The AIU provides specialized education services to 42 suburban public school districts and five career and technical centers in Allegheny County.

Funded by federal, state, county and private grants, the AIU coordinates more than 130 programs designed to help infants, young children, students and adults.

Pennsylvania’s intermediate units were created in 1971 in an effort to help school districts operate more efficiently and meet the specialized needs of their students.

On the contrary, intermediate units exist to serve school districts and provide leadership which will improve local operations.

Although intermediate units are an extension of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, they differ greatly from local school districts in several ways.