News - KEH Communications

Education Metatagging Project Enters Phase Two

The Learning Resource Metadata Initiative has expanded its Proof of Concept tagging project to include language arts resources

WILMINGTON, DE, October 1, 2012 – The Learning Resource Metadata Initiative (LRMI) has moved into the second phase of its proof of concept metadata tagging project, expanding its scope to tag English language arts resources, in addition to math content. The LRMI is working to make it easier to publish, discover and deliver quality educational content on the web by creating a standard tagging framework for learning resources. Through its proof of concept project, the LRMI aims to document best practices for tagging to the LRMI specification and provide support for publishers by helping them understand the “real world” application of the LRMI. To date, 616 resources have been evaluated, tagged and aligned, with plans for another 450+ resources in upcoming rounds of tagging.

National Awareness Campaign Gives Educators Voice in Improving Online Search

Easy Access and Search for Education (EASE) project will inform implementation of new education metadata standard

WILMINGTON, DE, September 28, 2012 – Beginning in October, the Association of Educational Publishers (AEP) will kick off Easy Access and Search for Education (EASE), a month-long campaign that aims to raise awareness about the negative effects of information overload on educators’ and students’ online search experiences. A national awareness campaign, EASE invites K-12 district-level administrators, principals, curriculum leaders, librarians, and classroom teachers to share their opinions and suggestions about online search. All participants will be entered for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card. Five prizes will be awarded during each week of the program.

Study to Explore Parents' Perceptions of Mobile Learning

Data and insights from parents of K–12 students and preschoolers into home and school use of mobile devices

Bethesda, MD—Sept. 25, 2012—As students head back to school, more of them than ever before will be using mobile devices in the classroom and at home for educational purposes. This fall, leading industry research firm Grunwald Associates LLC will conduct a research study to examine student uses, parent perceptions and family requirements for mobile learning platforms. The study will be conducted with support from AT&T and in collaboration with the Learning First Alliance, a major national education organization.

Learning First Alliance Authors FRONTLINE's "Middle School Moment" Discussion Guide

Guide facilitates community screenings of DVD to help audiences understand the national dropout crisis and what they can do to take action

Washington, D.C. – September 24, 2012 – Hundreds of thousands of students drop out of high school each year. To address this extremely concerning issue and to offer a call to action for individuals and communities, the Learning First Alliance (LFA), a partnership of 16 leading education associations with more than 10 million members dedicated to improving student learning in America's public schools, was chosen by FRONTLINE, a production of WGBH, Boston, to author a community screening guide for their segment, Middle School Moment.

Vernier Shares Key Findings on the Value of Probeware for Science Instruction

New white paper examines research on the use of data-collection technology in STEM classrooms

BEAVERTON, Oregon, September 12, 2012 – Vernier Software & Technology has released a free white paper, entitled “What the Research Says About the Value of Probeware for Science Instruction,” that presents research-based evidence supporting the value of probeware as part of effective science instruction. The white paper discusses the many benefits of using this technology – particularly with middle school, high school, and college level students – for data collection, analysis, and visualization of data.

Curriculum Associates' New "Ready New York CCLS" Program Makes It Easier for Teachers to Meet Latest NYSED Changes

Educational publisher is first to create tools to comply with new state requirement

NORTH BILLERICA, Mass., September 12, 2012 – Curriculum Associates’ newest offering, Ready™ New York CCLS (Common Core Learning Standards), will include material that addresses the latest changes to the state’s 2013 mathematics tests announced in late August by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). These tests could include specific content from the previous grade’s curriculum, in addition to on-grade content. This information was accompanied by a chart assigning each CCLS to the September–April or May–June instructional period to help educators understand what content will appear on the 2013 tests and what content will appear on the following year’s tests.

Vernier's "LabQuest 2" and "Connected Science System" Win Leading Education Awards

Data-collection device and networked collection of technology honored in the Worlddidac and eSchool Media’s Readers Choice Awards

BEAVERTON, Oregon, September 5, 2012 – Vernier Software & Technology was recently recognized as a winner for its LabQuest 2 data-collection interface by two leading awards programs – the Worlddidac Awards and the eSchool Media’s Readers Choice Awards. The Worlddidac Awards also named the Connected Science System, a networked collection of technology used with LabQuest 2, as a winner.

Top Early Childhood Literacy Experts Provide Recommendations for Improving Literacy Instruction Based on Research Findings

Early Childhood Literacy: The National Early Literacy Panel and Beyond book provides decision-making insight that leads to actionable teaching

BALTIMORE, MD – September 5, 2012 – The federally-funded National Early Literacy Panel (NELP) Report (January 2009) analyzed hundreds of studies published in peer-reviewed research journals in order to determine what matters in early literacy instruction. The report showed that to improve early literacy skills and outcomes in all children, administrators, curriculum developers, and early literacy specialists must work to strengthen practices and change the way literacy is addressed in early education. However the report’s findings could be deemed as too complex for practical application by literacy educators, and newer research on literacy instruction conducted since the publication of the report offers additional ways to strengthen practice and improve outcomes for all children.

Pennsylvania Department of Education Selects Teachscape's Framework for Teaching Proficiency System

Online system trains and tests teacher evaluators statewide on accurately assessing teaching practice

SAN FRANCISCO, September 5, 2012 – The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has chosen Teachscape, the leader in delivering Web-based professional learning content, innovative technologies, and expert services to improve teaching practice, to provide a system by which to train and assess the state’s 5,350 teacher evaluators. PDE will use Teachscape’s Framework for Teaching Proficiency System, an online system to train and assess teacher evaluators, to help ensure evaluator accuracy as the state rolls out a five-year comprehensive statewide teacher evaluation system based on Charlotte Danielson’s Framework for Teaching (FFT).

Schools May Now Apply for Nationwide "Healthy School Makeover Contest"

Leading health and physical education organizations team-up to provide a healthy school makeover worth $45,000 in support of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

San Diego, CA, September 5, 2012 — Video entries are now being accepted for the nationwide Healthy School Makeover Contest, with the winner receiving an unprecedented grand prize worth $45,000 in educational materials, training, and equipment. Individuals can nominate a school by submitting a short video explaining why their school needs a healthy school makeover and how they’ll use the Grand Prize award to improve the health of their students. The contest, managed by SPARK™, provider of the world’s most-researched and field-tested physical education program and a division of School Specialty, features products and services from leading organizations including Sportime, AAHPERD/NASPE, Healthy Kids Challenge, Skillastics, Healthy Lifestyle Choices, GenMove, The First Tee, Polar, and the ANNIKA Foundation.