An Intermediate Unit budget differs from that of a school district. An IU budget does not contain the functions of instruction, food service, transportation, and health services which are typically found in school district budgets. The major portion of the IU budget covers state-mandated services. These programs and services include:
The BCIU provides statistical data collection, assistance, and support in the negotiations and legislative liaison processes, serves as a clearinghouse on state bids, coordinates RFP processes for county-wide services, and provides related business management services in accounting, contracts, and more.
The BCIU provides schools with technical assistance, professional development, and resources to support their efforts in curriculum, instruction, assessment, school improvement, and related services. This includes seminars, network opportunities, product development, grant consortiums, and information dissemination, including but not limited to: curriculum coordinators, administrators’ conference, principals’ networking groups, and the BCIU Leadership Series.
The BCIU provides leadership and support for school reform, curriculum development, educational technology, and instructional improvement services for school districts, including but not limited to: Future Ready Index, PA Core Standards, School Improvement, Data Retreats, Pennsylvania Value Added Assessment System (PVAAS), educator effectiveness, literacy, mathematics, and summer workshops.
The BCIU provides staff Continuing Professional Education (CPE) services to school districts and educational personnel that include in-district presentations, large group workshops, content area investigations, and consultations.
The BCIU provides programs for guidance counselors, safe and drug free schools, School to Work, Career Pathways, English as a Second Language (ESL), and gifted programs. Opportunities include professional development, technical assistance, networking programs, and student events.
The BCIU provides educational technology professional development training for teachers, administrators, district staff, and BCIU staff, and district consultation for technology planning and training implementation. Instruction provides professional development in the effective integration of technology within the curriculum, preparing students for 21st century learning. Student technology events, summer enrichment programs, special events, and networking opportunities (i.e. Technology Advisory Group, Superintendents’ Advisory Committee) are also available to Berks County school districts. Additional services include: instructional media resources (content) and associated technical support, and consulting services, including: video-on-demand (Discovery Education), StarLab Planetariums, SIMCA educational kits, related hardware/software technology support (video conferencing tools), and courier services between BCIU and its client districts.
* The Department of Education mandated services is titled Instructional Materials Services (IMS). BCIU has chosen the name Educational Technology Services (ETS) for local services.