New “Educate to Innovate” Campaign Focuses on STEM Education

On Monday, November 23 President Obama announced the “Educate to Innovate” Campaign for Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (Stem) Education. While the initiative has no immediately actionable items for the educational publishing industry, it does further emphasize the administration’s commitment to promoting STEM education.

Graduation for All Act Includes Provisions Aimed at Instructional Materials

The House Democrats, led by Rep. George Miller, Chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, introduced The Graduation for All Act of 2009 (H.R. 4122). The Act would provide eligible school districts with $2 billion in competitive grants to help turn around their lowest-performing high schools, often deemed “dropout factories,” as well as struggling, feeder middle schools. Districts receiving grants would be required to implement data systems to help better detect early warning signs of dropout behavior (such as frequent absences or failing a course), use appropriate interventions targeted to student needs, and monitor the impact of interventions so that they can be refined as necessary.

Ellen Bialo Re-elected to SIIA Education Division Board

Ellen Bialo, President of Interactive Educational Systems Design, Inc. and an AEP member, has been (re)elected to the SIIA Education Division Board. These newly elected and appointed executives from SIIA member companies will help provide the education technology industry with leadership, advocacy and critical market information in the crucial months and years ahead. In addition, these individuals will come together to represent more than 150 SIIA Education Division member firms that provide software, digital content and other technologies for educational needs.

Final Survey Report on K-12 Educators’ Social Media Habits

The final research report for a Survey of K-12 Educators on Social Networking and Content-Sharing Tools was released by co-sponsors edWeb.net, MCH, Inc., and MMS Education. Overall, 61% of the survey population belong to a social networking site, but participation in education specific sites is still low.  However, the survey analysts believe that “as more educators join social networks, and as younger people enter the education workforce, the adoption of this technology will continue to increase.” In addition, the report indicates that now is the time for education industry members to start experimenting with social networking so they are prepared to engage educators when they are ready.

Help New Moon Teach Respect by Example

Long-time AEP member and former AEP Award winner New Moon Girls magazine and website is pushing to reach its goal of 500 new members before the end of the year. You can help by donating memberships, giving membership as a gift to a young girl in your life, or just helping spread the word. New Moon, the 2006 Periodicals Golden Lamp Winner, was featured in an AEP Awards profile, highlighting the organization’s innovations in product development and editorial practices.

New Moon Magazine: Teaching Girls Respect by Example

In 1992, Nancy Gruver saw her twin daughters approaching adolescence and sought out a way to help them make the transition to womanhood without losing “the girl within.” She was looking for more than just a source of advice; she wanted something that would teach them the larger lessons of responsibility, self-confidence, and respect for both themselves and others in the face of media and societal messages that dictate what a woman should be. She was disappointed to find that there were no such resources available, so Gruver decided to create her own. The result was New Moon, a magazine for girls that is written and published by girls.