Past meeting webcasts of the California State Board of Education (SBE).

“Mission U.S.” is a multimedia project that immerses players in U.S. history content through free, interactive online games.

Mission 1, “For Crown or Colony?,” puts players in the shoes of Nat Wheeler, a printer’s apprentice in 1770 Boston. They encounter both Patriots and Loyalists, and when rising tensions result in the Boston Massacre, they must choose where their loyalties lie.

In Mission 2, “Flight to Freedom,” players take on the role of Lucy, a 14-year-old slave in Kentucky. As they navigate her escape and journey to Ohio, they discover that life in the “free” North is dangerous and difficult. In 1850, the Fugitive Slave Act brings disaster. Will Lucy ever truly be free?

These interactive learning games were produced by public television station THIRTEEN in conjunction with New York’s WNET, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Other missions are planned for release in 2013 and 2014.

http://www.mission-us.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Turnitin Adds Voice Comments to GradeMark for Faster Grading and More Substantive Feedback on Student Writing
Educators grade even faster and give more personalized audio feedback using leading online grading tool

OAKLAND, Calif. – May 15, 2012 – Turnitin, the global leader in originality checking and online grading, today announced the release of Voice Comments, a simple and efficient way for instructors to offer feedback on student writing. The new Voice Comments feature better engages students in the writing process by providing them with clear, personalized and substantive feedback, while saving instructors time during the grading process by eliminating the need to type comments. Voice Comments is currently available in beta version within GradeMark, Turnitin’s award-winning online grading tool.

A recorded webcast, “More than Words: Using Voice Comments to Provide Effective Feedback,” reviews the new Voice Comments feature in GradeMark. Watch it now at: http://pages.turnitin.com/Plag_0508_archive.html.

“The Voice Comments feature in GradeMark is easy, intuitive and can save instructors grading time,” said Cindy Raisor, instructor at Texas A&M University. “Voice Comments not only increase the quality of the feedback I leave on student papers but also increase the chances that the student will take the feedback to heart.”

“With the addition of Voice Comments to GradeMark, educators can save even more time grading online and give students more personalized feedback,” said Chris Caren, chairman and CEO of Turnitin. “Compared to written feedback, Voice Comments allow students to better understand their instructor’s thought process when grading, the context and tone of the comments, and why they received the grade they did on a given assignment.”

The speed in which Voice Comments are recorded make them especially useful for giving feedback in large online classes and for distance learning instructors who rarely have the opportunity to speak to their students. Adding a voice comment is a personal, direct means of speaking to students individually and encourages student-teacher engagement.

“GradeMark has increased the quality of my feedback on student papers while reducing the time I spend grading by fifty percent,” said Summer Dittmer, English instructor at Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, CA. “The addition of Voice Comments gives me broader options to engage more deeply with my students.”

To learn more about Turnitin and its new Voice Comments feature, please visit www.turnitin.com.

About Turnitin
Turnitin is the world’s leading web-based solution for plagiarism prevention, used by educators worldwide to check students’ papers for originality, to enable web-based peer review and for digital grading of student work. The Turnitin product family includes iThenticate, the leader in plagiarism detection in research, publishing and other commercial markets. Together, these solutions check millions of documents each month and are used in over 100 countries. Turnitin is a registered trademark of iParadigms, LLC, headquartered in Oakland, CA with an international office located in Newcastle, United Kingdom. iParadigms is backed by Warburg Pincus. http://www.turnitin.com and http://www.ithenticate.com

Turnitin Media Contacts:
Chris Harrick, Vice President of Marketing
Phone: +(1) 510.764.7579
Email: charrick@turnitin.com

Christine Allman
Phone: +(1) 410.975.9638
Email: christine@kehcomm.com

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Stuttgart, May 15th, 2012. Stuttgart-based company Conceptboard offers the perfect complement for netbook and iPad classes and the topic of “bring-your-own-device” in classrooms: one platform for interactive online collaboration.

The use of new media in the classroom is becoming increasingly important. Teachers and professors are no longer only employing conventional teaching materials but are also integrating the possibilities of state-of-the-art IT into their lesson plans. Conceptboard offers a valuable addition in this respect in the form of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). The maintenance-free online platform that can be accessed from anywhere enables seamless collaboration with any desired teaching materials – in real time or asynchronously. Teachers and professors can use the tool to interactively configure their lesson plans as well as to freely work with drawings, diagrams and documents together with their students. Content is created, imported and discussed in Conceptboard and assignments are completed directly in the classroom or from home – on classic PCs and laptops as well as on iPads and digital whiteboards.

Conceptboard makes it easy to prepare and give interactive presentations when teaching. Students are directly involved and participate live in the classroom using various devices (e.g. laptops, iPads and digital whiteboards). Integration with other tools such as Moodle, Wikis etc. is not a problem. The platform also supports student group work. Students can work on the content directly on the boards and discuss it. The functions of a bulletin board, flip chart and whiteboard are combined with the advantages of a digital work environment in the tool. Students can also continue to work on assignments and classroom results from home. Teachers and professors can manage, check and provide feedback on the work on Conceptboard at any time. “I work as an online language instructor and tutor,” says André Klein, a Hebrew teacher in Israel. “It is wonderful to have a tool I can use for sketching, commenting and demonstrating various concepts or workflows. We do lots of exercises with Conceptboard during class.”

Conceptboard GmbH
Conceptboard GmbH provides an online platform for teamwork on ideas and documents on a visual basis. Without endless email threads, concepts and documents can be developed, commented on and discussed. Conceptboard can be used as a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) without installation and offers work space for real-time collaboration and asynchronous access.

Conceptboard GmbH was founded in the fall of 2010 by Daniel Bohn and Christian Schröder, with the participation of private investors Michael Pott, Matthias Storch and Christopher Münchhoff. At the beginning of 2012, High-Tech Gründerfonds and Seedfonds Baden-Württemberg also became Conceptboard investors.

Press Contact
Conceptboard GmbH
Kathleen Fritzsche
Ossietzkystraße 4
70174 Stuttgart
Tel.: +49 711 50 888 02 40
Fax: +49 711 50 888 02 49

CTB/MCGRAW-HILL AND BRAINPOP COLLABORATE TO DELIVER PERSONALIZED LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR K–8 STUDENTS

Strategic alliance integrates BrainPOP’s award-winning animated educational resources with CTB’s Acuity assessment solution to provide an engaging, personalized learning experience for students and an unprecedented level of insight to teachers.

MONTEREY, Calif., May 14, 2012 – CTB/McGraw-Hill, one of the nation’s leading educational assessment partners, today announced that it is collaborating with BrainPOP®, creator of animated educational resources, to integrate BrainPOP’s award-winning content for K–8 students into CTB’s Acuity InFormative Assessment solution. The collaboration enables educators to use students’ Acuity assessment results to assign BrainPOP instructional resources that are targeted to students’ individual learning needs. Offering BrainPOP’s animated movies and quizzes alongside Acuity’s existing instructional resources allows CTB and BrainPOP to provide students and instructors with a deeper instructional experience.

Used by more than 100,000 teachers and 1.5 million students nationwide, the Acuity InFormative Assessment solution – available for students in grades K–12 – helps teachers effectively gauge performance and deliver tailored instruction for every student. Among its most popular features are Acuity Instructional Resources, a blend of supplemental instruction and practice assessment questions that provides educators with additional insight into a student’s knowledge or skills in a particular area. Within moments of student completing an Acuity assessment, teachers can assign resources that target the student’s most critical areas of need.

“Our extensive work with students, teachers and schools has shown us just how valuable instructional resources are in evaluating and improving student performance,” said Tom Moellering, senior product manager for Acuity at CTB/McGraw-Hill. “By collaborating with BrainPOP, we’re not only creating an instructional experience that deeply engages students, we’re giving teachers more insight than ever before to help them personalize and enhance their instruction based on student needs.”

Science-based research provides strong evidence for the effectiveness of BrainPOP, which is fully aligned to academic standards including Common Core. Its digital content appeals to students with a range of learning styles and can be used in classrooms, at home, and on mobile devices.

Through the collaboration, BrainPOP will make a breadth of English Language Arts, Math, and Science content available to its subscribers through Acuity. The resources available through Acuity will span both BrainPOP and BrainPOP Jr. (K-3). Additionally, BrainPOP will offer a selection of free content for Acuity subscribers without BrainPOP subscriptions.

“BrainPOP is committed to facilitating achievement and improving educational outcomes,” said Avraham Kadar, M.D., founder and chief executive officer of BrainPOP. “Our focus on creating engaging resources that bridge the knowledge gap for students goes hand in hand with our commitment to helping teachers achieve their goals in the classroom. To this end, we are pleased to embark on an exciting and very promising collaboration with CTB/McGraw-Hill.”

Through strategic alliances and product development, CTB is continually working to improve the instructional and assessment experience offered by Acuity, which has received eight industry awards and twice been named “Best Upgraded Product” by Tech & Learning magazine.

For more information on Acuity, please visit: www.ctb.com/acuity.

About CTB/McGraw-Hill
CTB/McGraw-Hill has an 85-year record of innovation and excellence in assessment, and serves more than 18 million students in all 50 states and in 49 countries. One of the first American publishers to introduce objective, standardized achievement tests to schools, today CTB/McGraw-Hill is a leader in testing with recognized products for online interim and formative, adult, and language proficiency assessment. Dedicated to advancing the use of student performance data to inform instructional decision making, CTB/McGraw-Hill’s innovation continues today with technologies that include Web-based assessment and reporting, student response device software, and artificial intelligence for automated scoring of student essays. CTB/McGraw-Hill is part of McGraw-Hill Education, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP). McGraw-Hill Education is a leading global provider of instructional, assessment and reference solutions that empower professionals and students of all ages. For more information, visit CTB.com/AboutUs.

About BrainPOP
BrainPOP® (www.brainpop.com) creates animated, curricular content that engages students, supports teachers, and bolsters achievement – in classrooms, at home, and on mobile devices. Our proven and award-winning educational resources, uniquely suited for 21st century learning, include BrainPOP Jr. ® (K-3), BrainPOP, BrainPOP Español, and BrainPOP ESL. Our newest offering, GameUp™, highlights top, free educational games and aligns them to academic topics. All of our resources are supported by BrainPOP Educators, a free professional community more than 175,000 teachers strong. Aligned to academic standards and easy to use, BrainPOP sites host more than 11 million visits each month.

Walden University’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership Receives NCATE Accreditation

National accreditation affirms quality of Walden’s preK–12 educator degree programs

Minneapolis—May 14, 2012—Walden University announced today that The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership has received accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). NCATE accreditation, the recognized standard of excellence in professional education for the preparation of teachers, administrators and other preK–12 education professionals, indicates that the college has met rigorous standards set by the profession and members of the public.

“Receiving NCATE accreditation is a significant milestone in Walden’s more than 40-year history of educating educators. This important achievement strengthens our resolve to foster a dynamic and diverse network of educators who positively impact student achievement, drive change and influence the future of education,” said Dr. Cynthia Baum, president of Walden University.

NCATE, which helps establish high-quality teacher, specialist and administrator preparation, is a voluntary accreditation and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as an accrediting body for schools, colleges and departments of education. NCATE is composed of more than 30 professional and policymaker organizations that assess six standards, including educator knowledge, skills and professional dispositions; the college’s assessment system and evaluation; field experiences and clinical practice; diversity; faculty qualifications, performance and development; and governance and resources.

“Walden is a driving force in preK through 12 education, whose proud legacy of bringing quality, accessible education to our invaluable teachers, administrators and other education professionals is very strong. I congratulate the university for seeking and earning NCATE accreditation, and I am confident Walden will continue preparing future generations of educators to make a profound difference in our nation’s classrooms, schools and districts,” said Richard W. Riley, the former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education for whom the college is named.

The Riley College of Education and Leadership is dedicated to improving educator effectiveness and preparing educators to make a positive impact on student achievement. The college awarded the fourth-highest number of TEACH Grants to students nationwide in 2010–2011, according to the U.S. Department of Education, and is the choice of more than 52,000 students and alumni, including more than 60 state teachers of the year.

“Educators are critical to the advancement and success of our society. NCATE accreditation reaffirms Walden’s commitment to supporting the development of education professionals so they, in turn, can support the development of their own students and learning communities,” said Dr. Kate Steffens, dean of the Riley College of Education and Leadership.

From the teacher preparation program to doctoral degree programs, the college supports the needs of educators at all levels, at every phase of their careers. The college is a proud alliance partner of the National Education Association (NEA) Academy and a year-round sponsor of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). For more information about degree programs in the Riley College of Education and Leadership, visit www.WaldenU.edu/education.

About Walden University
For more than 40 years, Walden University has supported working professionals in achieving their academic goals and making a greater impact in their professions and their communities. Today, more than 48,500 students from all 50 states and more than 140 countries are pursuing their bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees online at Walden. The university provides students with an engaging educational experience that connects them with expert faculty and peers around the world. Walden is the flagship online university in the Laureate International Universities network—a global network of more than 55 campus-based and online universities in 28 countries.

Walden offers more than 65 degree programs with more than 330 specializations and concentrations. Areas of study include health sciences, counseling, human services, management, psychology, education, public health, nursing, public administration and information technology. For more information, visit www.WaldenU.edu. Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org.
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BrainWare Safari Closes Cognitive Gaps for Students with Specific Learning Disabilities
Study Shows Improvement in Executive Functions, Attention and Working Memory

CHICAGO, IL (May 15, 2012) – Groundbreaking research has demonstrated that a comprehensive, integrated cognitive skills training program can raise the cognitive functioning of students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) to parity with normally developing students. The results were presented in May at the Learning and the Brain Conference in Arlington, VA and in a Neuroscience in Education Webinar.

Students in the study who used BrainWare Safari for 12 weeks improved their cognitive functioning by 2.8 years compared to 2 months for a control group. Their overall cognitive proficiency increased from 64% to 89%, where 90% is the expected proficiency for a normally developing student. The control group improved just 1 point in cognitive proficiency, from 63% to 64%.

SLD is a disorder in one or more basic psychological processes. While students with SLD often have deficits in cognitive processes, such as executive functions, verbal and visual working memory, and processing speed, support for students with SLD has typically focused on accommodating rather than remediating their deficits. This new research shows, for the first time, the effective remediation of key underlying psychological processes for students with SLD.

“Previous research has suggested that students with SLD must develop their underlying cognitive skills in order to benefit from interventions,” said Dr. Sarah Avtzon, the study’s leader and an Assistant Professor and Director of Early Childhood Development at Daemen College. “These results show not only that we can help students develop these critical skills but the cognitive improvements translate into dramatic gains in reading and math performance.”

The SLD students in the study who used BrainWare Safari improved their reading ability by 0.8 grade equivalent (GE) in 12 weeks, compared to 0.1 GE for the control group. Math performance improved by a full grade equivalent for the study group, compared to 0.2 GE for the control group.

Concludes Dr. Avtzon, “By targeting the underlying processing skills most directly linked with academic performance, we can close the achievement gap between students with SLD and typically developing peers.”

About BrainWare Safari
Chicago-based Learning Enhancement Corporation is the developer of award-winning BrainWare Safari, software that uses motivating video-game technology to develop 41 cognitive skills comprehensively and in an integrated manner. For further information, visit www.MyBrainWare.com.

Contact:
Betsy Hill
BHill@learningenhancement.com
312-239-2677

Localized control and connections, streaming audio support offer progressive solutions to enhance outdoor audio installations

BOSTON, May 15, 2012 — Technomad introduces several new product accessories at InfoComm 2012 to complement its advanced audio solutions range. The innovative tools give systems integrators and end users flexible new options to simplify Technomad installations in stadiums, on college campuses and across other indoor/outdoor facilities.

At InfoComm (June 13-15, Las Vegas Convention Center, Booth C12033), Technomad introduces a weatherproof breakout box and Apple AirPort Express audio streaming compatibility for its range of PowerChiton amplifier modules. The company will also show a new stainless steel mounting solution for its high-power weatherproof loudspeaker models.

“Technomad is always seeking ways to increase the range of applications for our products, and make life easier for systems integrators by innovating solutions that address installation challenges in the field,” said Rodger von Kries, vice president, Technomad.

PowerChiton Breakout Box
The PowerChiton range of passively-cooled, IP66-rated weatherproof amplifier modules — available in four power levels up to 1600 watts — have grown increasingly popular in outdoor audio projects where installers wish to co-locate amplification with loudspeakers, from athletic field complexes to university campus mass notification systems. The compact and low profile of PowerChiton amplifier modules — along with the rugged, weatherproof design — enables sound contractors to easily install the modules on light poles and other surfaces at any height.

Technomad now introduces a specialized PowerChiton breakout box that enables local audio control at user-friendly locations in the same NEMA-style protective enclosure. Contractors can install the breakout box at eye level, for example, allowing end users to adjust volume and connect a handheld microphone or an iPod on the fly.

The PowerChiton breakout box, which begins shipping July 1, includes mic and line level inputs, a four-channel mixer, an accessory cord and mounting hardware. The breakout box also enables remote installations, such as athletic fields without a press box or other protected location, to benefit from permanently-installed, PowerChiton-based PA systems. A coach or announcer can walk up to the breakout box, open it and be speaking through the PA or playing music within seconds.

“Installers typically only open PowerChiton amplifiers to hard-wire connections and set levels, and then screw the box shut for dependable, permanent installations,” said von Kries. “The PowerChiton breakout box is designed for ongoing user adjustments, with easy and direct access to controls and the capacity to store an audio player and microphone. It also provides a local audio source to make announcements and connect an iPod or other playout device.”

Technomad also now supports AirPlay capability from PowerChiton for Apple AirPort Express users. This allows commercial and residential customers to wirelessly stream iTunes audio files and playlists to an AirPort Express unit within a PowerChiton amplifier or breakout box. Users require only the hardware and a basic network or Wi-Fi connection to wirelessly stream audio from a computer or playout device to the PowerChiton — reducing costs and infrastructure associated with traditional wiring and cabling.

New Wall Mount Solution
Technomad is now shipping a new stainless steel wall mount for its AS Series of weatherproof, advanced audio loudspeakers. The AS Series consists of the largest and most powerful Technomad loudspeakers, including the Noho and all Berlin models (broad and narrow-dispersion).

Unlike older styles, the new Technomad wall mount accessory allows installers to position any AS Series loudspeaker vertically or horizontally. The stainless steel design prevents weather-related erosion over time, and pole-mount adaption simplifies lighting and telephone pole installations.

Technomad will also show a range of existing advanced audio solutions, including its ultra-lightweight DragonFly remote audio system; and its Schedulon audio playback and recording system.

ABOUT TECHNOMAD
Technomad LLC, founded in 1995, designs and manufactures loudspeaker systems for the professional audio and security/military technology industries. The company invented the first reliable full-range weatherproof loudspeaker and now offers nine models ranging in power from 60-watt loudspeakers to 1250-watt subwoofers — most available in Turnkey PA System packages featuring amplifiers, mixers and other signal processing equipment in pre-wired racks. The company also manufactures a variety of audio infrastructure and communications equipment including playback and recording systems, weatherproof power amplifiers and turnkey remote audio systems. Contact Technomad at 617-275-8898 or visit www.technomad.com for more information.

Youngstown, OH – Turning Technologies, the global leader in response technology, announced today the issuance to it by the United States Patent and Trademark Office of a continuation patent for a wireless communication system.

Patent number 8,150,380 was issued on April 3, 2012. It is the fourth U.S. patent that protects the functionality of the ResponseCard RF devices and complementary receivers. The patent technology provides the platform for many of Turning’s product advantages including communication speed, minimal battery usage with long battery life, as well as the ability to package devices as convenient, extremely durable and reliable ResponseCard keypads.

ResponseCard keypads, commonly referred to as “clickers,” are handheld devices that allow participants to respond to interactive polling software. Using RF technology, responses are transmitted accurately, timely and effortlessly to a base receiver. Aggregated results are displayed on screen for group viewing and are able to be analyzed in detailed reports.

“We are pleased the United States Patent and Trademark Office continues to recognize our unique and proprietary approach to response technology,” said CEO Mike Broderick. “Turning Technologies is truly committed to growing and strengthening the protection of our intellectual property. We have made an enormous investment into our unique best of breed solutions and will continue to do so in the future.”
For more information about Turning Technologies’ latest patent, visit the uspto.gov.
About Turning Technologies:
Turning Technologies creates leading assessment delivery and data collection solutions for learning environments. Founded in 2002, the company began with the development of response technology that was affordable, user-friendly and better documented so that users could easily grasp its benefits. Today, more than four million ResponseCard keypads have been delivered to K-12 schools, universities and businesses worldwide. Turning has expanded its portfolio of products to include data collection systems that securely transfer digital data for various assessment, testing and certification programs. Based in Youngstown, OH, information on Turning Technologies’ solutions can be found at www.TurningTechnologies.com.

John Harrington will discuss the role of the E-rate program and its influence on the future of broadband connectivity at two major upcoming broadband panels

Edmond, Okla. (May 15, 2012) – Funds For Learning, the nation’s largest E-rate compliance firm, announces details of CEO John Harrington’s upcoming broadband panel discussions. Harrington will participate in two major panel presentations during the month of May, focusing on the role of the E-rate on broadband expansion.

On Monday, May 21, Harrington will participate as part of the State Educational Technology Directors Association’s (SETDA) report and briefing in Washington, D.C. The report, titled The Broadband Imperative: Recommendations to Address K-12 Education Infrastructure Needs, discusses the current state of broadband access in the classroom. Panelists will discuss recommendations and best practices that will assist applicants in obtaining the funding for broadband services.

On Thursday, May 24, Harrington will address attendees of the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition’s (SHLB) ”Creating Sustainable Broadband Solutions for Communities and Anchor Institutions” in Arlington, Va. Harrington’s panel, E-rate: Strategies for Last Mile Connections for Schools and Libraries, will provide an update on the recent changes to the E-rate program, common participant pitfalls and the potential benefit for schools and libraries.

“The FCC has recognized the growing role of broadband Internet in schools and the surrounding communities,” said Harrington. “But with tightening budgets, broadband deployment isn’t within the financial grasp of many of the nation’s poorest school districts. This is where E-rate can help.”

The E-rate program provides discounts on certain services and products that are essential for classrooms and libraries to receive voice, video and data communications. Funds For Learning has overseen more than $1 billion in applications for E-rate funding since the program’s inception in 1997.

“Funding for educational technologies isn’t going away, but it is changing,” said Harrington. “In an environment of constant change, it is necessary to seek sustainable funding solutions.”

Interested parties can register for the discussions by visiting the SETDA and SHLB websites.

About Funds For Learning
Funds For Learning, LLC, is an E-rate compliance firm specializing in guiding E-rate applicants and service providers through the complex and ever-changing E-rate regulatory process. With more than 150 combined years of experience in providing professional advice and assistance relating to the E-rate program, Funds For Learning exists to provide high-quality solutions for the needs of E-rate stakeholders. The company was established in 1997 and is headquartered in Edmond, Okla. For more information, visit www.fundsforlearning.com or phone 405-341-4140.

Media Contacts
• Cathy Cruzan, Funds For Learning, LLC, 405-471-0900, ccruzan@fundsforlearning.com

• Emily Embury, C. Blohm & Associates, 608-216-7300 x19, emily@cblohm.com

Webinar presents the Empowering Writers Approach to Common Core

MONROE, CT May 15, 2012- With the Common Core standards being implemented across the country, Empowering Writers says, you don’t have to sacrifice the depth of your writing instruction to address the breadth of the Common Core. Empowering Writers, leading provider of K-8 professional development for the instruction of writing, has risen to the occasion, satisfying Common Core requirements practically and effectively with its Essential Guides to Writing for grades 2 – 5

With today’s focus on the Common Core and the concern about test scores, an approach in which students “just write” is no longer going to make the grade. Throughout the school year, students must be exposed to all genres of writing, in all areas of the curriculum, and be ready to write for a variety of purposes.

Clearly, the traditional, “units of study” approach focusing on a single genre at a time will not be effective under the new Common Core expectations. In Empowering Writers’ new webinar, “How CCSS Impacts Writing Instruction” Empowering Writer’s Co-Founder, Barbara Mariconda, explains, “Students will not retain genre-specific skills when they’re taught a month at a time, then left behind. There’s just too much to remember and expectations are too great when testing time comes. Studies show that when we revisit and apply skills in an ongoing way, retention rates rise. Students need to be exposed to many genres of writing in meaningful ways throughout the year, giving them the opportunity to apply skills and relate their writing to what they read.”

With the Essential Guides to Writing, Empowering Writers provides breadth and depth by delivering comprehensive background and lessons in every genre, woven thematically throughout the year. The books were designed in this way to address the Common Core ELA Standards which state that at a curricular or instructional level, within and across grade levels, students need to be exposed to themes that will generate knowledge and allow students to delve into them in depth. Each month the Essential Guides to Writing include detailed lesson plans with clear objectives, foundational lessons in all genres (narrative, expository, opinion, persuasive) research, revision and process writing activities, and tools for building the reading-writing connection. Mentor texts, student writing samples, and literature connections are included. These Essential Guides also give teachers the power to “make it their own” by dropping their own content material into their lesson prototypes.

To hear more about how the Empowering Writers Approach with the CCSS: http://vimeo.com/41704437

About Empowering Writers, LLC:
Stemming from real world experience, the methodology and techniques behind Empowering Writers have been developed by veteran classroom teachers, Barbara Mariconda and Dea Paoletta Auray while teaching at Mill Hill School in CT. Over a five-year period at Mill Hill, their efforts to bring a consistent, effective approach to the instruction of writing was fine-tuned and perfected. After realizing a 45-point increase in narrative writing scores with their 4th graders, Mariconda and Auray co-founded Empowering Writers, LLC in order to share their high impact methodologies on a larger scale. http://info.empoweringwriters.com/www.empoweringwriters.com
Company Contact:
Art Jureller
Empowering Writers, LLC
203-452-8301
ajureller@empoweringwriters.com

Press Contact
Sue Hanson
PR with Panaché
763-657-0987

State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Urges Parents to Vaccinate Children and Prevent Whooping Cough.

Gravic, Inc. is pleased to announce a new streamlined test grading solution to save teachers time and schools money on grading tests, assessments and quizzes. The Remark Test Grading Edition is built on the market leading foundation of the popular Remark Office OMR software. For over 20 years, the Remark Office OMR software has allowed schools to print their own answer sheets on plain paper and use image scanners or multi-function machines (MFD) to scan their tests, surveys and other forms. Remark Test Grading Edition includes the power of Remark Office OMR but simplifies the test grading process to its core. This new streamlined test grading software walks educators through the steps for printing test forms, scanning them in and grading them. The Remark Test Grading Edition frees schools from the burden and cost of expensive pre-printed forms and dedicated scanning machines.

The software contains a variety of standard test answer sheets with multiple choice questions in various quantities and answer schemas. You print these standard forms on plain-paper so you can avoid expensive pre-printed forms on special paper. The software stores teacher, class, test and student information and embeds this information on your answer sheets for easy identification. Include subjective points for essays and other write in questions.

You can turn any scanner or MFD into a test grading machine with the Remark Test Grading Edition. Scanning your completed tests is performed using an image scanner or multi-function machine so there is no need for expensive dedicated form readers. Review your scanned tests on-screen for easy exception handling. In addition, you can set up a hot folder for images being scanned from your MFD. When started, the software automatically checks this folder and processes any test answer sheets it finds.

After your tests have been scanned use the built-in grading analysis to generate a variety of reports. The software grades the test and produces reports for item analysis, student scores, test statistics and more. It also produces a student grade report for each student that can be printed and handed back to the student. Grades can be exported to a variety of gradebook and student management systems.

If you would like more information on the new Remark Test Grading Edition please visit: www.remarktestgrading.com

About Gravic, Inc.

Gravic, Inc. is a world leader in providing innovative data collection, transformation, and distribution solutions. For over 30 years, our software product groups have produced technologically advanced solutions that improve the businesses and personal lives of our over 50,000 customers.

Used in thousands of schools across the globe, Gravic’s Remark software products save time and money in the collection and analysis of data from paper and web surveys, tests, assessments, evaluations and other forms. Interested readers can visit the Gravic website and sign up to receive more information at www.remarktestgrading.com or call 1.800.858.0860 for more information.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New HearBuilder Sequencing Super Fun Deck from Super Duper

Greenville, SC – May 14, 2012 – Super Duper Publications has created a companion product to their award-winning HearBuilder Sequencing educational software. The brand new HearBuilder Sequencing Super Fun Deck, which also works well as a stand-alone deck for those who do not have the HearBuilder program, reinforces sequencing, comprehension, and critical thinking skills that are vital in helping students become successful readers.

HearBuilder Sequencing Super Fun Deck, for ages 5 to 12 (grades K to 6), has 144 double-sided, colorful, illustrated cards (3 ¼” x 4 ¼”) featuring 32 different sets of events. The front side of each card has a Story Sequence, showing a character performing an everyday activity. Students put the cards in the proper order to tell the story logically. The back side of the card has an Instructional Sequence, where students envision themselves performing the task. They use the word cues on the card to create a series of events, which further enhances their sequencing skills. Players begin with three-step sequences and progress to six-step sequences. To view a video, click here.

This Super Fun Deck also has an instruction booklet, with game ideas which provides many creative ways to use the cards in a classroom setting or at home. In addition, a sturdy metal storage tin protects the cards while not in use.

Super Duper offers many products to teach important sequencing skills. HearBuilder Sequencing – 2-6 Step Sequences is research-based software that has received recognition from prestigious awards programs such as Creative Child, Children’s Technology Review, Family Choice, The National Parenting Center, and Parents’ Choice. 2, 3, 4 Sequences Galore is a pictorial activities book and printable CD-ROM that teaches two-, three-, and four-step sequences. Super Duper also offers many free Handy Handouts for educators and parents on the subject of sequencing.

Super Duper Publications creates enjoyable, engaging educational materials for children with special needs and communication or language delays. The Super Duper website offers a wide variety of products for teachers, therapy professionals, and parents to use with children in a classroom, therapy setting, and at home.

To see the full line of Super Duper products, click here.

Media Contacts:

Kati Elliott Katherine Russo
KEH Communications KEH Communications
410.975.9638 410.975.9638
kati@kehcomm.com katherine@kehcomm.com

The U.S. is about to experience interactive 3D learning with the first visit to New York by Britain’s leading 3D education provider—Gaia Technologies. Gaia’s 3D team will be holding 4 days of demonstrations and briefings in New York City on May 14-17 for principals, teachers, and other education leaders.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore the exciting potential 3D interactive technologies offer in transforming instruction and improving academic achievement in schools in New York City and throughout the U.S.

“In Britain the Gaia 3D has demonstrated fantastic results by working closely with teachers over the last four years, developing content across the curriculum that truly engages students, bringing subjects to life” says CEO Anas Mawla of Gaia Technologies. “We’ve deliberately designed Gaia 3D content in partnership with teachers so that our 3D graphic artists can create computer game-quality visuals and learning environments.

Interactive content is king, and already over 10% of the school curriculum in England and Wales is now fully interactive with Gaia 3D content, and it continues to grow and develop every day.”

Gaia 3D systems are now being used in schools, academies, colleges and universities across Great Britain striving to create a culture of academic achievement and improved performance. Gaia Technologies works with more than 500 British schools and is one of Britain’s fastest growing educational businesses.

This is Gaia’s first visit to the U.S., and they have selected the largest school district in America—New York City—to demonstrate their engaging, inspiring, and innovative strategies.

“Our New York City showcase May 14-17 is a great opportunity for Gaia to develop partnerships with NYC schools and their instructional leaders. We are committed to developing and supporting programs in schools that can deliver the same amazing student experience and results that Gaia 3D is providing in Great Britain”, added Anas Mawla.

We invite you to meet Anas Mawla, CEO and the Gaia 3D team at the Millennium Hilton at 8.30am on Tuesday, May 15, where you can personally experience Gaia’s interactive 3D learning technologies in action. You will become familiar with the creative power of 3D, its unique application to instruction, sneaking learning while engaging students and making academic achievement a reality.

FFor further details:

Dafydd Davies
Development Manager – 3D
Gaia Technologies PLC
Woodlands House
Parc Menai, Bangor
Wales, UK LL57 4FA
E: dafydd.davies@gaia-tech.com
M: 00 44 7841 764044
Skype: Dafydd-BIC

Notes to Editors:

• The Press Demonstration and Briefing is being held at 8.30am on 15/5 at the Millenium Hilton, New York and is allocated to journalists. There is no need to use Eventbrite, just email dafydd.davies@gaia-tech to book your place. There will be opportunities for interviews with Anas Mawla and the team, 3D visuals and a full demonstration.
• School principals, teachers and educationalists are booking their personal 60 minute demonstrations May 14-17 using www.gaia3d.eventbrite.com, offering direct opportunities to explore with them the potential of the Gaia 3D learning system in their individual institutions.
• Further information on the New York Showcase can be found at http://www.gaia3d.co.uk/news/the-big-apple-goes-3d/, and includes the invitation sent to principals.
• Visit the www.gaia3d.co.uk website for information on the Gaia 3D software and content, view research papers, case studies and you can also download demonstration software and content.
• Gaia Technologies plc is based in Bangor, North Wales, Great Britain, and directly supports schools across the UK delivering innovative Managed ICT services incl Gaia 3D and is working with a growing Gaia 3D international reseller network to support schools across Europe, the Middle and Far East.
• We have wide ranging case studies of schools and academies who have harnessed Gaia 3D to transform the performance of students and we are working with several UK universities to develop higher education and research-based 3D learning.

Hi and hope this email finds you well!

Hi and I hope this finds you well!
For your next feature, please considerTheCollegeTourist.com, a site that allows students to share the best aspects about their college town.

Selecting a university is a big decision, based not only on academics and social life, but location and type of college town.TheCollegeTourist.comallows students to share their college journey, inspire others to write about theirs and communicate invaluable information to one another. It is a community of knowledge created for college students, by college students.

More about College Tourist

College Tourist launched in April 2012 and provides a digital method for students to share the best of their own college town, such as where to eat, shop or just hang out. The College Tourist team provides a site which creates a community of local knowledge and shared experiences for college students to inspire one another. Furthermore, the College Tourist blog enhances the website experience with blog posts that encompass travel, fashion and food. The College Tourist team has traveled extensively and lived in numerous countries around the world including Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and Australia, before settling in to life in the United States.

For more information on the College Tourist project, please visit www.thecollegetourist.com. For press inquiries, interview requests, or hi res images, please contact katherine@blinkpr.com or call 305-490-5911
We hope to work with you soon!

Thanks,

Katherine
–
Katherine Fleischman
Founder + President
blink Public Relations
cell- 305.490.5911
katherine@blinkpr.com

http://www.blinkpr.com

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (May 14, 2012) – Remember when you graduated from the sixth grade and immediately went to interview for a CEO position at a national company? Didn’t go so well, did it? Especially when they asked for your references and you provided the contact information for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Manhole Cover #723, NY, NY).

Turns out a lot of prospective employers prefer that their employees be educated. At a minimum, “educated” usually means a high school diploma. So what are the options for someone without a high school diploma? Shine shoes, clean windshields or become an actor? Things can’t be that desperate, can they?

Enter the GED. This high school equivalency exam gives individuals who might otherwise struggle trying to find their place in the workforce an opportunity to thrive. Shmoop. a publisher of digital curriculum and test prep, is now offering a comprehensive guide to the GED that will prepare hopefuls in advance of this all-important test. The guide won’t be able to recreate the unique experience of sitting through Study Hall; but take a half-hour nap then carve your girlfriend’s name into the top of your desk, and you should be good to go.

• Learn how to conquer “real-world” math situations such as counting change, filling pools and measuring the distance from the base of a tree to the end of its shadow. When measuring giant redwood shadows, please remember to pack a pair of comfortable shoes.
• Get the scoop on how to analyze everything from poetry to plays to your parents’ relationship. “Yes, Mom, but how does it make you feel?”
• Infer like a laboratory boss, learn all the “unzip your genes” jokes fit to print and discover the real reason Pluto is no longer a planet (we hear it got in trouble for pantsing Orion, who should have tightened his belt).
• Become well-versed in the history of everything – or at least the United States and the world – and sharpen your skills with sections on civics and government, geography, and economics. Wait – there was another Tea Party?
• Discover how to slice and dice sentences like a ninja, muscle your way through an essay and ace all those questions about organization, usage and mechanics. It’s okay – the grammar Nazis won’t bother you any longer. Their, they’re.

It’s a man (with a high school diploma)’s world out there, and Shmoop can help students without that little rolled-up piece of paper succeed in spite of it. GED doesn’t quite stand for “Guaranteed, Easy Degree,” but with Shmoop’s guide, you will feel like it does.

About Shmoop
Shmoop is a digital curriculum and test prep company that makes fun, rigorous learning and teaching materials. Shmoop content is written by master teachers and Ph.D. students from Stanford, Harvard, UC Berkeley, and other top universities. Shmoop Learning Guides, SAT Prep, and Teacher’s Editions balance a teen-friendly, approachable style with academically rigorous materials to help students understand how subjects relate to their daily lives. Shmoop offers more than 7,000 titles across the Web, iPhone, Android devices, iPad, Kindle, Nook, and Sony Reader. The company has been honored twice by the Webby Awards and was named “Best in Tech” for 2010 and 2011 by Scholastic Administrator. Launched in 2008, Shmoop is headquartered in a labradoodle-patrolled office in Mountain View, California.

Media Contacts
• Emily Embury, C. Blohm & Associates, 608-216-7300 x19, emily@cblohm.com

SONOMA, Calif. (May 14, 2012) — BookheadEd Learning, LLC, publisher of StudySync (www.studysync.com), the web-based collaborative curriculum, announced today that its flagship product has been named a finalist in the 2012 AEP Awards, in the “Innovation” category. Honoring excellence and innovation in the education community, the Awards are the longest-running and most highly regarded recognition program in the industry.

Keeping the focus on innovation, Jay King, StudySync COO, will participate in a panel discussion, Innovation: Lessons from the Front Lines, at AEP’s Content in Context Conference, June 4, in Washington, D.C. Panelists will explore the innovation process — from financing to market analysis to business strategy — and the lessons they discovered as they put their ideas into practice.

For 2012 the AEP Awards were updated to ensure that they remain relevant, recognizing the challenges and needs of education in the 21st Century. Three key principles — quality content, age appropriateness, and innovation — drove the judging criteria and evaluation process for selecting finalists and winners. For a complete list of AEP Awards finalists, go to www.AEPweb.org.

“Each of the finalists represent the highest level of achievement in product development for the education industry,” said EricHamilton, Assistant Director at the American Museum of Natural History and AEP Awards Committee Chair. “In an era where almost anyone can publish and sell their materials, the AEP Awards show the value of professionally developed and vetted learning resources that offer real opportunities for educators to improve student achievement.”

Awards are given in four categories.

1. The Distinguished Achievement Awards (DAAs), honoring the best in a range of product types and resources used by teachers, parents, and students.
2. Innovation Awards, new in 2012, recognizing forward-thinking products that are pioneering changes in the education landscape

3. Beacon Awards, recognizing outstanding marketing of educational products

4. Golden Lamp Awards, one of the most prestigious honors in the education industry, highlighting the “best of the best” products for teaching and learning each year in four categories: Periodicals, Professional Development, Supplemental Resources, and Whole Curriculum Programs.

Products were judged in a three-tier process (educator review, professional review, and certification) with only the best materials advancing to the higher rounds.Having products judged first and foremost by educators is critically important because they know best which products will succeed or fail directly in the classroom and ensures that the winners are truly leaders in the field. All entrants will receive judges’ feedback to help them improve their materials.

AEP Awards Finalists and Winners earn the right to display the AEP Award Seal, nationally recognized by educators, administrators, and parents as a mark of outstanding quality and achievement. Winners will be announced June 5 at AEP’s Content in Context Conference in Washington, DC. For more information and to register, visit www.contentincontext.org.

About the AEP Awards
For more than four decades, the AEP Awards have honored outstanding resources for teaching and learning in all media and for any educational setting. Award winners meet the highest standards for quality, professional content for education and represent the most innovative learning solutions currently on the market. One of the largest and longest-running programs of its kind, the AEP Awards and its seal of excellence are widely recognized by educators, administrators, and parents as a mark of outstanding educational value. Find out more at www.AEPweb.org/awards.

About BookheadEd Learning, LLC
BookheadEd Learning connects high school and middle school students to the great ideas of mankind through technology, multimedia, and a rich library of classic and modern texts. StudySync, its award-winning flagship product, uses web-delivered educational tools – including broadcast-quality video, digital media, mobile platforms and social networking —to help teachers inspire higher levels of students’ reading, writing, critical thinking, academic discourse and peer-to-peer collaboration. StudySync is the recipient of the EDDIE Award from ComputED Gazette, EdTech Digest’s Pacesetter Award and is District Administration Magazine’s “Readers’ Choice Top 100 Products of 2011.” Based in Sonoma, Calif. with an office in Cambridge, Mass., BookheadEd is comprised of educators and experts who believe “Together We’re Smarter.” To learn more about BookheadEd Learning and its StudySync educational platform, visit www.studysync.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Kati Elliott
KEH Communications
410-975-9638
kati@kehcomm.com

Courtney Marsh
Curriculum Associates
978-313-1342
cmarsh@cainc.com

Ohio Approves ‘i-Ready Diagnostic’ as Student Growth Measure

Assessment tool measures student growth with a rich, detailed view of their progress

NORTH BILLERICA, Mass., May 14, 2012 – Curriculum Associates’ i-Ready Diagnostic has been approved by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) as a student growth measure and is now on ODE’s Approved List of Assessments that measure student growth for use by school districts and educational service centers (ESCs) in teacher and principal evaluations in K–8 English Language Arts and Mathematics.

To be approved by the Ohio Department of Education, Curriculum Associates had to demonstrate that i-Ready Diagnostic has an exemplary standard of validity and reliability, is built for the Common Core State Standards and the revised Ohio Academic Content Standards, is highly correlated with curricular objectives, and has the ability to measure the growth of both low- and high-achieving students.

“Ohio joins New York in choosing i-Ready Diagnostic to be on its very selective list of approved assessments because of its ability to assess each student’s skills across multiple grade levels (not just on-level skills), making it easy to pinpoint gaps and measure growth, and its easy-to-use reports,” said Rob Waldron, President and CEO of Curriculum Associates. “In addition to being the highest quality product of its kind available, i-Ready has a comprehensive Instruction program that includes more than 600 online lessons and includes an individualized learning plan for each student that makes it easier for teachers to help students effectively and efficiently progress from where they are to where they need to be.”

i-Ready Basics
i-Ready Diagnostic Reading and Math Assessment is an effective, research-based combination of an adaptive diagnostic assessment and instant detailed reporting tool. Diagnostic results are automatically translated into easy-to-understand reports that are immediately available to teachers and administrators by grade level and domain at the district, school, grade, class, and student level. Clear, easy-to-use student profile reports are immediately available to the teacher to inform and target instruction.

i-Ready Diagnostic is newly built for the Common Core State Standards, assessing each Common Core domain. i-Ready Instruction modules are available to complement the Diagnostic assessments.

Pricing and Availability
The complete i-Ready Diagnostic & Instruction program for reading or math (1-year subscription) is $27.00 per student/per subject. The diagnostic module (1-year subscription) can be purchased separately for $6.00 per student/per subject. The diagnostic module targets grades K–8. The instruction component addresses the needs of students in grades K–6.

For more information, please visit http://www.i-ready.com and Curriculum Associates’ YouTube channel, http://bit.ly/xeZZ8J.

About Curriculum Associates
Founded in 1969, privately owned Curriculum Associates, LLC, designs research-based print and online instructional materials, screens and assessments, and data management tools. The company’s products and outstanding customer service provide teachers and administrators with the resources necessary for teaching diverse student populations and fostering learning for all students. For company and product information, visit Curriculum Associates on the Web at http://www.CurriculumAssociates.com or call 800-225-0248.
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As most high school students are gearing up for summer break, many teachers and administrators are planning and prepping for the next school year. Part of their planning may include strategies to integrate technology in the classroom, through digital textbooks, gaming, and social media, U.S. News reports. On May 8, the nonprofit Edutopia released “How to Create Social Media Guidelines for Your School.” The free guide, released during Teacher Appreciation Week, is part of a collaboration with Facebook.

“Without having a plan and a focus on how you’re going to go about incorporating social media, you’re potentially going to find that you’re not able to reap the benefits,” says Cindy Johanson, executive director of The George Lucas Educational Foundation, which produces Edutopia.

The guide lists steps teachers should take to introduce a formal social media policy–a document that states, in very specific terms, how teachers and students should behave while using social media…

Click here for the full story