New York City, NY – In the Footsteps of History, an adventure-based educational platform is proud to announce the release of its newest immersive learning game, In the Footsteps of Matthew Henson, which was made in partnership with 3D experts, Ultisim.

This learning module illuminates the remarkable journey of Matthew Henson, an African American explorer who achieved a monumental feat in the early 20th century by becoming the first person to reach the North Pole. Despite this groundbreaking accomplishment, Henson’s name is often overshadowed by that of his better-known companion, Admiral Robert Peary.

 “My family and I are so proud to see my great-grandfather’s legacy being carried forward in this way, says Aviaq Henson. “It’s truly inspiring to see how his adventures and discoveries are being shared with the younger generation. It’s such a good reminder of the importance of passing down these untold stories.”

“This immersive game takes inspiration from Henson’s historic expedition to the top of the world, allowing players to embark on a thrilling journey through the Arctic wilderness, engaging with the northernmost Inuit community of Greenland, who played an important role in the expedition,” says CEO of In the Footsteps of History , Denis Belliveau, an Emmy nominated filmmaker, Explorers Club member, and the creator, writer, and director of the game.

In the Footsteps of History’s immersive Journeys, presented by world-famous explorers, fill a much-needed role in an often challenging subject to teach. The program’s unique mix of documentary-quality videos and cutting-edge, web-based 3D games and simulations https://prod-demo.itf-ibn-battuta-build.pages.dev/, provide a valuable teaching tool for building knowledge, expanding world views, and fostering respect for other cultures.

“We believe it’s essential to highlight the accomplishments of individuals like Matthew Henson, whose remarkable feats deserve recognition,” said Richard Boyd, CEO of QuestSIM, funders of In the Footsteps of History’s new 3D simulations. “This educational simulation game aims to provide educators and students with a deeper understanding of Henson’s legacy and the importance of recognizing diverse perspectives in historical narratives.”

In the Footsteps of History’s programs are designed to work on existing classroom technology with no downloads required and offer standards-aligned lesson plans that spark meaningful discussions in the classroom with measurable outcomes. For more information on In the Footsteps of History’s  journeys, and to access free trials, visit  https://inthefootsteps.org/free-trial/

About In the Footsteps of History
In the Footsteps of History is a tech-forward social studies enrichment program based on journeys of discovery, comprising 3D gaming, activities, and optional VR delivered through beautifully crafted modules that enrich any World History, Global Studies, Economics, Geography, or Ancient History curriculum. For demos and free trials, visit  https://inthefootsteps.org

About UltiSim
QuestSim is proudly created by UltiSim, a company powered by a unique combination of leading-edge gaming technology, learning simulation, and artificial intelligence expertise. Based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, UltiSim was founded by executives from Lockheed Martin and IBM with deep backgrounds in computer gaming, building fully immersive 3D simulation experiences that solve real-world problems. UltiSim empowers companies to transition from static two-dimensional data to interactive, three dimensional, real-time data visualization, and analytics. UltiSim creates new opportunities for businesses through AI-powered simulations for immersive training, collaboration, and customer insight. Learn more by visiting  https://www.ultisim.com

Baldwin, NY – Youth mental health is a crisis nationwide. Many are struggling to manage the stress and complications of everyday life. Studies show that students who are healthy both physically and mentally are more likely to excel in all aspects of academic achievement, including academic performance, education behavior, and cognitive skills and attitudes.

As a part of an ongoing initiative to enhance the health and wellness resources available to its students and families, the Baldwin Union Free School District (UFSD) is proud to launch the Baldwin Schools Wellness Center and to be among the first school districts in the nation to establish such a resource directly on campus at no cost to families.

In partnership with PM Pediatric Care and located at the Baldwin Middle School, the Baldwin Schools Wellness Center provides immediate access to behavioral health care and resources dedicated to mental wellness for students from elementary through high school, with convenient and flexible hours during and after school. This innovative, collaborative approach to connected care is key to supporting students’ whole health needs while optimizing their learning experiences.

“Nurturing the ‘whole child’ continues to be a key focus for the Baldwin School District,” said Dr. Shari L. Camhi, superintendent of schools for Baldwin School District. “We understand that to provide a well-rounded, high-quality education, we must first ensure our student’s emotional wellness. The Baldwin Schools Wellness Center, under a grant from former Congresswoman Kathleen Rice, is a significant step in this direction, benefiting not only our district and therefore, the Baldwin community. Through this new resource, we will foster a positive and nurturing environment that promotes emotional and academic well-being for everyone involved. We are extremely proud to be among the first school districts in the nation to offer such comprehensive services at no cost to our families directly onsite. Thank you to our Board of Education, administrators, the Pupil Services department, all of our staff who helped bring this to fruition, as well as our partners at PM Pediatric Care. We look forward to seeing the Baldwin Schools Wellness Center’s continued success.”

Additional services offered through the Baldwin Schools Wellness Center include:

• On-site, licensed pediatric and adolescent behavioral health professionals offering evidence-based therapeutic care;
• A team of school nurses, counselors, and district personnel to deliver quality mental and behavioral health services;
• Crisis consultation and management, individual and group therapy, creative arts therapy, assessment and behavioral interventions, and professional development for school personnel; and
• Safe and comfortable counseling rooms, mindfulness area, transition room, and academic tutoring space.

“I’m delighted to be part of the opening of the Baldwin Schools Wellness Center,” said Dr. Jeanne Marconi, Vice President of Clinical Integration and School Health at PM Pediatric Care. “Our commitment to bridging the gap in mental and behavioral healthcare between home and school extends beyond the walls of our PM Pediatric Care offices and into the heart of the communities we serve. The Baldwin Schools Wellness Center takes an innovative approach and allows us to help build an ecosystem of connected care between school, therapy, caregivers, community, and pediatricians. We are honored to join hands with the Baldwin School district in providing expert therapeutic interventions for students in a way that meets their personal needs.”

About Baldwin UFSD

The Baldwin Union Free School District (UFSD) is an award-winning K-12 public school district located on Long Island in Baldwin, NY. With a total enrollment of approximately 4500, the district consists of seven schools, a career and technical program, and a universal pre-kindergarten program. Baldwin UFSD has received recognition for its innovative and rigorous academic programs, numerous partnerships, and redesigned classrooms, and prides itself on helping students become future-ready. Some of the district’s innovative initiatives encompass the school-to-career-based programs—e.g., 8^th Grade Pre-Academies and 9^th–12^th Grade Academic Academies—a community college partnership, an extensive catalog of dual credit and Advanced Placement (AP) courses, a 6-12 ELA (English Language Arts) and social studies curriculum tied to news literacy, the Senior Experience course, as well as nationally recognized arts and athletics. The district’s graduation rate is currently 99%. Baldwin UFSD embraces its diverse community and school motto, “We are innovative. We are inclusive. We are involved. We are Baldwin.” For more information, visit  www.baldwinschools.org or connect on Facebook ( BaldwinSchools), Instagram ( Baldwin_Schools) and LinkedIn ( BaldwinSchools).

PM Pediatric Care School Health

PM Pediatric Care is the nation’s largest provider of specialized pediatric urgent care with nearly 80 locations in more than 15 states. Established as a premier alternative to a children’s emergency department, the organization has since grown into a robust network of world-class pediatric healthcare initiatives, including comprehensive behavioral health services in communities and schools. PM Pediatric Care’s School Health program works with school districts to bridge the gap between school, home, primary care pediatricians, and behavioral health providers. They aim to support students’ whole health needs and optimize learning by offering flexible appointments during and after the school day. The program provides students with access to licensed and credentialed healthcare professionals, improving attendance and supporting academic success. For more information about PM Pediatric Care, visit pmpediatriccare.com.

DENVER ( BUSINESS WIRE)–MindSpark Learning®, a nonprofit organization specializing in extraordinary learning experiences, conducted vital market research to understand evolving needs for professional growth and development. The research, titled “The State of Professional Learning”, reveals valuable insights into professionals’ learning goals and preferences.

The State of Professional Learning reveals crucial insights that could significantly impact a company’s retention, productivity, and innovation. Three key trends emerge from the research: collaborative professional development (PD) encourages teamwork and knowledge sharing, adaptive PD fosters quick adaptation to changing environments, and stewardship PD promotes proactive problem-solving for community challenges. MindSpark offers tailored recommendations to address these trends, providing practical advice for unique professional development needs.

For years, MindSpark has served professionals with learning experiences that help them solve their most urgent problems. The State of Professional Learning is a testament to their commitment to understand and solve market needs.

“At MindSpark, we are dedicated to supporting professionals with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in today’s evolving landscape. This research reflects our commitment to understanding the complex needs of individuals seeking professional development and shaping learning experiences that propel them towards success. We are excited to see how these insights will contribute to professionals’ continuous growth,” said MindSpark CEO Kellie Lauth.

To view MindSpark’s State of Professional Development research, visit https://www.mindspark.org/state-of-professional-learning.

About MindSpark Learning

MindSpark Learning® (MindSpark) is a nonprofit that activates educators to solve society’s biggest challenges by providing transformative professional learning experiences. MindSpark creates and facilitates professional development opportunities using a foundation of innovation, inclusion, wellbeing, and workforce literacy. MindSpark has impacted over 90K educators and 2.7M students in all 50 states including D.C., as well as 88 countries. MindSpark nurtures meaningful relationships with more than 1K industry and community partners. For more information, please visit www.mindspark.org.

North Carolina based QoreInsights announced today the launch of a MicroGrant program where they will award three schools with free site wide licenses for unlimited use of their AI-enabled personalized professional learning platform, The Classroom Education Plan© (CEP). The granted award will begin in fall 2024 and extend until the end of the 2025 school year. It includes support for on-boarding and professional learning to ensure the success of the initiative. The total approximate value of the three awards is over $30,000.

The Classroom Education Plan© (CEP) supports teachers and coaches helping them to improve their core instructional practice. CEP uses a job-embedded professional learning approach, coach-support that utilizes AI to guide
every teacher to targeted evidence-based instructional strategies, tracks impact, and enables real-time insights into student progress and well-being. “Millions of educators across the nation echo the same need: to provide teachers with high-quality professional learning that translates to measurable improvement in student achievement, engagement, and well-being,” said Dr. Toni Shub, Founder and CEO of QoreInsights. “We developed CEP to create equity for both teacher and student learning. CEP uses learning engineering and a decision support system to equitably guide every teacher to the most impactful evidence-based instructional methods for their specific classroom to address whole-child student needs, including feelings of safety and internalizing behaviors.”

Three elementary schools will be selected to become QorePremium Partners and will receive CEP licenses for all general education K-6 teachers at the awarded sites (administrators and coaches are free). Schools will be able to award teachers up
to 36 job-embedded continuing education credits!

This innovative and engaging platform includes an entire school year of personalized needs assessments (3x per year) that elevate teacher and student voice, custom-ranked, evidence-based instructional strategies for every classroom, and an easy-to-use, teacher-designed progress monitoring system. Additionally educators will receive expert guidance for coaching evidence-based strategies and effectively leading PLCs, Administrator dashboards to see teacher engagement, needs assessments, strategies selected, and impact on student learning and well-being
and responsive technical support from QoreInsights’ customer success team.

The AI-Enabled Personalized Professional Learning MicroGrant is open to any learning institution serving K-6 students. Winners will be selected based on their vision for involving their learning community and creative plans for
engaging all members, school wide.

For further information about the grant, go to
https://qoreinsights.com/qoreinsights-microgrant-2024/

ABOUT QOREINSIGHTS:
QoreInsights, an education technology company, stands at the forefront of educational advancement, uniquely fusing technology, pedagogy, and learning sciences to transform the educational landscape. Our flagship product, the Classroom Education Plan© (CEP), an AI-driven SaaS platform, is a job-embedded, continuous professional learning and coach-support system. We take pride in our diverse, multidisciplinary team that applies learning sciences to teaching and learning, enabling deep and innovative collaboration between product
developers, educators, researchers, learning engineers, and AI experts. With a strong commitment to continuous improvement and to fostering equity in education through the ethical and responsible use of AI, QoreInsights has partnered with AI ENGAGE Institute and Vanderbilt University as research partners. For more information, visit the QoreInsights website and follow QoreInsights on LinkedIn for
updates. For more information, contact Dr. Toni Shub at info@qoreinsights.com.

Classworks®, an award-winning special education and tiered intervention platform, is validated by the National Center on Intensive Intervention (NCII) as an evidence-based reading intervention. The best-in-class program is listed on the  Academic Intervention Tools Chart and joins Classworks Universal Screener and Progress Monitoring in the company’s highly rated, NCII-validated offerings.

“We are excited to see Classworks Reading Intervention added to our portfolio of NCII-validated resources. For 20 years, districts across the country have used Classworks individualized interventions as an essential component of their DBI processes with  tremendous results,” says Melissa Sinunu, Classworks president and chief operating officer. “The recent focus on literacy across the country makes it more important than ever for districts to have access to evidence-based, impactful reading resources. We are proud that Classworks meets NCII’s rigorous technical standards for inclusion.”

NCII is a nationally recognized organization whose mission is to “support the implementation of intensive intervention for students with severe and persistent learning and social, emotional, or behavioral needs using data-based individualization (DBI).” For the Academic Intervention Tool review, NCII’s Technical Review Committee examined study quality and design, psychometric reliability of study measures, and outcome measures, among other qualifications. Classworks Reading Intervention received convincing and partially convincing evidence in the categories of Study Design, Participants, and Broader Measures.

“Douglas County Schools has used Classworks as part of its tiered intervention process since 2019. Knowing that a respected organization like NCII lists Classworks as an evidence-based resource reiterates that we made the right decision to make this high-quality tool available to our students. It’s so important that our teachers have the peace of mind and confidence that the programs they are using are valid, reliable, and effective. Kudos to Classworks for making the list,” says Dr. Kacia Thompson, director of extended learning and MTSS, Douglas County Schools, GA, and president of The Student Support Team Association for Georgia Educators (SSTAGE). 

‍‍About Classworks‍

Classworks leverages technology and evidence-based learning practices to transform how school districts support students’ academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs. Our CASE-endorsed, comprehensive Special Education and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) solution includes academic screeners, math and reading interventions, specially designed instruction, progress monitoring, and powerful data. Classworks Universal Screener and Progress Monitoring Assessments are validated by the National Center on Intensive Intervention (NCII).

Santa Barbara, CA —  ParentSquare, the award-winning unified school-home engagement platform for K12 education, has been named to the 2024 edition of the GSV 150: GSV’s annual list of the top 150 private companies transforming digital learning and workforce skills.

The GSV 150 are VC- and PE-backed private companies experiencing top-line growth with minimum double-digit millions in revenue. The 2040 cohort collectively reaches ~3B people and generates ~$23B in revenue. GSV made the selections by evaluating over 2,000 private companies across five key factors — revenue scale, revenue growth, user reach, geographic diversification, and margin profile, to determine the top 150 companies globally.

“We are gratified to have been counted among the world’s most transformational growth companies in digital learning and workforce upskilling,” ParentSquare President and Founder Anupama Vaid said. “This recognition is a testament to our mission of developing industry-leading technologies that bridge school-home communication gaps. From groundbreaking AI integrations to new seamless communication tools, we remain focused on helping schools foster family engagement now and well into the future.”

Vaid has also been named an honoree in the ASU+GSV Summit’s Power Of Women Awards. The awards recognize female founders, CEOs, and presidents of commercial and philanthropic organizations that are focused on education and skills innovation at scale. Vaid and her fellow award winners will be honored at the 2024 ASU+GSV Summit, in San Diego.

In addition to receiving the Power Of Women Award, Vaid will be presenting at the summit. In line with the 2024 summit’s theme of exploring the limitless potential of determined, collaborative, and entrepreneurial leaders, Vaid will speak about building a product people are obsessed with.

“The world is adapting to seismic shifts from generative AI,” says GSV Ventures Partner Luben Pampoulov. “AI co-pilots, AI tutors, AI content generators – AI is ubiquitous, and differentiation is increasingly critical. The GSV 150 is an impressive group of edtech companies that are leveraging AI and driving positive outcomes for learners and society.”

Interested parties can view the full 2024 GSV 150 list at  https://www.asugsvsummit.com/gsv-150. The full list of Power Of Women Award honorees can be seen at  https://www.asugsvsummit.com/honorees

About ParentSquare

ParentSquare is the leading provider of modern family and community engagement solutions for K-12 schools. Millions of educators and 17 million families in all 50 states rely on the unified platform that includes mass notifications, classroom communications, school websites, and other communication-based services – all expertly designed to better connect schools with families to improve student outcomes and school success.

About GSV Ventures

GSV Ventures, a multi-stage venture capital firm focused on the $7+ trillion global education and workforce skills sector, manages and invests from GSV Ventures Fund III. GSV has invested $600M+ in innovators across “Pre-K to Gray” learning, including Class Technologies, ClassDojo, Coursera, Coursehero, Degreed, Guild, Lead School, PhysicsWallah, Photomath, and Valenture Institute.

About ASU+GSV

Through a deep partnership between Arizona State University (ASU) and Global Silicon Valley (GSV),  ASU+GSV Summit has become the world’s most important and impactful annual gathering of 7,000+ “Pre-K to Gray” education leaders. Today, the ASU+GSV platform also includes the inaugural  ASU+GSV AIR Show exploring the AI Revolution in EDU.

PARAMUS, N.J./PRNewswire/ — Savvas Learning Company, a next-generation K-12 learning solutions leader, is excited to announce that it has been named to the 2024 edition of the GSV 150, an annual list of the top 150 private companies transforming digital learning and workforce skills. This is the second year in a row that Savvas has been named to the GSV 150.

“At Savvas, we are committed to developing innovative learning solutions that are powered by the most advanced technology to help educators meet the needs of all students,” said Bethlam Forsa, CEO of Savvas Learning Company. “Savvas is honored to be recognized among the exceptional companies on the GSV 150 who are champions of educational technology — including new AI-enabled systems — to make for a richer, more personalized teaching and learning experience for all.”

GSV is a global community and investment platform singularly focused on elevating the scope and scale of innovation in the $7 trillion education and workforce sector. It estimates that together these 150 companies reach roughly 3 billion people — almost half of the global population — and generate approximately $23 billion in revenue.

Savvas was chosen from more than 2,000+ global companies revolutionizing the world of education technology, from Pre-K-12 to workforce learning. GSV Ventures evaluated these companies on five criteria — revenue scale, revenue growth, active learner reach, international reach, and margin profile — to determine the global GSV 150 list.

With an innovation mindset and a focus on technology to personalize instruction at scale, Savvas empowers educators and engages students with high-quality, interactive PreK-12 learning solutions. It recently acquired Outlier.org and its portfolio of online, asynchronous college-level courses that combine cinematic videos and charismatic professors, enabling high school students to earn dual credit while never having to leave their school building. The acquisition will allow Savvas to offer an immersive, engaging college learning experience to millions of high school students and increase educational equity, access, and opportunity.

In 2023, Savvas acquired Whooo’s Reading and its cutting-edge AI-driven technology, which Savvas is thoughtfully integrating into its digital ecosystem of innovative learning solutions. Savvas believes that AI’s game-changing capabilities have the potential to take personalized learning to new heights while providing teachers time-saving tools to make their jobs easier, enabling them to spend more time interacting with students.

“The world is adapting to seismic shifts from generative AI,” said Luben Pampoulov, partner at GSV Ventures. “AI co-pilots, AI tutors, AI content generators — AI is ubiquitous, and differentiation is increasingly critical. The GSV 150 is an impressive group of edtech companies that are leveraging AI and driving positive outcomes for learners and society.”

Visit GSV 150 for the full list of 2024 winners.

In addition to Savvas being selected for inclusion on the GSV 150 list, Forsa has also been chosen to speak at the ASU+GSV Summit 2024 in San Diego, in panel discussions focusing on the AI Revolution in Digital Education as well as K-12 schools and content.

ABOUT SAVVAS LEARNING COMPANY
At Savvas, we believe learning should inspire. By combining new ideas, new ways of thinking, and new ways of interacting, we design engaging, next-generation K-12 learning solutions that give all students the best opportunity to succeed. Our award-winning, high-quality instructional materials span every grade level and discipline, from evidence-based, standards-aligned core curricula to supplemental and intervention programs to state-of-the art assessment tools — all designed to meet the needs of every learner. Savvas products are used by millions of students and educators in more than 90 percent of the 13,000+ public school districts across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, as well as globally in more than 125 countries. To learn more, visit Savvas Learning Company. Savvas Learning Company’s products are also available for sale in Canada through its subsidiary, Rubicon.

ABOUT ASU+GSV SUMMIT
The ASU+GSV Summit is the premier global event focused on technology innovation in education and skills. We believe that ALL people deserve equal access to the future. Started in 2010 with a collaboration between Arizona State University (ASU) and Global Silicon Valley (GSV), the annual Summit connects leading minds focused on transforming society and business around learning and work. Educators, investors, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs from around the world come together to innovate the future of education for all.

CHICAGO – This week, the U.S. Senate introduced a bipartisan resolution designating March 4-8, 2024 as ‘‘National Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Week’’ to recognize the critical role SEL plays in supporting the academic success and overall well-being of students, educators, and families. The resolution was introduced by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) and Susan Collins (R-ME). 

President Joe Biden also recognized “National SEL Week” in a letter this week underscoring the importance of SEL to support the academic, social, emotional, and mental well-being of students that were a critical part of the Biden Administration’s two signature legislative achievements—the American Rescue Plan Act and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. 

This second annual “National SEL Week” comes at a critical time for students’ academic recovery and social and emotional development. With COVID-relief funds ending, education leaders are increasingly seeking sound, evidence-based investments in students’ learning and development. 

A robust body of evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of SEL on academic outcomes. A 2023 meta-analysis led by Yale University reviewed more than 400 studies and found that students participating in SEL at school had higher “school functioning,” including grades, test scores, attendance, homework completion, and engagement. The research further demonstrates that SEL creates better conditions for learning as it found students saw decreases in aggression and bullying, anxiety, stress, depression, suicidality;  felt safer at schools, and reported higher levels of inclusion, connectedness and healthy relationships.

Statement from U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) 

“In America, we are facing a national youth mental health crisis, with children facing trauma and significant stress at home, in the community, and in school settings. We must focus on social and emotional learning to help students succeed both inside and outside the classroom. That begins with providing teachers with the tools needed to help students develop life skills. I’m introducing this resolution to designate this week as National Social and Emotional Learning Week and raise awareness around the need to support students’ social and emotional well-being.”

Statement from U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME)

“Every child deserves a learning environment that is welcoming and enriching. By showing students how to develop their empathy skills, express themselves, and respect others, social and emotional learning can help students achieve academic success, build strong relationships, and prepare for a lifetime of success.”

Statement from CASEL President & CEO Dr. Aaliyah A. Samuel

​​“We find ourselves in the aftermath of a global pandemic, in the wake of a youth mental health crisis and ongoing academic recovery. Social and emotional learning has never been more important to help address the challenges facing our students, and this bipartisan resolution demonstrates our nation’s shared commitment to the learning and well-being of all students. I want to thank Senators Durbin and Collins for their leadership, and call on leaders across the country to follow the evidence and support students’ academic, social and emotional needs.”

Celebrating National SEL Week 2024

Across the country, there is overwhelming support and demand for social and emotional learning (SEL). Young people, educators, families, business leaders, and others are focused on the critical skills and environments needed for academic success, healthy relationships, and brighter futures. National SEL Week is a time to come together in support of our nation’s students and showcase the powerful combination of support and evidence for SEL, culminating with International SEL Day on March 8. 

This year’s celebrations for National SEL Week and International SEL Day focused on Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Leaders. To see how some districts are celebrating, check out this video from North Carolina and this story from New Jersey. 

CASEL is a nonpartisan, nonprofit that founded the field of social and emotional learning. Today, we collaborate with leading experts and districts, schools, and states nationwide to drive research, guide practice, and inform policy. https://casel.org/

Charlotte, NC — Discovery Education today announced that its no-cost, augmented-reality (AR) learning resource— Sandbox AR—has surpassed the 1 million download milestone in the Apple iTunes store. In 2023, Sandbox AR was named was named Best XR/VR/AI Product as part of the  GESS Education Awards and was the winner of the first prize in the Hardware, AV, AR/AV, Robotics and Digital Device category at the BETT 2023 Awards. Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital resources nurture student curiosity and drive deeper engagement in instruction. 

Designed as a companion to the award-winning Discovery Education Experience K-12 platform, Sandbox AR is an augmented reality “maker” app that brings immersive technology and content into the classroom. Within Sandbox AR, users can create virtual worlds and populate them with hundreds of unique objects from history, the built world, science, nature, and more. Sandbox AR also gives students new ways to express themselves and demonstrate their learning through features like photo taking or video walkthroughs with their own voice over. Sandbox AR even offers a mode that allows users to scale up and inhabit their own life size virtual environments. 

For those new to AR, Sandbox AR includes many pre-built sandboxes exploring diverse subjects such as ancient Egypt, space exploration, Mayan civilization, road construction, and more, with additional sandboxes coming soon. Discovery Education is also making available several free, pre-built lessons educators can use with the app to familiarize themselves with integrating AR into classroom instruction. Subscribers to Discovery Education Experience or Discovery Education Espresso have access to additional Sandbox AR features, and soon, Sandbox AR will be compatible with Chromebooks. 

“Discovery Education is thrilled at reception educators have given Sandbox AR,” said Phil Birchinall, Discovery Education’s Senior Director of Immersive Content. “Achieving this milestone will motivate our team to continue to create high-quality digital resources that nurtures student curiosity and greater engagement in instruction.”  

Among the other immersive learning resources offered by Discovery Education are:   

Experience Edge at Hudson Yards. In this exciting immersive virtual experience, students visit the Western Hemisphere’s highest outdoor Skydeck to learn facts about its complex engineering, the history of the Hudson Yards neighborhood, and the complex construction challenges deep in the heart of New York City. 

Timepod Adventures. Created in partnership with Verizon, TimePod Adventures offers state-of-the-art AR students can interact with and control. Using TimePod Adventures, students travel through time and visit amazing locations, facing challenges and solving problems as they go. A web-based companion app allows friends or classmates to join learners in solving problems from anywhere, helping to build important collaboration skills. 

To learn more about Discovery Education’s entire suite of AR/VR resources, visit the company’s immersive learning website  here.  

For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions visit www.discoveryeducation.com and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.  

About Discovery Education 
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and corporate partnerships, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com. 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo./PRNewswire-PRWeb/ —  TouchMath, a multisensory math program that makes learning crucial mathematical concepts accessible and clear for students who struggle to understand grade-level content, announces the launch of  TouchMath Extend and  Dyscalculia Extension. These groundbreaking solutions aim to bridge mathematical gaps and advance dyscalculia advocacy. Coinciding with two significant milestones, International Dyscalculia Day (March 3rd) and the 50th anniversary of the term  ‘Developmental Dyscalculia,’ coined in March 1974, TouchMath reaffirms its commitment to providing essential resources and support to students experiencing mathematical barriers.

“Considering TouchMath’s unwavering commitment to educational equity over nearly five decades, the launch of TouchMath Extend and Dyscalculia Extension signifies a pivotal moment in our mission,” stated Dr. Sandra Elliott, Chief Academic Officer at TouchMath. “Recognizing that approximately 75% of students with dyscalculia also experience dyslexia, it’s clear that both conditions warrant equal recognition and support. Through these innovative solutions, we aim to not only raise awareness but also provide concrete assistance, empowering students to overcome mathematical challenges. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ladislav Kosc’s pioneering work, it’s time to dispel misconceptions, deepen understanding, and champion inclusive education where every learner, regardless of their challenges, can thrive.”

Dyscalculia, estimated to  affect 3-7% of the population, is a learning disability with profound impacts on academic performance and daily life. Challenges include struggles with basic math operations and understanding mathematical concepts. However, only about  15% of students have been screened for dyscalculia, while  40% of math teachers report students performing below grade level. Unlike dyslexia, dyscalculia lacks systematic tracking in the U.S. despite the  urgent need for skilled STEM professionals. While more than 45 U.S. states have enacted dyslexia-related legislation, fewer than ten states have passed laws addressing math intervention and instruction since 2021.

“While dyslexia-related legislation has seen significant progress, there’s a notable gap in addressing math intervention and instruction,” notes Dr. Chelsi Brosh, Vice President, Product Innovation at TouchMath. “TouchMath Extend and Dyscalculia Extension fill this void, offering comprehensive solutions to support students struggling with math.”

• Dyscalculia Extension Overview: Dyscalculia Extension offers tailored support through a multisensory program, providing comprehensive resources like 60 math games/tasks and 180 downloadable activity sheets. Aligned with Standards Edition curricula, it ensures adherence to educational standards and includes supporting tools such as graphic organizers and dyscalculia-specific strategies. With diverse activities catering to various learning styles, Dyscalculia Extension is versatile, aligns with DSM-5 standards, and integrates seamlessly into special and general education classrooms.

In addition to dyscalculia advocacy, TouchMath acknowledges the diverse challenges faced by students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in mathematics education and other STEM subjects.  Research supports the effectiveness of multisensory approaches in enhancing mathematical learning for students with disabilities, and TouchMath Extend aligns with these findings, offering tailored solutions to address the diverse learning needs of all students.

• TouchMath Extend Overview: TouchMath Extend is an innovative multisensory extended school year, summer school, and ongoing math intervention solution designed to transform math learning. It offers a tailored 12-week curriculum focusing on skill remediation and teacher support through on-demand video training. The program combines traditional workbooks with digital math games to enhance comprehension and provides long-term value through the TouchMath digital platform. TouchMath Extend prepares students for future success while embodying TouchMath’s commitment to comprehensive math education.

“Reflecting on our founding mission nearly 50 years ago, TouchMath remains dedicated to creating intentional learning experiences for students, especially those facing vulnerabilities,” said Sean Lockwood, Chief Executive Officer at TouchMath. “We will continue championing accessibility and inclusivity in mathematics education, paving the way for a brighter future for all learners.”

TouchMath’s commitment to dyscalculia advocacy goes beyond its latest product launches. In the last year, TouchMath released the free  DySc screener and an  extensive whitepaper to increase awareness and understanding of dyscalculia and promote efforts to ensure that all children have access to the support they need.

To learn more about TouchMath and its research-proven solutions, visit  https://touchmath.com/.

For more on dyscalculia, visit  https://touchmath.com/dyscalculia-101/.

About TouchMath
TouchMath provides a wide range of curriculum and tools for educators and their students who struggle to understand grade-level content. TouchMath is committed to maximizing student potential through its worldwide delivery of hands-on math programs, cultivating success with individuals of all abilities. Since 1975, TouchMath has delivered the only multi-sensory math program that uses the numeral as a manipulative, bringing students along the evidence-based Concrete-Representational-Abstract continuum for mathematics. Visit  touchmath.com to learn more.

BEAVERTON, Oregon — Vernier Science Education has named Jill Hedrick as its new chief executive officer (CEO). With a wealth of leadership experience in the education technology industry, Hedrick will lead the 40-plus-year science company as it continues to grow as a values-aligned Perpetual Purpose Trust dedicated to helping educators build a science literate society.

“What stood out to me about Vernier Science Education is its longstanding history in serving science educators worldwide,” said Hedrick. “My arrival to the company is in support of the continuation of this journey and I am honored to join the team. The roots of Vernier Science Education extend deep into the communities it serves, and as we continue to grow, keeping the legacy of providing for educators, employees, and the community at large will be a top priority of mine.”

Hedrick is a passionate leader focused on the intersection of technology and social impact. Prior to joining Vernier Science Education, she held executive positions at NWEA, Turnitin, Edmentum/APEX Learning, and Discovery Education, among other technology companies. She has deep experience serving both domestic and international markets, and creating results-oriented, scalable, and diverse teams.

“While Jill’s successful education career spans more than a decade, her passion for education stems from her growing up with a father who was an educator,” said John Wheeler, the outgoing CEO of Vernier Science Education who will remain an active advisor for the company. “Our organization’s robust foundation, enriched culture, and values ingrained by the Perpetual Purpose Trust will be strengthened under Jill’s steadfast leadership.”

As a recently formed Perpetual Purpose Trust, Vernier Science Education is able to uphold its core mission and values in perpetuity. This ensures that its social and charitable objectives remain a priority, secures the futures of its valued employees, and reinvests profits back into the business while sharing benefits across employees, customers, and communities. 

With the transition to a Perpetual Purpose Trust, Vernier Science Education has joined other socially-conscious organizations, foundations, and companies committed to long-term sustainability, fostering a sense of purpose and commitment that extends far into the future.

Hedrick is the third CEO in Vernier Science Education’s 40-plus-year history. She succeeds Dave Vernier, co-founder of Vernier Science Education, and John Wheeler, who has been CEO of the company since 2015.  

To learn more about Vernier Science Education, visit www.vernier.com.

About Vernier Science Education

For more than 40 years, Vernier Science Education has been committed to using our experience, knowledge, and passion to create the best and most reliable solutions for STEM education. Our comprehensive solutions include hardware, software, content, assessment, professional development, and technical support. As a Perpetual Purpose Trust, Vernier is able to uphold its core mission, values, and deep commitment to being an authentic and trusted partner to STEM educators indefinitely. We are dedicated to partnering with educators and communities to build a STEM-literate society where students grow up to become knowledgeable citizens who can solve problems, fully contribute to their communities, and drive innovation. For more information, visit www.vernier.com.

COSTA MESA, Calif. — BenQ, an internationally renowned provider of visual display and collaboration solutions, today announced the Spring Independent School District (ISD) in Houston has selected and installed almost 1,800 BenQ Boards in K-12 classrooms across the 45 schools in the district. Purchased as part of Spring ISD’s most recent school bond, the BenQ Boards were chosen over other smart board vendors because of the rich and forward-thinking feature set the BenQ Boards offer, including ease of use and flexibility for teachers, advanced learning tools for students, and free built-in remote management solutions for IT.

“When we invited the entire district to come in and test drive different smart boards, everyone voted nearly unanimously for the BenQ Board,” said Joe Holecek, Spring ISD’s manager of campus technology support. “They hit all our needs, from those of our teachers and students to our technology department. We’ve deployed half the BenQ Boards in our classrooms so far, and it’s been so positive that the other half can’t wait because they know how much the boards offer.”

Spring ISD Teachers Benefit From BenQ Board’s Tap ‘N Teach Technology
While preparing students for the future, the BenQ Boards are also designed to eliminate the steep learning curve and complicated tasks that typical smart boards can overburden teachers with. The teacher-friendly experience starts immediately at sign-in. The industry’s only germ-resistant BenQ Boards boast BenQ’s Tap ‘N Teach technology, which features one-tap NFC log-in to load lesson materials and interactive teaching apps, cloud storage, settings, and tools instantly and securely.

Teachers can use their BenQ Board as a whiteboard, display, computer, and wireless screen-sharing system thanks to BenQ’s license-free EZWrite 6 software. It’s packed with classroom tools for all subjects, including timers, rulers, protractors, compasses, and more. EZWrite 6 also lets educators save whiteboard sessions in the cloud, allowing them to continue giving lessons at a later date or allowing students to access lessons on any device and refer to them later. They can also open documents and image files directly on the whiteboard to facilitate discussions. To complement the experience, the split-screen windows function enables multiple applications to be opened side by side with no need to tap between content, making it even easier to conduct lessons and further comprehension. With the InstaShare wireless screen sharing capability, teachers can share their own laptop screens wirelessly as they move around the room or allow multiple students to share their device screens simultaneously. These built-in features provide teachers with much-needed flexibility to teach their own way.

Spring ISD Students Benefit From BenQ’s EZWrite 6 and InstaShare
In addition to tools that make teachers’ lives easier, the BenQ Boards feature tools that empower all students. EZWrite is packed with whiteboard features that boost participation. This includes a scalable whiteboard that can grow to any size project, split screen capabilities, text scanning, AI-powered text-to-speech and multilanguage support, and more. With InstaShare 2, students can share their thoughts to the screen no matter what device they’re using, with up to nine users able to share simultaneously. Together, EZWrite and InstaShare provide students with the necessary skills for the future of learning and the workforce; encourage creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking; and build student agency.

Spring ISD IT Staff Benefit From License-Free Software for Central Management
BenQ has long understood that IT and technology staff are instrumental in the maintenance and management of new EdTech. They need resources and tools that will help them maintain school technology and integrate with their chosen platforms without yearly fees. BenQ helps to streamline setup, maintenance, and monitoring with its subscription-free Device Management Solution (DMS), Account Management System (AMS), and Identity and Access Management (IAM). BenQ Boards also benefit from BenQ’s X-Sign Broadcast software, which turns any BenQ smart board in the school into broadcast signage and allows schools to keep everyone informed and up to date on events, safety protocols, and emergencies. As a result of these capabilities, schools can significantly reduce the time and effort it takes to register, set up, and maintain BenQ Boards across a district and use them much more flexibly and securely.

“Spring ISD’s selection of BenQ Boards underscores the robustness of our classroom solutions,” said Bob Wudeck, senior director of business development at BenQ Education. “With features like Tap ‘N Teach, EZWrite 6, InstaShare, and our IT solutions, educators and staff gain unparalleled flexibility, while students are empowered with tools for future success.”

More information on BenQ is available at www.BenQ.com/en-us/education.html.

About BenQ Education
BenQ Education is helping teachers shape the future of learning with interactive display solutions that maximize engagement in and out of the classroom while improving student performance. For over 10 years, BenQ has been the No. 1-selling TI DLP projector brand worldwide, according to Futuresource, and is one of the leading interactive display vendors in North America. The award-winning BenQ Board is the first and only interactive display to feature TÜV- and SIAA-certified germ-resistant screens, interfaces, and pens as part of its purpose-built ClassroomCare technologies designed for healthier classrooms. The BenQ Board RP03 Series has been recognized as the first smart board to achieve Eyesafe® Certification, the advanced blue light mitigation technology developed in concert with optometrists and ophthalmologists. Industry-recognized, BenQ’s Tap ‘N Teach technology for fast sign-on, EZWrite license-free annotation and whiteboard software, InstaShare wireless screen presentation system, and IT-friendly monitoring and management tools create exciting and intuitive active learning experiences. EZWrite 6 is also AWS Qualified, having passed Amazon Web Services (AWS) Foundational Technical Review (FTR), providing schools with assurance in security, reliability, and operational excellence. Educators can focus on giving lessons that leave an impact and give the leaders of tomorrow the tools they need to reach their maximum potential. The company’s products are available across North America through leading value-added distributors, resellers, and retailers. More information is available at www.BenQBoard.com.

All trademarks and registered trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

Phenix City, Ala.— Phenix City Schools have marked a significant achievement at the Alabama State JR/SR Beta Convention, with students securing 51 top placements, a testament to the district’s quality of education and student dedication. The Beta Club, emphasizing leadership and service, saw over 100 members from Phenix City compete and succeed in one of the nation’s largest junior conventions and a highly competitive senior convention.

This accomplishment comes when educational excellence and community service are more important than ever. “Our students have worked tirelessly, and their success at the state convention clearly indicates their hard work, talent, and the strong support system provided by our schools,” Dr. Weber remarked.

The achievement of Phenix City Schools at the Beta Convention is not just a win for the district but a shining example of educational excellence in Alabama. As these students prepare for the national convention, they carry with them the pride and support of the entire state.

The state is encouraged to rally behind these young leaders, who are achieving
academically and actively involved in serving and improving their communities. This
story is a beacon of hope and a showcase of the potential within our educational
institutions to foster future leaders.

Through this achievement, Phoenix City Schools underscores the importance of
supporting educational programs that cultivate leadership, character, and service
among students, preparing them for successful futures.

About PCS
Phenix City Schools offers a complete, one-of-a-kind education for all students,
preschool through 12th grade. Its goal is to prepare all students for a career and/or
college through inquiry-based pedagogy, innovative resources, and a learning
environment with immediate and future societal impact.

1212 9th Ave, Phenix City, AL 36868 PO Box 460 | 334-298-0534 | www.pcboe.net

The Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) has re-endorsed Classworks® for an additional three years. The CASE Executive Committee designated the award-winning platform as a CASE-endorsed product that delivers high-quality assessment and instructional resources to special education teachers and students.

CASE has recognized Classworks as a tool that “successfully addresses the inherent challenges of special education,” since 2010. This month, CASE re-endorsed Classworks as a top-tier special education resource through 2027. Every three years, the platform undergoes a rigorous evaluation by the CASE Executive Committee. As part of the review process, CASE considers the impact on achievement for special education students as well as any new enhancements. In addition to the tremendous impact Classworks has on special education students, two significant product changes were made:

• Classworks released a new student experience focused on student ownership over their learning and growth
• Dyslexia and Dyscalculia indicators were added to the screener assessments

These and several other  new Classworks enhancements answer the imminent need in the marketplace for comprehensive, valid and reliable programs that simplify processes for special education teachers, and provide a more engaging and motivating experience for students. 

“Our special education teachers are dedicated to creating high-quality IEPs customized to each student’s areas of need. However, that process can be cumbersome without the right data and tools. Classworks data is easy to understand and gives us exactly what we need to create meaningful goals,” states Katrina Jackson, director of special education, Montgomery Public Schools, Alabama. “Teachers are thrilled that they have reliable data and documentation. Classworks has cut their IEP writing time in half!”

With Classworks, educators have access to assessments to identify present levels of performance and develop ambitious annual goals, progress monitoring to measure and document progress toward goals, and evidence-based, individualized, Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) to help students achieve their IEP goals. Classworks screener and progress monitoring assessments are validated by the National Center on Intensive Intervention (NCII).  Learn more. 

‍‍About Classworks‍

Classworks leverages technology and evidence-based learning practices to transform how school districts support students’ academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs. Our CASE-endorsed, comprehensive Special Education and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) solution includes academic screeners, math and reading interventions, specially designed instruction, progress monitoring, and powerful data. Classworks Universal Screener and Progress Monitoring Assessments are validated by the National Center on Intensive Intervention (NCII).

About The Council Of Administrators Of Special Education‍

The Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) is an international professional educational organization affiliated with the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). Members are dedicated to enhancing the worth, dignity, potential, and uniqueness of each individual in society. The mission of CASE is to provide leadership and support to members by shaping policies and practices that impact the quality of education. For more information, visit  www.casecec.org.

BOSTON  –   Lexia, a  Cambium Learning Group brand, has selected the 118 winners of its inaugural Lexia LETRS Science of Reading Grant Contest. Winners comprise K-5 educators in 26 states. Each will receive a grant providing them with no-cost access to the award-winning LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) professional learning program.

To enter the grant contest, applicants created short videos (60 seconds or less) explaining how LETRS would help transform their teaching. A panel of judges carefully reviewed each applicant’s entry to select the winners.

“These applications submitted by teachers showed their enthusiasm for science-based reading instruction and a deep desire to learn the ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind the way we all learn to read, spell, and achieve reading comprehension,” said Lexia President, Nick Gaehde. “We have every confidence that they’ll use what they learn in LETRS to transform their teaching.”

LETRS professional learning is a two-year literacy-focused course that provides teachers with deep knowledge to be language and literacy experts in the science of reading. Developed by Dr. Louisa Moats and leaders in the field of literacy, LETRS is used by educators in 47 states and teaches the skills needed to master the foundational and fundamentals of reading and writing instruction—phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and written language.

“LETRS distills decades of evidenced-based research into classroom instruction that drives literacy success for students of all abilities,” continued Gaehde. “We’re excited to be helping 118 more elementary educators gain this much-needed knowledge. When educators gain a deep understanding of the processes and science behind effective reading instruction, everyone wins. We look forward to holding this contest again next year.”

For a list of the contest winners, click  here.

About Lexia

Lexia®, a Cambium Learning Group brand, is a leader in science of reading-based solutions. For 40 years, the company has focused on pre-K-12 literacy and today provides solutions for students and educators. With a complete offering of professional learning, curriculum, and embedded assessment, Lexia helps more learners read, write, and speak with confidence. For more information, visit   www.lexialearning.com.

About Cambium Learning Group

Cambium Learning Group is the education essentials company, providing award-winning education technology and services for K-12 educators and students. With an intentional collection of respected global brands, Cambium serves as a leader, helping millions of educators and students feel more seen, valued, and supported every day. In everything it does, the company focuses on the elements that are most essential to the success of education, delivering simpler, more certain solutions that make a meaningful difference right now.

To learn more, visit   www.cambiumlearning.com or follow Cambium on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. The Cambium family of brands includes: Cambium Assessment, Lexia®, Learning A-Z®, Voyager Sopris Learning®, ExploreLearning®, Time4Learning®, and Kurzweil Education®.

BURLINGTON, NC – Leading school science supplier Carolina Biological Supply Company announced that its Certified Version of OpenSciEd for grades 6 to 8 received all-green ratings from non-profit EdReports. The organization provides free reports and reviews online that help K-12 educators evaluate math, language arts and science instructional materials because high-quality content matters to teachers, to kids, and to their collective future. The materials are rigorously evaluated for alignment to standards and usability by teams of educators. EdReports’ content reviewers consist of outstanding classroom educators, district coaches, and state content leaders who deeply understand college-and career-ready standards and the importance of high-quality instructional materials. Read the full report on EdReports.org.

            In simple terms, the all-green rating from EdReports means that the Carolina Certified Version of OpenSciEd meets expectations for all three categories of review: Designed for the Next Generation Science Standards* (NGSS); coherence and scope; and usability. It further demonstrates that the enhancements Carolina made to its version of the program also meet expectations for alignment and usability.

  “As a non-profit science developer, OpenSciEd intentionally created an open-source science curriculum so that teachers could edit and adapt and localize the content for their students,” said Jim Ryan, Executive Director of OpenSciEd. “By making the OpenSciEd for grades 6-8 curriculum easier to use last year, the Carolina Certified Version paved the way for teachers to make these changes, while maintaining the high quality of the instructional materials. Working with Carolina as a certified partner resulted in another excellent version of our curriculum.”

In 2021, Carolina became a certified partner with nonprofit science developer OpenSciEd to create a unique version of OpenSciEd science units grades 6 to 8. Carolina, through its own expert scientists and science educators, took a first step towards enhancing the OpenSciEd units to further support teachers and engage students. The Carolina Certified Version offers redesigned print materials, simplified equipment, and an enhanced digital experience, plus certified professional learning to help teachers make the shift to three-dimensional, student-centered, and phenomena-driven learning.

“We appreciate receiving the review from EdReports, a highly respected source for reliable insight, and are very proud to have earned all green ratings,” said Jim Parrish, President and CEO at Carolina. “Carolina, like EdReports, knows teachers spend many hours looking for quality materials. Their rigorous review process can make it much easier for educators to quickly see and be assured that our Carolina Certified Version of OpenSciEd for middle school met their standards in every category and went through deep scrutiny by a team of educator reviewers. The review can definitely help take another burden off teachers and help them find high-quality materials for their classrooms.” 

Carolina is grateful for the opportunity to have its version reviewed by EdReports. The Carolina Biological Certified Version of OpenSciEd draws upon the same science content as OpenSciEd and has the same scores across the program. Some evidence statements have been edited to reflect the differences in program navigation and usability, including the presence of an online digital platform.

For information, Carolina encourages educators to visit its online page at https://www.carolinaopenscied.com to learn about its versions of OpenSciEd. Units are available for purchase now through Carolina. Visit Carolina’s website or, call (800) 334-5551, or e-mail curriculum@carolina.com.

Carolina Biological Supply Company
           From its beginnings in 1927, Carolina ( www.carolina.com) has grown to become the leading supplier of science teaching materials in the world. Headquartered in Burlington, NC, Carolina serves customers worldwide, including teachers, students, and professionals in science and health-related fields. The company is still privately owned by descendants of the founder, geology and biology professor Dr. Thomas E. Powell Jr.

* NGSS is a registered trademark of WestEd. Neither WestEd nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it.

Staples, Minn. — SpringMath, an award winning, complete MTSS solution for math, recently received the highest possible rating for fall classification accuracy in every grade submitted to the National Center on Intensive Intervention (NCII).

SpringMath author Dr. Amanda VanDerHeyden said, “The SpringMath team is proud to once again have our work validated by NCII. We have expanded the number of grades for which we have offered evidence, including middle school, and we now have the highest rated kindergarten screening tool! These ratings offer further evidence of the quality of our assessments, which are novel in this space.”

NCII is the premier site for rating intervention and assessment tools for education. Funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), NCII is comprised of national content and methodological experts who review assessments and interventions. The ratings are designed to evaluate the technical adequacy of screening tools, progress monitoring tools and interventions programs to assist educators in the adoption of tools that address their needs.

SpringMath assessments build upon the decades of research around the science of  curriculum-based assessment. High-quality assessments determine student needs and determine which intervention to provide to students. Assessments used in education need to be efficient, sensitive to change, and they need to measure exactly what is taught each week. Since 2018, NCII has recognized SpringMath’s strong classification accuracy.  Learn more about SpringMath’s novel  assessment approach.

“Valid and reliable assessments are the backbone of any intervention tool, ensuring the most efficacious interventions possible are being delivered. We are so proud to be providing a best-in-class solution that is helping students across the country improve their performance in math,” Dr. VanDerHeyden shared.

In addition to ratings of the SpringMath assessments, the NCII site also includes reviews of two randomized-controlled trials on the academic interventions chart. These rigorous studies demonstrate the effectiveness of SpringMath’s interventions. The NCII Intervention Taxonomy Brief describes how SpringMath addresses each of the areas of the taxonomy of intervention intensity to maximize effectiveness.

SpringMath has an active research agenda and collaborates with MTSS leaders across the country to advance the understanding of the science and to benefit the students using its interventions.  Dr. Amanda VanDerHeyden and colleagues have published 42 peer-reviewed journal articles in addition to books, book chapters, and policy guides focusing on math intervention, measurement, and MTSS since 2000. Dr. VanDerHeyden is also one of the founders and contributors to the  Science of Math movement.

About SpringMath by Sourcewell 

SpringMath by Sourcewell is an  award-winning, complete, schoolwide, MTSS solution. SpringMath engages both teachers and students — increasing confidence and long-term understanding. Combining streamlined tools for assessment, reporting, and intervention, SpringMath provides a clear path to math mastery in just minutes a day.

(CHICAGO) –  PowerNotes, a provider of tools that help students and professionals create high-quality research quickly and efficiently, has added Composer, an advanced, web-based word processor, to its PowerNotes+ platform. The new tool provides a semi-proctored environment for organizing research and writing in an AI-enabled environment.

PowerNotes+ is a reading, research, and writing platform that helps educators and institutions have control and confidence using artificial intelligence (AI)—and addresses questions of intellectual integrity using transparency and evidence, not suspicion. Composer is a new tool that allows PowerNotes+ users to see the full picture of writers’ research and writing, from AI-assisted text to outside sources to original thoughts, all color-coded for easy identification.

“AI is still a new tool, but it’s already incorporated in a lot of spaces,” said Dr. Catina Mitchum, Adjunct Associate Professor at University of Maryland Global Campus. “And it’s constantly changing. Developing the skills to use these tools ethically is an essential part of digital literacy that will carry forward to help them succeed in school and in life.”

Composer enables users to minimize the inappropriate use of AI and gain greater clarity into research and writing work, supporting them in using AI with integrity and effectiveness. Features of Composer include:

• The ability to write within PowerNotes+, providing proof-of-work from initial research to final assignment;
• A familiar interface similar to Microsoft Word and Google Docs;
• The ability to drag and drop research from outline to paper, including the citation;
• Timestamps and version history of work;
• The ability for educators or managers to give feedback in real time;
• The option for educators and system administrators to turn specific AI tools off; and
• AI integrations that can fact-check, suggest ideas, and review grammar, providing tools to use AI in an ethically responsible way.

Composer is designed to improve source-based writing for students and researchers who use a variety of research, note-taking and writing software, like Microsoft Word or Google Docs. By weaving source tracking and citation management into the research and writing process, Composer frees writers to focus on higher-level tasks such as analysis of their chosen subject matter and synthesis of ideas. Composer allows teachers to create assignments and then closely observe the entire process their students follow, from gathering information to writing and revising.

PowerNotes built Composer in response to feedback from educators who wanted a word processor that could protect academic integrity as AI is being integrated into existing Microsoft and Google products. It is essentially impossible for one machine to determine if a piece of writing was produced by another machine, so PowerNotes takes a different approach by making it easier to use AI ethically. For example, because AI is integrated into and research content is stored in PowerNotes, copying and pasting information from another source should be very limited and will be flagged by Composer. 

If a teacher or manager does suspect the inappropriate use of AI, PowerNotes+ and Composer help shift the conversation from accusation to evidence by providing a clear trail of every action a writer has taken and where things came from. Putting clear parameters on the AI-plagiarism conversation keeps the focus on the process of developing an idea into a completed paper or presentation.

“At PowerNotes, we believe that AI can be a powerful tool to supercharge research and writing,” said Wilson Tsu, founder of PowerNotes. “We do understand, however, that educators and companies have legitimate concerns about the ethical use of AI tools. That’s why, even as we launch Composer to provide real-world solutions to those challenges, we are partnering with educational institutions and organizations on our AI Unity initiative in an effort to broaden the coalition dedicated to using AI safely and ethically.” 

For more information, or to pilot PowerNotes+, please visit PowerNotes.com.

About PowerNotes

PowerNotes is a platform designed to help students and professionals create high-quality research and writing confidently and efficiently. With features including auto-citation, note-taking, library integration, AI usage management, and copy-paste detection, PowerNotes is now used by writers and researchers of all ages, from elementary schoolers to PhD students and working professionals. More than 160 academic institutions nationwide have adopted PowerNotes, with some college instructors building their coursework around the PowerNotes approach, which is focused on meaningful and transparent student engagement throughout the reading, research, analysis, and writing process. Learn more at PowerNotes.com.

FREMONT, CA – Optoma, a world-leading manufacturer of pioneering visual solutions, today introduced the new Creative Touch 3-Series Interactive Flat Panel Displays (IFPDs), featuring improved functionality and added interactive features designed to meet the evolving needs of education and corporate environments. Available in 65″, 75″ and 86″ formats, the Creative Touch 3-Series IFPDs include intuitive and user-friendly software, including an enhanced Whiteboard for effortless 1-to-1 collaboration whether in remote, in-person, or hybrid environments across classrooms, lecture halls, boardrooms, and other professional settings. 

With the new Optoma IFPDs, users can work together seamlessly in-person or in real time from home by accessing their content through the Optoma Solution Suite (OSS), a proprietary software stack consisting of the cloud-based Whiteboard, Display Share, and File Manager.   

Whiteboard provides users with an infinity canvas, floating toolbar, and annotation tools for endless, creative lesson opportunities. Educators can sync their cloud accounts, such as Google Classroom, for convenient lesson planning from anywhere and access their materials from any Creative Touch IFPD on campus. For remote lessons or in hybrid sessions, educators have the option of writing on the board while their students have a real time view of the annotations, either via one other Creative Touch display or online, valuable for use cases such as hiding quiz answers for later discussion. Users can also conveniently embed browser pages for easy dragging and dropping of image and video content into the canvas for smoother, uninterrupted lessons.   

“Educators and business professionals today are seeking user-friendly solutions for ultimate collaboration from anywhere as we settle into the changing needs of various classroom, work-from-home and hybrid learning and working environments,” said Jeff Perry, Product Manager at Optoma. “The new IFPDs bring impressive connectivity options and interactive collaboration features to any classroom or professional setting, all in a value-focused design.”  

With a bright, fingerprint resistant panel, ultra-slim bezel, anti-glare glass, and up to 40-point multi-touch capabilities, the IFPDs offer users a range of collaborative features for more effective lessons, presentations, and brainstorming sessions.   

Optoma Creative Touch 3-Series Interactive Flat Panel features:  

• Whiteboard with improved floating toolbar, customization tools, and infinity canvas feature for an extended writing space   
• Built-in Android system and compatible with popular operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Chrome   
• Display Share enables simultaneous image, document and screen sharing from up to four devices on the same network and mirror content to up to 40 devices  
• Sync with Google Classroom to easily create and import lesson materials anywhere for paperless sharing and digital collaboration in the classroom  
• Picture-in-picture (PiP) to run the software solutions you know and love from your laptop while seamlessly annotating in Whiteboard  

Optoma Management Suite (OMS), a value-added solution, is available on the 3-Series IFPDs, offering IT administrators and technicians a real time remote platform to monitor, manage, and diagnose multiple displays simultaneously that are either on the same network or connected through the cloud server. OMS allows technicians to check the status of any display, make configurations to optimize performance, and broadcast messages for emergencies, alerts, or other announcements across on-site displays.  

To learn more about the Creative Touch 3-Series IFPDs line-up, please visit:   

• https://www.optomausa.com/products/interactive-flat-panel-displays  
• https://www.optomausa.com/products/interactive-flat-panel-displays/corporate  
• https://www.optomausa.com/products/interactive-flat-panel-displays/education  

  About Optoma Technology, Inc.    

Optoma combines cutting-edge technology and innovation to deliver remarkable visual display products designed to connect audiences with engaging video experiences. From the company’s ProScene projectors to its Creative Touch interactive flat panel displays, Optoma’s suite of products can meet the demands of nearly any professional environment, including conference rooms and classrooms, digital signage, corporate, houses of worship, retail, simulation environments and control rooms. Optoma Technology is the U.S. headquarters for The Optoma Group, with continental headquarters also in Europe and Asia. For more information, visit optoma.com.     

Washington, DC (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — America’s Blood Centers (ABC), the national organization of community-based, independent blood centers that supply 60 percent of the nation’s blood supply, today announced a new multi-year national partnership with Body Interact, a leader in virtual patient simulation technology. This collaboration aims to help innovate the way students and potential blood donors learn about the critical importance of blood donation by providing cutting-edge virtual patient scenarios illustrating the lifesaving impact of blood donation as part of an expanded Vein to Vein: The Science of Blood Donation high school education program, to be released in the coming weeks.

“America’s Blood Centers is proud to partner with Body Interact to bring cutting-edge virtual learning scenarios to our Vein to Vein program. This collaboration will help innovate how students and potential blood donors learn about the critical importance of blood donation, fostering a lifelong interest in supporting our nation’s blood supply. We look forward to working together to provide an engaging and interactive learning experience that will help strengthen and diversify the blood supply for years to come,” said Kate Fry, CEO of America’s Blood Centers.

“At Body Interact/Take The Wind, we are honored to join forces and collaborate with America’s Blood Centers. By offering students a chance to experience realistic patient simulations, we aim to bring attention to the universal relevance of blood donation through experiential learning. Not only is blood donation a noble act, but also a critical one that could touch students’ loved ones and their communities. We are excited to bring this valuable resource to thousands of high school students across America,” said Raquel Bidarra, U.S. Country Manager at Body Interact.

ABC and its international division, ADRP: the Association for Blood Donor Professionals, first released Vein to Vein: The Science of Blood Donation, a groundbreaking high school education program in 2022 to help educators craft lesson plans to develop student leadership skills and a lifelong interest in supporting our nation’s blood supply. This turn-key resource is educator-crafted and designed to meet Next Generation Science Standards. Implementation goes beyond the field of science to also offer opportunities to integrate English Language Arts and Mathematics.

This partnership recognizes the increasing demand for digital healthcare education and comes at a critical time for the blood supply. From 2019 to 2021, there was an alarming 60.7% decrease in donations from individuals 16-18 years old. This is especially concerning considering that nearly 20% of all blood drives were held at high schools or colleges last year. Early education and exposure to blood donation is a critical step in creating life-long blood donors.

As part of this collaboration, Body Interact will develop 10 cutting-edge digital scenarios covering essential topics such as blood and trauma, pre-hospital blood use, and the vital need for a diverse blood supply. These immersive scenarios will be integrated into an expanded version of ABC’s Vein to Vein program to be released in the coming weeks, offering educators and students complimentary access to a more engaging and interactive learning experience.

Over the five-year duration of this partnership, ABC members will utilize these scenarios in schools nationwide, enhancing their ability to provide immersive and impactful education in classrooms across the country. Members of ABC’s international division, ADRP: The Association for Blood Donor Professionals, as well as educators implementing Vein to Vein, will receive a complimentary trial to further explore these innovative scenarios.

Founded in 1962, America’s Blood Centers is the national organization bringing together community-based, independent blood centers. Its member organizations operate more than 600 blood collection sites providing close to 60 percent of the U.S., and a quarter of the Canadian, blood supply. These blood centers serve more than 150 million people and provide blood products and services to more than 3,500 hospitals and healthcare facilities across North America. All ABC U.S. members are licensed and regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For more information, visit www.AmericasBlood.org.

Body Interact is a clinical system adopted around the world to train learners in decision-making and critical thinking, with lifelike virtual patients, in hundreds of clinical scenarios. Body Interact enables both medical professionals and students to accelerate learning, develop clinical skills and achieve excellence in their performance. Its vision is to be the most reliable, engaging and widely adopted clinical education system in the world. To learn more, visit www.BodyInteract.com.