Whether you're stepping into PLTW leadership for the first time, navigating a role transition, or preparing for a new program launch, this guide provides clear steps, practical timelines, and ready-to-use checklists that remove the guesswork from implementation. It is designed to function as the resource administrators need from day one.
Preparing for Your PLTW Program
Strong PLTW implementation begins with understanding your financial and logistical commitments. Administrators should plan for three primary cost categories:
- Teacher Training:
PLTW Core Training, travel for in-person sessions if required, substitute costs, and optional follow-up certifications. To see training schedules and learn more, visit our PLTW Core Training site.
- Equipment and Materials:
Startup kits, consumable supplies, equipment replacement cycles, and storage considerations. Lead times vary, especially for Engineering programs. View our equipment & supplies resource page to get started.
- Digital and IT Readiness:
Devices, software, system compatibility, network requirements, assessment readiness, and ongoing maintenance. Visit our software site to view the specifications needed for your PLTW programs.
Schools benefit from building a multi‑year plan that accounts for equipment refresh cycles, anticipated enrollment changes, future training needs, and continuity during turnover.
Your PLTW Program Timeline
The following sequence reflects best practice for smooth implementation.
Step 1: Add or confirm your PLTW programs and courses.
Ensure your school is officially set up to offer the correct programs.
Step 2: Identify and register teachers for PLTW Core Training early.
This is the most time-sensitive step and should occur before spring whenever possible.
Step 3: Plan and publish your master schedule.
Include PLTW courses, confirm class sizes, and ensure teachers are assigned appropriately.
Step 4: Order equipment and materials.
Place orders with enough lead time for receiving, organizing, and configuring items. Engineering programs in particular require longer lead times.
Step 5: Prepare classrooms and digital systems.
Verify devices, software, network access, myPLTW permissions, and assessment setup.
Step 6: Final readiness check before Day One.
Ensure all credentials, curriculum access, equipment, materials, and safety components are in place.
Ensuring Continuity During Change
Turnover is a challenge many PLTW administrators will face during the lifecycle of a PLTW program. To protect your program from disruption, we encourage all PLTW coordinators to maintain a PLTW Program Continuity Guide. This document can be created locally and should include:
- Program overview and courses offered
- Teacher training status, credential history, and upcoming training requirements
- A complete equipment inventory and storage information
- Ordering history and documentation
- myPLTW access, permissions, and key system roles
- Budget information and multi‑year funding commitments
A consistent continuity process ensures programs remain active and high‑quality even when staff change roles.
Roles and Permissions: Who Does What
Understanding roles in PLTW systems and workflows allows administrators to assign responsibilities clearly and avoid bottlenecks.
- Program Coordinator (PC): This role is responsible for an overall district or stand-alone school account and serves as the primary point of contact for the account. This role can add or remove sites and programs, Site Coordinators, manage users, and complete annual renewal forms and participation surveys. Each district or stand-alone school must have up to two Program Coordinators.
- Site Coordinator (SC): This role is responsible for day-to-day implementation and management of PLTW programs and users at a specific school site. Each school site must have at least one Site Coordinator and may have up to two.
- Teacher: This role is responsible for classroom management, including managing student users, accessing and publishing course curriculum, and administering End-of-Course (EoC) Assessments.
- General User: This role supports PLTW program operations such as IT staff, purchasing agents, grant managers, etc., and has access to the store and basic elements of the website to help with paying invoices or placing orders.
A user who joins a school site is automatically given a teacher role. The Program or Site Coordinator can change the teacher role to appropriately fit the individual’s responsibilities as outlined above.
How to Create a myPLTW Educator Account
Teachers must have a myPLTW account before accessing curriculum or registering for Core Training. Steps below are paraphrased from PLTW’s official instructions.
Creating the Account
- Sign in at my.pltw.org and click “Join A Site.”
- Search for the school and select “Request to Join Site.”
- A Program Coordinator or Site Coordinator must approve the request.
Joining the School Site
Connecting to the school site is required if paying for Core Training with a purchase order.
- Sign in at my.pltw.org and click “Join A Site.”
- Search for the school and select “Request to Join Site.”
- A Program Coordinator or Site Coordinator must approve the request.
Once approved, the teacher receives the appropriate role and access within myPLTW.
How to Register for PLTW Core Training
After creating the myPLTW account and joining the school site, teachers can register for Core Training. Steps are paraphrased from PLTW’s official instructions.
Registration Steps
- Visit my.pltw.org and sign in.
- Select the “Professional Development” icon.
- Choose “Catalog” from the top menu.
- Browse or filter available tracks and select the desired Core Training experience.
- Click “View Track,” then “Start Track.”
- Review available training events and click “Register” for the preferred option.
- Complete the registration form and accept the attendee agreement.
- Proceed to Cart, then Checkout.
Payment Options
- Checkout through a school site allows payment via purchase order or invoice.
- Checkout as a guest requires payment by credit card and does not allow purchase orders.
- Teachers cannot use a purchase order unless their request to join the school site has been approved.
Important Notes
- A registration seat is not secured until checkout is complete.
- If a teacher cancels and attempts to re-register, the registration button may take up to 15 minutes to reappear.
- Two emails follow registration: a confirmation of registration and a confirmation of successful enrollment. If the second email does not arrive, registration is incomplete and support should be contacted.
Resources to Support Your Implementation
These resources provide the foundational support needed to keep your PLTW program running smoothly from onboarding through year‑round implementation.
💡 Bookmark them to ensure your team can troubleshoot issues, stay aligned on best practices, and access curriculum and platform updates whenever needed.
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PLTW FAQs & Knowledge CenterYour first stop for answers to common questions about accounts, training, implementation steps, technical requirements, assessments, and troubleshooting.
- PLTW Curriculum Guide
A comprehensive reference outlining course structures, prerequisites, standards alignment, and program-specific details to help administrators make informed scheduling and planning decisions.