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

  • semi-transparent AI brain with circuit elements under a microscope

    AI 'Microscope' Reveals the Hidden Mechanics of LLM Thought

    Anthropic has introduced new research tools designed to provide a rare glimpse into the hidden reasoning processes of advanced language models — like a "microscope" for AI.

  • digital illustration of Estonia with glowing neural network-like connections spreading across the map

    Estonia to Roll Out ChatGPT Edu for all Secondary Schools

    In a nationwide artificial intelligence program dubbed "AI Leap 2025," the country of Estonia plans to provide free access to leading AI applications for all secondary school students and teachers. The initiative will launch with a rollout of ChatGPT Edu to 20,000 high school students in grades 10-11 and their 3,000 teachers, beginning Sept. 1.

  • DreamBox Math

    Discovery Education Announces Accessibility Enhancements for DreamBox Math

    Discovery Education has updated DreamBox Math, an online math program for K–8 students to supplement core instruction, to improve accessibility for K–5 students, according to a news release. DreamBox Math provides personalized instruction by adapting to individual learners’ responses and providing an engaging, dynamic learning environment.

  • teenager interacts with a chatbot on a computer screen

    Character.AI Rolls Out New Parental Insights Feature Amid Safety Concerns

    Chatbot platform Character.AI has introduced a new Parental Insights feature aimed at giving parents a window into their children's activity on the platform. The feature allows users under 18 to share a weekly report of their chatbot interactions directly with a parent's e-mail address.