News Briefs

News Briefs

IntelliTools Awarded $1.3 Million Federal Grant for Product Development

IntelliTools Inc., a member of Cambium Learning Technologies, has received a $1.3-million federal grant award to develop and research a new version of IntelliTools Classroom Suite with greatly enhanced mathematics capabilities. The project, “ Number Concepts and Automaticity,” focuses on number sense and fluency for students in grades 1-3. Research will be designed and conducted by the Pacific Institutes for Research (PIR) at the University of Oregon. Funds were awarded by the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, Small Business Innovations Research, under program officer Dr. Daniel Berch.…

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TEA Standardizes on Watchfire to Manage Web Application Security, Compliance

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has standardized on Watchfire AppScan Enterprise and Watchfire WebXM to manage Web application security and online compliance on its more than 85,000 Web pages. The TEA provides leadership, guidance, and resources to help more than 1,265 school districts and charter schools meet the educational needs of more than 4.5 million Texas students. Many of its customer-facing applications, such as grant application forms and performance reporting, are used to perform secure transactions and collect sensitive information. Given the confidential nature of the information collected online, the size of the TEA Web sites, and the large number of content contributors, TEA turned to Watchfire to help ensure the security and compliance of its Web channel and reputation…

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Kaplan to Acquire Aspect Education

Kaplan Inc. has acquired Aspect Education Ltd., a major provider of English-language instruction with 19 schools located in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the US. The price of the transaction was not disclosed. Aspect, headquartered in the UK, offers English-language and cultural-exchange programs; preparation for a variety of tests of English proficiency, such as the IELTS (International English Language Testing System); vocational training in business and IT; and academic preparation programs for higher education. Under the leadership of CEO David Jones, Aspect will eventually merge with Kaplan’s existing English-language training division, which has 17 schools. Jones will then lead the combined English-language operations as part of the international division of Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions...

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SETDA Honors Three Outstanding Educational Leaders

The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) recently honored three outstanding educational leaders for their efforts to ensure students and teachers receive the opportunities they need to be competitive in the global marketplace. Sen. Tom Harkin (IA) received SETDA’s Federal Policy Maker Award for his efforts to provide resources to ensure each child has a highly qualified teacher, as well as the tools and resources to ensure achievement. Dr. Jorea Marple, associate state superintendent of schools for the West Virginia Department of Education, received SETDA’s State Policy Maker Award for her relentless pursuit of West Virginia’s commitment to use technology as an agent of systemic change within their education system. Finally, Dr. Melinda Maddox, director of technology initiatives for the Alabama Department of Education, received SETDA’s Leader of the Year Award from her peers. Her vision and dedication resulted in the successful development and implementation of a comprehensive distance learning program called ACCESS (Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide)…

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Featured

  •  classroom scene with students gathered around a laptop showing a virtual tour interface

    Discovery Education Announces Spring Lineup of Free Virtual Field Trips

    This Spring, Discovery Education is collaborating with partners such as Warner Bros., DC Comics, National Science Foundation, NBA, and more to present a series of free virtual field trips for K-12 students.

  • glowing padlock shape integrated into a network of interconnected neon-blue lines and digital nodes, set against a soft, blurred geometric background

    3 in 4 Administrators Expect a Security Incident to Impact Their School This Year

    In an annual survey from education identity platform Clever, 74% of administrators admitted that they believe a security incident is likely to impact their school system in the coming year. That's up from 71% who said the same last year.

  • horizontal stack of U.S. dollar bills breaking in half

    ED Abruptly Cancels ESSER Funding Extensions

    The Department of Education has moved to close the door on COVID relief funding for schools, declaring that "extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion."

  • pattern of icons for math and reading, including a pi symbol, calculator, and open book

    HMH Launches Personalized Path Solution

    Adaptive learning company HMH has introduced HMH Personalized Path, a K-8 ELA and math product that combines intervention curriculum, adaptive practice, and assessment for students of all achievement levels.