News - KEH Communications

The Enlarged City School District of Middletown Improves Student Outcomes with Curriculum Associates’ i-Ready®

District’s elementary schools effectively use online diagnostic and instruction program built for the Common Core State Standards for blended learning

NORTH BILLERICA, Mass., August 21, 2014—The Enlarged City School District of Middletown, a National Race to the Top District (RTTT-D) in Middletown, NY, has improved student outcomes through its use of Curriculum Associates’ i-Ready® Diagnostic & Instruction. During the first year of its blended learning initiative in 2013–14, the district implemented the online program, which is built for the Common Core State Standards, in 33 elementary classrooms. Middletown chose i-Ready to meet its academic needs based on a collaborative design and content selection process that involved district leaders, teachers, and its partner, Education Elements, which helps design and implement personalized learning plans for districts.

The Texas Education Agency Approves the SPARK Coordinated School Health Program

SPARK partners with Healthy Lifestyle Choices and Healthy Kids Challenge to create a comprehensive youth health program for TX students

San Diego, CA, August 21, 2014 -- SPARK™, provider of the world’s most-researched physical education programs, was selected by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) as one of only three state-approved Coordinated School Health (CSH) Programs for students in grades K-8. The SPARK CSH program gives districts tools to provide physical education and physical activity, as well as health education and nutrition education, in order to create a comprehensive student health program. When implemented in a coordinated fashion, it has been proven to improve student health parameters and thus counter childhood obesity.

New PresenceLearning Resource Focuses on How Blended Learning Can Improve Instruction in the Special Education Classroom

“Getting Smarter About SPED: A Conversation about Blended Learning Decisions and Implications” added to company’s growing library of SPED resources

SAN FRANCISCO, August 12, 2014 – PresenceLearning, the leader in online speech therapy and other special education-related services for K-12 students, has launched “Getting Smarter About SPED: A Conversation about Blended Learning Decisions and Implications.” Based on a webinar featuring Tom Vander Ark, author of Getting Smart: How Digital Learning is Changing the World and CEO of Getting Smart, Maria Carr, Special Education Coordinator at IEM, and Robin Wise, Blended Regions Special Service Manager at K12, this resource explores the landscape – and benefits of – blended learning in special education.

To download this free resource, visit: http://presencelearning.com/resources/library/getting-smarter-about-blended-learning/.

Curriculum Associates’ i-Ready® Diagnostic & Instruction Named a Winner of eSchool News’ 2014–15 Readers’ Choice Awards

Online diagnostic and instruction program built for the Common Core State Standards chosen as a top educational product by publication’s readers

NORTH BILLERICA, Mass., August 6, 2014—Curriculum Associates’ i-Ready® Diagnostic & Instruction was recently named a winner of eSchool News’ 2014–15 Readers’ Choice Awards. The awards honor the best products and services in educational technology as chosen by readers, including more than 1,300 teachers, administrators, and education technology specialists from K–12 schools and districts across North America, and i-Ready was one of the 50 winners that received the most nominations for favorite edtech product or service.

Gryphon House’s The Welcoming Classroom Helps Educators Engage with Families

Johnna Darragh Ernst offers checklists, communication tips and questions, so educators can foster family engagement

Lewisville, N.C. – July 31, 2014 – The Welcoming Classroom: Building Strong Home-to-School Connections for Early Learning from Gryphon House Inc., a leading publisher of early childhood resources, guides teachers on how to best engage families. In The Welcoming Classroom, Johnna Darragh Ernst offers practical ideas for creating a friendly atmosphere for families that will encourage them to participate in their children’s learning community.

PresenceLearning’s Vice President of Clinical Services Named American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Fellow

Melissa Jakubowitz M.A. CCC-SLP receives one of the association’s highest honors for her outstanding contributions to the professional community

SAN FRANCISCO, July 25, 2014 – The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) recently named Melissa Jakubowitz M.A. CCC-SLP, who is the vice president of Clinical Services at PresenceLearning, as an ASHA Fellow. Given to individuals based on their outstanding professional contributions to the field and within and beyond their community, ASHA Fellowship is one of the highest forms of recognition given by the association.

More Publishers Are Tagging Their Resources with Metadata, Says New Learning Resource Metadata Initiative Survey

Most Educators Want Publishers to Tag Their Resources

Philadelphia, PA, July 22, 2014 – Nearly 6 in 10 learning resource providers (58%) are now tagging their resources with metadata, according to a new survey published by the Learning Resource Metadata Initiative (LRMI). The LRMI Survey Report: July 2014 Update details findings of two separate online surveys targeting educational publishers and educators.

PresenceLearning Releases New eBook of Tips From Leading Autism Expert Dr. Temple Grandin

Free eBook gives special educators, administrators and families practical advice for educating children with autism

SAN FRANCISCO, July 16, 2014 – The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention report that 1 in 68 children have been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This increased prevalence combined with more rigorous state education standards have led school administrators and educators to seek a deeper understanding of the disorder as well as strategies and approaches to give this growing population appropriate access to the curriculum. To provide districts and families with practical advice to help children on the spectrum reach their potential in and out of the classroom, PresenceLearning created “Take It From Temple: 5 Tips for Working with Children with Autism,” a free book based on Dr. Temple Grandin’s “Changing Minds” webinar presentation with the company.

Gryphon House Launches Parent and Teacher Resource Sure to Spark Children’s Interest – Science—Not Just for Scientists!

Leonisa Ardizzone’s book offers 40+ hands-on activities for children to explore the wonders of science with easy-to-find materials and step-by-step instructions

Lewisville, North Carolina – July 14, 2014 – Gryphon House, Inc., a leading publisher of early childhood resources, provides parents and teachers with simple ideas to introduce the world of scientific discovery to young children with its latest book, Science—Not Just for Scientists!, written by Leonisa Ardizzone, EdD. The 40-plus hands-on activities, reproducible handouts, and engaging and colorful photos will empower children to question, experiment, and develop abstract reasoning skills. With the help of step-by-step instructions and lists of easy-to-find materials, children will explore:

Back-to-School Shopping Intensifies as Parents are Asked to Buy More Items than Ever Before

As retail offers and promotions for school supplies start earlier than ever before, national site for school supply lists reports a 29% increase in “items per list”

Wrentham, MA (July 9, 2014) – Approximately 52 million parents are heading to the stores this back-to-school season and retailers and marketers are trying earlier than ever to earn their business. And while parents have always pitched in for traditional school supplies like notebooks and pens, today they’re being asked to provide everything from tissues to hand wipes to plastic bags to keep classrooms running smoothly.