| |
 The EdGate Observer Connecting Publishers With What Works! |
|
|
|
Greetings,
My first month in the role of EdGate General Manager was spent racing to keep up with our clients as they reply to numerous state adoptions and RFPs. Additionally, EdGate has been responding to the influx of interest in Career and Technical Education (CTE) standards. It has been a pleasure to hear from our clients and learn just how much they value EdGate's superior team of correlators and project managers. I've worked with EdGate for several years as a customer and it's been delightful to learn that the team at EdGate is just as pleasant in real life as they are on the phone or through email.
Since we are knee-deep in CTE standards, our April newsletter covers our growing Career and Technical Education services (Client Solution). Additionally, you'll find information on preparing students for a globally interconnected world (Hot Topic), the controversy around new state assessments (Teaching Trends), EdGate's ability to provide third party confirmation of correlations (EdGate Services), and following up with new additions to the EdGate Standards Repository (Standards Update).
Please don't hesitate to contact us for information on new developments in the world of educational standards.
Kind Regards,
Gina Faulk
EdGate General Manager
|
| Career and Technical Education 
Career and Technical Education (CTE) standards are an up-and-coming trend. With increased interest in workplace readiness as one of the primary goals of secondary education, it's no surprise that standards are being developed to codify what students are expected to know and be able to do in order to pursue their career goals. Because there are so many different career paths, state CTE standards generally follow the model laid out by the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium (NASDCTEC) in their Common Career Technical Core standards. This model divides desirable career paths into sixteen areas. The breakdown of courses within these areas can vary quite a bit from state to state depending on, among other things, the types of industry most important to the state's economy. EdGate is currently in the initial stages of work on making CTE standards available for interested customers. Because many states have a large number of CTE courses, each of which has a body of associated standards, we are rolling them out on a state-by-state basis; Texas will be the first state we offer, with California and Florida on the horizon. By: Michael Walpole Project Manager |
Preparing Students for a Globally Interconnected World
 A topic of recent interest has been "Are students in the U.S. prepared to succeed in a global society?" The answer is generally...not quite!
To encourage student's success in a globally diverse, interdependent and interconnected world we need to do more to foster an understanding of that diversity and what it means for the future. We need to think more globally...what population growth, economic and geopolitical changes will mean in the years to come and we need to better integrate global issues and understanding in the classroom.
An article in EdWeek asks if we should make global knowledge a graduation requirement or make languages be a regular part of the curriculum. Additionally, a Forbes article suggests teacher's get a Global Competence Certificate which enables them to more effectively help to produce globally competent students.
An interesting note in Asia Society goes further and notes how important it is for states to look to high performing countries and integrate the best of the best curriculum and teaching strategies to raise the bar. Should we as a society be doing any or all of these things? The answer is yes...of course we should be doing everything we can to encourage success for the next generation and their ability to effectively work in a global society. It is our responsibility to make sure students are prepared to succeed and thrive in a globally diverse and interdependent world. Some interesting reading on the topic can be found below and as a note, for publishers looking to find out if your content meets international standards we have a wide range of international standards within our repository so if you are interested, please feel free to contact your sales contact or project manager.
By: Jennifer Larson
Project Manager
|
| Blending Technology and Instruction  Will integrating technology-based instruction into lessons help students learn and perform better in today's world? Districts and individual schools across the US are banking on this 'blended learning' approach to improve both teaching and learning.
As the move from print to digital continues, schools are adapting the best they can with technology and student instruction. One of the main tenants is to give students greater ownership over their learning through technology. One showcase is the Intrinsic Schools in Chicago, where "students spend roughly 50 percent of their time working on Chromebooks, using programs designed by providers such as Khan Academy, Thinkcerca, and NoRedInk. Some instruction is teacher-led, while other lessons are collaborative or based on small-group discussions." Other schools, like San Diego's e3 Civic High School and Washington State's Horace Mann Elementary School, are also working towards a similar approach.
Ultimately, how students meet their educational standards will likely remain as the final evaluation. As teaching methodologies adapt and evolve, and technologies become more diverse and interactive, publishers will be doing their best to create content that meets the needs of students and schools 'today'. ...and EdGate will continue to be there for them, correlating to standards, webpage interfaces, and anything else they may need!
By: Larry Johnson Client Relationship Manager |
|
|
|
|
 |
| Gone but not forgotten? Common Core lingers after Oklahoma's repeal Common Core may no longer be law in Oklahoma, but it has not disappeared from the classrooms. In the summer of 2014 the state legislature repealed Common Core, yet more than half a year after the repeal, teachers continue to use the standards. As market surges, schools struggle to find the best tech products Schools will be spending more on digital resources in the coming years, but need help finding the best technologies. Once good technology is found, schools also need a way to share that information to help others save time and money. Report: Most Americans Support Concepts Behind Common Core A survey from the Leadership Conference Education Fund found most respondents said students should be able to think critically and apply skills to the real world and the United States should have consistent education standards to raise expectations of students, all concepts of Common Core. |
| In this issue of the EdGate Observer, we would like to introduce a member of our Digital Content Team, Lisa Waugh.
Part of the EdGate family since 2004, Lisa leads a team that reviews, segments, and summarizes archival, documentary and educational film footage. She has taught culinary arts and life skills and has worked as a consultant for a major telecommunications company, bringing over 25 years of experience in managing projects, data, and human resources. Lisa got her Master's Degree in Existential Phenomenological Psychology from Seattle University and is involved with adoptive and foster parent counseling and education in the community. Lisa is wild about her children and grandchildren. |
|
|
|
|
Third Party Review
If you have submitted a bid response to the Virginia State Department of Education, you will know that their policy requires two things. First, a third party review of content alignments and second, correlations which meet a minimum of 90% standards coverage. As such, EdGate being a leading provider of correlation services and having worked with the VDOE for the last several years, we are recommended by the state to perform such reviews.
Since the 'No Child Left Behind Act' in 2001 and now the Common Core movement of today, there is more pressure on teachers to make sure their students are meeting state requirements and successfully graduating to the next grade.
To help ensure educators are successful in this effort, schools and districts are tasked with providing resources to help educators achieve this goal. Like Virginia, many schools and districts are being cautious in their selection of curriculum and want to ensure the content they choose has a comprehensive alignment to their state's standards.
What does this mean to publishers? Likely a closer examination of standards alignment and possibly the requirement for a third party review.
If your content has been aligned but you would like reassurance and a third party stamp of approval, we are here for you! Our educational team are experts not only in a given subject area but also have in-depth knowledge of the standards. With their knowledge and expertise, your content is sure to have a thorough, accurate, and quality review.
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
General Manager
|
Tracy Olstad,
Account Manager
|
Larry Johnson
Client Relationship Manager
[email protected] |
|
|
Updates to
The EdGate Standards Repository include:
- ACT WorkKeys Assessment - Language Arts (2014)
- ACT WorkKeys Assessment - Mathematics (2014)
- Arkansas - Social Studies (2014)
- College Board AP Calculus AB and BC Course Description - Mathematics (2016)
- Connecticut - Early Childhood Education (2014)
- International Baccalaureate Organization - Science (2014)
- Montana - Early Childhood Education (2014)
- New York - Social Studies (2015)
- South Carolina - Health and PE (2014 PE)
- South Dakota - Health and PE (2014 PE)
- Washington - Social Studies (2013)
- West Virginia - English Language Learners (2014)
CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION - NEW ADDITIONS AVAILABLE FOR STANDARDS LICENSING! South Carolina Career Technical Education
- Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
- Agriculture Mechanics and Technology
- Biosystems Engineering Technology
- Horticulture
- Environmental & Natural Resources System Management (SC)
- Horticulture (SC)
- Plant and Animal Systems (SC)
- Architecture and Construction (SC)
- Arts, AV Technology, and Communications (SC)
- Business Management and Administration (SC)
- Education and Training (SC)
- Finance (SC)
- Hospitality and Tourism (SC)
- Marketing (SC)
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.
|
|
|
|
