Thank you for the time, energy, passion and commitment you have tirelessly dedicated this year to ensure positive, high quality learning experiences for all. More than ever you are making a profound difference in the work you lead, and you are appreciated.
May the final stretch of the 21-22 school year be bright. We're cheering you on in your efforts, and we have much to celebrate.
Take a few minutes to read the good news from our ERDI Community and browse through the many great resources and opportunities below.
Warmest regards,
Jennifer and the ERDI Team
Ps. Sometimes, due to the length of our newsletter, the [Message Clipped] notice appears at the bottom of your screen. To see all the great news, you have to click "View Entire Message."
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Come Learn With Members of the ERDI Community |
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The Spring Thought Leader Symposium is
Just Around the Corner
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Special thanks to our generous Spring Thought Leader Symposium sponsors. We are honored to collaborate with you and
look forward to making a difference together.
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In November of 2021, ERDI hosted its inaugural Thought Leader Symposium: Systems Leadership for Equity. District and industry leaders from across the US came together to address critical issues, provide insight, and offer ways to collectively champion efforts for equity, access, and inclusion.
Authored by retired ERDI Superintendents, the 3-part series captures the voices and insights of current district leaders and offers strategies and ideas to advance the critical work of equity.
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Hear more about the articles from our Emeritus Leaders in this two-part webinar series... |
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Sponsored by ClassLink
Sponsored by D2L
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Join Us for The Summer Institute |
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Solution Provider & Collaborator News & Celebrations |
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6crickets makes learning explode! |
Give students choice and watch learning explode! See how Magnolia Elementary of Cajon Valley USD, a Title I school, has partnered with 6crickets to bring engaging after-school enrichment from their community partners to their students.
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Dr. Rachel Wisnefski named CRO |
The Amos Group, parent company of SchoolBondFinder & SchoolNetwork, the leader in K-12 capital funding data and research is pleased to announce the promotion of Dr. Rachel Wisnefski to the position of Chief Revenue Officer. Dr. Wisnefski will play a crucial role in the continued expansion and demand of The Amos Group’s offerings. She brings over 15 years of experience having previously served as The Amos Group’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing.
As Chief Revenue Officer, Dr. Wisnefski will lead all customer facing organizations as well as overseeing the development and execution of public policy, legislative and advocacy strategies for The Amos Group. Chuck Amos, CEO stated, “With Dr. Wisnefski’s leadership as our VP of Sales & Marketing, The Amos Group has grown rapidly and expanded our platforms’ functionalities to serve our diverse solution provider and school district clients. I am thrilled to have her strategic expertise and growth mindset joining our executive team to help shape our future for years to come.”
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Blackbird Announces Results from the World’s First Cross-curricular Computer Coding Pilot |
Blackbird, dedicated to making coding a core part of education, recently worked with Bellevue School District to teach a two-week magnetism unit from within core physics classes. Students learned the fundamentals of text-based computer programming in order to model their own physics simulations. The pilot was implemented in 18 sections of eighth grade science in Bellevue School District. The sections were taught by 4 teachers and reached 447 students. Despite having no previous experience with computer programming, teachers successfully taught the material after a one-day training session.
Blackbird is currently developing additional short units that use coding to teach core science and math principles at the middle school level. They are also actively looking for schools and districts to co-develop units with. If you are an administrator or teacher interested in a program like this, you can apply for a co-development pilot on their website.
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Summer SEL Professional Development |
Responsive Classroom, a CASEL SELect program, is an evidence-based, social-emotional approach to teaching and discipline. Responsive Classroom’s interactive, engaging, and thoughtfully designed professional development courses are open for registration. The four-day entry-level core course prepares elementary and middle school educators to create optimal learning environments where students can develop the academic, social, and emotional skills needed for success both in and out of school. The four-day advanced course helps K–8 educators refine familiar practices and strategies and learn new methods for supporting students’ social, emotional, behavioral, and academic needs.
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If you see the [Message Clipped] notice below, be sure to click "View Entire Message" to see all of the great news from the ERDI Community! |
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Siemens Foundation & Discovery Education Support STEM Initiatives |
The 2022 Possibility Grant Sweepstakes, which offers five K-12 schools across the United States an opportunity to win a $5,000 STEM grant to purchase supplies and technology for any STEM-related initiative, is now accepting entries here. Open through April 22, 2022, educators and educational professionals are encouraged to enter daily for a chance to win.
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Edsby reveals new Unison education data switch |
Edsby, best known for its eponymous K-12 digital learning platform, has introduced a new software system intended to solve education data synchronization issues at district, state or even national levels. The Unison education data switch and managed service solve difficult data consolidation, normalization and analysis problems to help jurisdictions achieve their education standards and policy goals, according to the company.
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edWeb Best Practices for Virtual Professional Learning |
In this new 2022 Guide for Best Practices in Virtual Professional Learning, edWeb outlines 3Cs of high quality virtual professional learning: communication, content, and customization. Virtual professional learning is the future! The 3Cs are expanded into 9 best practices that characterize the most effective programs. edWeb can help you create a program to engage your teachers and staff.
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The University of Florida and Kent State University Partner with Florida Virtual Schools on Research Study |
The flexibility afforded by online education may provide opportunities for learners with disability who require absence from traditional learning environments. A recent study lead by researchers at the University of Florida and Kent State University in partnership with Florida Virtual School sought to describe how a subset of learners with disability – those with hospital-homebound designation – perform in K-12 online classes, particularly as compared to non-hospital homebound counterparts. A cross-sectional analysis was performed of all Florida Virtual School course enrollments from August 1, 2012 to July 31, 2018. Researchers analyzed 2,534 course enrollments associated with K-12 students who, at the time of their course enrollment, had hospital-homebound designation, and a comparison group of 5,470,591 enrollments from K-12 students without hospital-homebound status. Data analysis showed three important outcomes: first, hospital-homebound designated student academic performance was equivalent to their non-hospital homebound counterparts. Second, however, hospital-homebound course enrollments were 26% more likely to result in a withdrawal prior to grade generation. Third, these withdrawals were potentially mitigated when H/H designated students were enrolled in five or more classes or in classes with five or more students. The results of this study provided evidence that when they can remain enrolled, hospital-homebound learners experience equivalent academic outcomes in online learning environments. These findings suggest that healthcare professionals should be made aware of the potentially equivalent outcomes for their patients. Moreover, virtual schools should seek to identify and create supports for these students.
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Outlook for K-12 Therapy & Special Education Professions | 2021 Report |
This report analyzes a survey of 700+ K-12 therapists and Special Education professionals across the U.S. to learn what they’re experiencing, how they feel about their roles, and what they believe the future holds for them and their profession.
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State of Therapy in K-12 Schools | 2021 Report |
This report analyzes a survey of school administrators from 400+ K-12 institutions across the U.S. to assess the state of therapy and special education in K-12 schools — including how COVID-19 has impacted delivery of therapy and accelerated the digital transformation of therapy in education systems, nationally.
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How superintendents can build trust and drive positive results |
As a superintendent, you have many constituencies to satisfy, each with different – and sometimes conflicting – agendas, but one seemingly simple action can help nurture relationships that help you offer better experiences and education: listening.
Authentic listening takes planning and commitment – and leads to better experiences and better engagement.
Check out K12 Insight’s free toolkit for a practical guide to planning and executing a listening tour that gives each stakeholder a voice.
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If you see the [Message Clipped] notice below, be sure to click "View Entire Message" to see all of the great news from the ERDI Community! |
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"Games for All" Game Design Challenge |
Legends of Learning is excited to announce the theme for the Spring 2022 Game Design Challenge: Games for All! The Game Design Challenge empowers K-12 students to create their own video game through a collaborative, creative and critical thinking journey. The goal of this year's theme is for all participants to create a video game that cultivates inclusion among players in a collaborative way. Legends of Learning firmly believes in equity within our communities, and that technology (including video games!) is a way to bridge the gaps between people of different genders, cultures, orientations, socioeconomic statuses and abilities.
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The Goldie Hawn Foundation launches new interactive online platform: |
MindUP recently launched a digital platform by bringing their evidence-based mental fitness program to children, families, educators, and adults around the world. Developed with the help of the field's top educators and neuroscientists, the program aims to equip children with the knowledge and tools to manage stress, regulate emotions and to face the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and 21st century with optimism, resilience, and compassion. Goldie Hawn, Founder of MindUP, wrote an Op-Ed for USA Today, in which she urged for more preventative care measures and early interventions for children struggling with mental health while offering MindUP for Life digital as part of the solution.
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NoRedInk Raises $50M to Help Students Harness the Power of the Written Word |
Used by more than 60% of school districts nationwide (and more than 90% of ERDI districts), NoRedInk's goal is to build better writers. NoRedInk raised a $50 million Series B led by Susquehanna Growth Equity, with participation from True Ventures. The additional funding will allow the company to continue to improve the product and bring it to more schools and districts.
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Participate in Research for a Donation to Your District |
Outschool is researching the needs of innovative school and district leaders through 45 minute one-on-one calls. As a thank you, they'll donate $100 to your district in return.
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Nothing Should Stop Learning |
Paper recently launched this powerful short video, which captures the importance of supporting all students in their learning. You may have even seen the video on TV!
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Admin Dashboard Coming to Pivot Interactives |
Thanks to the wisdom and expertise of numerous ERDI Ed Leaders, Pivot Interactives is developing an administrator data dashboard. Aimed at providing insight into STEM instruction best practices, it will include more that just usage information, but also data about phenomena, active learning, science practices, and feedback.
Stay tuned to see it on the platform soon.
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Inc's Names Uncharted Learning among Best in Business for Youth Entrepreneurship
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Uncharted Learning is grateful to the good soul who nominated them for Inc magazine's Best in Business 2021 ("They're smart, strategic, leaders in their industries. But more than that, the companies on our annual Best in Business list have heart—and they're pouring it into the people and communities around them.") The winter issue names Uncharted Learning as Best in Business in the Youth Entrepreneurship Category.
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If you see the [Message Clipped] notice below, be sure to click "View Entire Message" to see all of the great news from the ERDI Community! |
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Ed Leader Recognitions & Milestones |
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Kudos to the following ERDI Ed Leaders for their wonderful accomplishments. Please keep sharing your good news with us so we can celebrate with you! |
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Dr. Michelle Bowers' Fulton & Alsbury Academy of Arts and Engineering in the Lancaster School District were recently designated a 2022 California School to Watch.
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Dr. Lisa Herring(Atlanta Public Schools) was named one of
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Dr. Kristi Wilson (Buckeye Elementary School District) was honored by the American School Superintendents Association with its AASA Distinguished Service Award.
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We're Committed to Social Impact |
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In 2021, ERDI donated nearly $300,000 to a wide variety of non-profit organizations and charities across the US in honor of the ERDI Education Leaders who have generously shared their time and expertise this year. We thank our entire ERDI Community for supporting this important commitment to social impact. |
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Seeking Bright New Talent for 2022 |
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Do you know an exemplary Education Leader?
Please share your nominations!
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As we head into the new year, we are seeking bright new talent to join the ERDI Community. To offer keen insights during this critical design cycle and to meet the time-sensitive needs of our Solution Providers, we ask that you consider making at least one nomination.
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Please share your exciting news and milestones with the ERDI Community by completing this Newsletter Submission Form. We look forward to hearing form you!
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