| |
 The EdGate Observer Connecting Publishers With What Works! |
|
|
|
 Dear Friends -
Effective March 31st, I will be stepping down from my position as General Manager and Vice President of EdGate Correlation Services.
Since starting EdGate in 2000, I have had the privilege to work with some amazing colleagues both as fellow employees of the company and as clients. Over the years, we have developed applications and products that support education/educational publishing and the company will continue to address these needs in the future. I have been so fortunate to have a team, many of whom started with the company over ten years ago, that is so passionate about our clients and making sure we meet their needs.
I will continue to work with the company in an advisory capacity, but look forward to enjoying time with my husband Ric and focusing on other aspects of my life.
Please welcome Gina Faulk, who will be taking over as General Manager for the company on April 1st.
Thank you all for your friendship and support of the EdGate family over the years.
Sandra
|
Interested in licensing Career Technical Education (CTE) standards? A handful of states have already implemented their CTE standards and several more are on board for implementation in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017. For more details please contact an EdGate representative.
|
|  NGSS unfolds One of the big question marks in the science realm is the NGSS - how will they play out across the US? When the Common Core hit the state adoption scene in 2010, there were those that jumped on, and those that didn't. Some states modified the math and/or the ELA standards first and then adopted, and some just adopted the standards as they were. Today, after much of the dust has settled, there are 6 states that have not adopted any part of the Common Core Standards. Minnesota only adopted the ELA portion, adding their '15%' to them, 15 states adopted ELA and Math with their own additions, and 27 states adopted the ELA and Math verbatim. This pattern seems to be unfolding the same with the NGSS...some states not at all, some with pending modifications, some as is. For examples, Wyoming has decided (just this March) to allow them for consideration, West Virginia is modifying a couple standards, and California threw out their A+ rated science standards, replacing them with the NGSS verbatim. The common thread here is that neither set of standards is likely to achieve its full intent - be the one, guiding set of educational standards for all US students. However, the NGSS, like the Common Core, has achieved the attention needed for a great first step. EdGate will be following the NGSS as its journey continues, and the impact it brings to the educational arena.
By: Larry Johnson Project Manager |
New AP US History Met with Criticism by Policymakers
 The new AP US History framework implemented for the 2014-2015 school year has drawn criticism from policymakers in Colorado, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Texas. The old framework was a five page document and the new one is almost eighty pages in length and was created by history professors and high school teachers. Critics argue that the new framework emphasizes racial and national supremacy while glossing over historical achievements. Supporters of the new framework say that it is more comprehensive than the previous framework and that educators use the framework to teach the course by adding more specific content. Nevertheless, College Board accepted feedback on the framework over the course of several months which will be reviewed and used for "any appropriate changes" to the framework starting with the 2015-2016 school year. Students scheduled to take the exam this spring have the benefit of practicing on a full-length practice exam released to the public by College Board, something they have not done previously.
By: Kathleen Ideguchi
Project Manager
|
| California votes an extra year to prepare for Common Core  Although many states are rejecting the Common Core standards, there is one state that is staying true to Common Core. In a recent meeting in Sacramento, the State Board of Education suspended its school accountability system for the 2014-2015 school year. This decision was made in order to provide educators and students adequate time to adjust to new standardized tests aligned with the Common Core standards. The suspended index used test scores to rank schools and to determine which schools need improvement. By suspending the state's evaluation system, test scores in the first year won't be used to take any corrective actions. "We feel that accountability is very important to the public, but it's sensible to delay because the information is not all going to be clear and solid and current and we need the transition time," said Celia Jaffe, education commissioner of the California State PTA.
By: Gina Faulk Sales and Marketing Manager |
|
|
|
|
 |
| What's the next big thing in K-12 educational technology? Classroom courses that we would have envisioned in a Star Trek episode will soon be coming to the classroom. 3D printing courses, also known as Makerspaces, will be hot in the next couple of years, as will education on drones and wearable technologies. The Teacher Who Believes Math Equals Love
What makes a great teacher great? One math teacher uses DIY projects to help her students understand math by using everything from a flower pot, a garbage can, a roll of tape, and loose spaghetti. Momentum Grows for Digital-Content 'Interoperability' Standards Many large school districts across the country are beginning to require their vendors to adopt "interoperability standards" put forth by the IMS Global Learning Consortium. These requirements include packaging of content from multiple sources with a single login and password, without ever leaving a single online platform. When should teachers use tech to teach the Common Core? In many American classrooms, the effort to teach the new Common Core standards has become intertwined with a growing movement to add more technology into daily lessons. But are Common Core and technology really compatible? |
| In this issue of the EdGate Observer, we would like to introduce a member of our Mathematics Team, Michael Walpole. Michael Walpole has a B.A. degree in Mathematics from Reed College and an M.S. degree in Mathematics from Ohio State University. He has been working in the educational software field since 2000 as an editor, subject expert, standards correlator, assessment coordinator and technical liaison. He has also taught mathematics at the community college level. When not working, he enjoys long-distance walking and reading voraciously on a wide variety of subjects. |
|
|
|
|
State and District Push Back on Common Core
A big THANK YOU to those we had an opportunity to meet at NSTA. It was a pleasure speaking with you to learn more about your products and we look forward to the chance to meet again.
Attending conferences such as the NSTA is a great way to connect with our clients face to face, meet new potential partners, and ensure we stay abreast of what is happening in the industry. From cutting- edge technology to the ever-changing issues in standards, we make assertive efforts to have the information and services you need!
What seems to be the latest, most common message amongst publishers is the pushback they are getting from states, districts, and educators on content aligned to Common Core. While many or most states have adopted the Common Core and/or NGSS, either verbatim with the addition of their own standards, some states would like to be autonomous.
If you are experiencing this pushback and do not have the resources to correlate and/or maintain your correlations to the individual STATE standards, here are some benefits of partnering with EdGate:
- Standards Experts. Our standards team aggressively monitors changes in standards, managing and keeping our repository of over 2 million standards up to date;
- Subject Experts. Our subject experts (all former educators) have over 200 years combined experience in education and review/correlation of content;
- Proprietary Taxonomy. Our proprietary Concept Index (taxonomy) has been refined and tested over a decade;
- Efficient = Cost Effective. Our methodology allows for correlating content to any/all standards in "one fell swoop", not standard-by-standard;
- Sophisticated Technology. After the content is reviewed and tagged by our subject experts, our technology seamlessly creates the global alignment to any/all standards which contain or "share" the same concepts;
We would love the opportunity to share more information with you about our services and demonstrate how your content can meet ALL STATE standards.
Please contact one of our representatives or visit us at http://correlation.edgate.com
To reach our Sales and Marketing Team, choose your contact below:
 |
 |
 |
Gina Faulk
Sales and Marketing Manager
|
Tracy Olstad,
Account Manager
|
Larry Johnson
Client Relationship Manager
[email protected] |
|
|
Updates to
The EdGate Standards Repository include:
- Arizona - Early Childhood Education (Infant-Age 5 2013)
- Georgia - Early Childhood Education (Infant-Age 5 2013)
- Head Start Standards - Early Childhood Education (Infant/Toddler 2012)
- Nebraska - Early Childhood Education (2013)
- New York City - Social Studies Scope & Sequence (2014)
- North Carolina - Early Childhood Education (Infant/Toddler 2013)
- Puerto Rico Departamento De Educación Standards (Español) - Mathematics (2014)
- Puerto Rico Department of Education (English) - Mathematics (2014)
- South Carolina - Early Childhood Education (Infant/Toddler 2008)
- Texas Alternate Assessment Standards (STAAR Alternate) - Language Arts (2014)
- Texas Alternate Assessment Standards (STAAR Alternate) - Mathematics (2014)
- Texas Alternate Assessment Standards (STAAR Alternate) - Science (2014)
- Texas Alternate Assessment Standards (STAAR Alternate) - Social Studies (2014)
- U.S. National Standards - Early Childhood Education (Infant/Toddler 2012)
- Wyoming - Health and PE (Physical Education 2014)
CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION - NOW AVAILABLE FOR STANDARDS LICENSING! California Career Technical Education
- Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Arts Media and Entertainment
- Building and Construction Trades
- Business and Finance
- Education Child Development and Family Services
- Energy Environment and Utilities
- Engineering and Architecture
- Fashion and Interior Design
- Health Science and Medical Technology
- Hospitality Tourism and Recreation
- Information and Communication Technologies
- Manufacturing and Product Development
- Marketing Sales and Services
- Public Services
- Transportation
Common Career Technical Core (CCTC)
- Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
- Architecture & Construction
- Arts, A/V Technology & Communications
- Business Management & Administration
- Education & Training
- Finance
- Government & Public Administration
- Health Science
- Hospitality & Tourism
- Human Services
- Information Technology
- Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security
- Manufacturing
- Marketing
- Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
- Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
Florida Career Technical Education
- Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources - Agriscience Foundations 1 [8106810]
- Education & Training - Early Childhood Education New 1 [8405110]
- Hospitality & Tourism - Culinary Arts 1 [8800510]
South Carolina Career Technical Education
- Agriculture Mechanics and Technology
- Biosystems Engineering Technology
- Horticulture
Texas Career Technical Education
- Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
- Architecture and Construction
- Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications
- Business Management and Administration
- Career Development
- Education and Training
- Finance
- Government and Public Administration
- Health Science
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Human Services
- Information Technology
- Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
- Manufacturing
- Marketing
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
- Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics
Kristie McCarley
Standards and Operations Manager
|
|
EdGate Correlation Services works with over 200 content providers to increase the value of their products in a rapidly expanding digital world. EdGate uses its patented technology and highly skilled staff to assure client success. Employing its nearly two decades of innovation experience, EdGate has proven learning platforms, robust metadata tools and comprehensive correlation services to serve every clients unique needs.
EdGate currently focuses on correlation consulting, content and metadata development and management, media segmentation and licensing of international educational standards. EdGate Correlation Services LLC is a division of EDmin, Inc., a learning management and instructional technology solutions company based in San Diego, California.
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
