State Highlight

BETT Attendees Find Standards Integral

sschuller — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:21:07 +0000

BETT Attendees Find Standards Integral

Do Standards Lead the way?

To get back to the question at hand, while some companies do begin writing content without referencing the standards, they are ultimately required to align their content to K-12 Curriculum standards, at least if they are serious about ensuring that their content is adopted, purchased and implemented into education systems. Without the security of the specific state or country standards alignment, curriculum that does not mean specific standards may be cast aside.

As one BETT attendee said, “Everything stems from the standards.” We agree. To illustrate:

Content Management Systems: Users of a content management system need access to standards in order to write content to meet the standards.
Online learning materials, textbooks, educational games, educational videos, etc: Content buyers must see proof of alignment to learning outcomes in order to use materials within the classroom.
Assessments: Assessment items need to meet standards in order to assess if a student has mastered specific learning concepts.
Content delivery systems: Educators have to see the connection between content and the learning standards. This is typically required by the state or governing body.
State Learning Ecosystems: Standards create interoperable digital learning ecosystems and make learning technology more accessible by personalizing resources, interfaces, and content.

So from an evolutionary perspective, standards are the egg.

Ministries of Education Looking at Standards for Global Perspective

Our location in the Global Showcase area of the BETT conference hall gave us close access to the various Ministries of Education and government-selected suppliers from countries such as Korea, Italy, Bulgaria, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, France and more. The various ministries of Education expressed different interests than those of the educators and EdTech companies we spoke to. The MOE’s are looking for the ability to compare learning standards across the world. We were asked questions like:

How can I compare my learning standards with the Australia standards or the Common Core standards?
What are the gaps that we see when comparing standards across the world?
Are students in some countries being introduced to concepts earlier than other countries?
And the age-old question: what country has the gold standard set of standards?

Indeed, not all standards are created equal. While some states and countries have amassed volumes of individual learning standards, other countries are getting by with very thin (or non-existent) standards documentation.

EdGate will be hosting a special “International Edition” webinar on February 27th focusing on how to open global markets. EdGate and our international guest panelists will answer many of the questions posed in this BETT recap article and much more.

Recapping the ‘Crosswalking to Contracts’ Webinar

sschuller — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 20:13:36 +0000

Recapping the ‘Crosswalking to Contracts’ Webinar

EdGate Services

Hot Topic

State Highlight

sschuller Fri, 11/22/2024 - 12:13

Recapping the ‘Crosswalking to Contracts’ Webinar

November 22 2024

Author

Rich Portelance

This September EdGate hosted our third webinar of the year, focusing on a topic that has become vital yet often misunderstood — how crosswalking alignments from state to state helps open new markets. To shed light on the many facets of the topic we welcomed industry experts from both Texas — arguably one of the most difficult states to not only navigate the educational system, but to win contracts in; and from Learning.com, a partner of EdGate and publisher who has figured out the process and was willing to share their secrets. Traditionally winning new contracts has been the purvey of the sales department, but increasingly in EdTech, it requires a team approach — all hands on deck.

Florida's Instructional Materials Adoption Process

sschuller — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 23:53:53 +0000

Florida's Instructional Materials Adoption Process

EdGate Services

Standard Updates

State Highlight

sschuller Wed, 11/13/2024 - 15:53

Florida's Instructional Materials Adoption Process

November 13 2024

Author

Sharla Schuller

Key Changes and How EdGate Can Help You Succeed

With the passage of Senate Bill 7004, Florida’s instructional materials adoption process is entering a new phase—one that offers more time, flexibility, and opportunities for both publishers and districts. These changes are designed to streamline the adoption process while giving districts the power to make decisions that meet their unique needs. What do these updates mean for you, and how can EdGate ensure your success?

New Timelines: More Time for Districts to Prepare, But Don’t Miss the Deadline

The Florida Department of Education (DOE) is introducing earlier deadlines for instructional material adoption, giving districts additional time to review state-approved resources. For the 2025-2026 adoption cycle, the state-approved materials list will be published by December 1, 2025, allowing districts more time for evaluation. However, publishers must act quickly—submissions are now due by January 2025, a significant shift from the previous May deadline. This "transition timeline" aims to streamline preparation, but time is critical. Starting with the 2026-2027 cycle and beyond, the approved materials list will be published much earlier—by July 31 of the prior year—creating a clearer and more predictable schedule for everyone involved.

The 2025-2026 cycle will focus on:

Career and Technical Education (K-12)
World Languages (K-12)
Performing and Visual Arts (K-12)
Health and Physical Education (K-12)
Additional English Language Arts (6-12)

Flexibility for Districts, Opportunity for Publishers

With more flexible guidelines, district school boards now have the freedom to determine the number of instructional materials needed in each classroom, while principals will have discretion in managing lost or damaged materials. This opens new doors for publishers to better align their materials with district-specific needs.

How EdGate Can Help: Your Trusted Partner in Third-Party Reviews

A key step in the adoption process is ensuring your instructional materials meet Florida's stringent standards. That’s where EdGate comes in. Our expert team is highly experienced with Florida’s specific alignment requirements and is ready to ensure your materials meet every necessary standard for successful adoption.

We understand how critical this process is and are here to help you meet every deadline. Reach out to our knowledgeable Sales Representatives to discuss how we can support your project and ensure you’re fully prepared for the 2025-2026 adoption cycle.

Key Takeaways:

The 2025-2026 cycle focuses on high-demand areas; Career and Technical Education, World Languages, Performing and Visual Arts, Health and Physical Education, Additional English Language Arts (6-12)
Updated deadlines give more time to prepare, but publisher submissions for the upcoming cycle are due in January 2025.
EdGate’s third-party review services ensure your materials are compliant, aligned, and ready for approval.

Let’s get started!

Contact EdGate today to discuss how we can help you navigate Florida’s evolving instructional materials process.

Keeping Up with Educational Changes

sschuller — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 15:49:01 +0000

Keeping Up with Educational Changes

sschuller Wed, 09/06/2023 - 08:49

New School Year, New Standards: Keeping Up with Educational Changes

September 06 2023

As students and teachers return to the classroom for a new school year, many changes are taking place in the world of Education Standards. From Arkansas to Utah, states across the nation are implementing changes to enhance the quality of education and better prepare students for the future. We have been updating the EdGate Standards Repository with these new and updated standards, adding appropriate metadata, and preparing them for immediate use. Below is an overview of these updates and what they mean for your company and solutions.

Comprehensive Coverage

Understanding the importance of staying up-to-date with evolving educational standards, EdGate is committed to provide publishers with the most up-to-date information available in standards. Here's a glimpse of the states and standards that have been updated this school year or are currently in progress:

Arkansas Language Arts Updates
Arizona Educational Technology Updates
Florida Social Studies:
Adjusts the way social events can be taught in the classroom.
Georgia Mathematics:
Promoting strategic mathematical thinking and reasoning to align with industry and workforce needs for the 21st century.
Louisiana Social Studies:
Cultivating a broad knowledge of U.S. and world history and civic principles.
Minnesota Arts:
Fostering artistic literacy across K-12 students through five arts areas: dance, media arts, music, theater, and visual arts.
Mississippi Social Studies:
Emphasis on mastering the five key social studies strands: civics, economics, geography, civil rights, and history.

New Mexico Social Studies:
Shifting towards inclusive narratives, inquiry-based questions, purposeful skill-content integration, providing opportunities for meaningful student discourse, and empowering student agency and identity pride.
Oklahoma Health and Physical Education Updates
South Carolina Language Arts Updates
Tennessee Computer Science:
Introducing students to computer systems and digital citizenship. In high school level students will be offered basic level introduction to computer science, including languages, app development, and hardware.
Tennessee Mathematics Updates
Texas Science:
Four high school courses were updated: Biology, Chemistry, Integrated Physics and Chemistry, and Physics.
Utah Language Arts:
Reduction in standards to simplify and clarify while combining Reading Literature and Reading Informational standards.

Indiana's Bold Move

One of the most significant developments this year comes from Indiana, where they have reduced their state standards by a remarkable 25 percent. This change aims to streamline curriculum, allowing educators to delve deeper into key concepts and foster a more profound understanding of the topics. To learn more about these transformative changes in Indiana, check out our detailed overview.

In addition, Indiana is one of the many states which require independent third-party reviews of existing alignments. EdGate offers third-party reviews and can provide feedback as well as a detailed statistics report and letter of confirmation of your material. Reach out to our representatives to find out how we can help.

Explore EdGate's Collection

At EdGate, we take pride in our world-class collection of educational standards. To explore these standards further and discover how they align with your educational goals, visit our Standards Library page.

North Dakota Approves Standards Updates for Math and ELA

sschuller — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 16:03:17 +0000

North Dakota Approves Standards Updates for Math and ELA

EdGate Services

Standard Updates

State Highlight

sschuller Wed, 08/23/2023 - 09:03

North Dakota Approves Standards Updates for Math and ELA

August 23 2023

The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction is in the process of preparing revisions for their 2023 mathematics and English language arts standards. These revised standards are anticipated to be fully implemented by the 2024-2025 academic year.

The updated math standards have been designed to develop problem solving skills for real math problems and to understand how different math concepts connect. The main teaching structure will be reduced to three practices: Problem-Solving, Connections, and Reasoning and Proof.

The new English Language Arts content standards, will develop foundational skills in reading, writing, and communicating effectively. The main emphasis of these standards will be to develop writing skills by increasing instructional time dedicated to phonics awareness during the early stages of primary education. This update is also geared towards increasing comprehension levels as students progress to higher grades.

Our team of experts have begun working through these changes, organizing the new standards, and are ready to assist in updating the alignments required to stay in compliance.

Reach out to us for more information on the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction changes and how EdGate can assist in a seamless transition to the updates.

North Carolina Updates K-12 Science Standards

sschuller — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 21:12:51 +0000

North Carolina Updates K-12 Science Standards

sschuller Tue, 08/01/2023 - 14:12

North Carolina Approves Updates to K-12 Science Standards

August 01 2023

North Carolina is gearing up for its first update to the state’s general science standards since 2009. Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, the K-12 Science Standards are scheduled for revision. The updated 2023 standards are “intended to foster conceptual understanding and help develop scientifically literate students.”

Designed to place a stronger emphasis on hands-on learning and catering to the needs of diverse learners, the new Standards are also inclusive of those with disabilities. While the core content remains largely unchanged, the standards have been rephrased to encourage the integration of Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) in a more immersive manner. This strategic shift is intended to put emphasis on the process of how students construct and develop their understanding of scientific concepts.

The rollout of these standards will occur in phases. Phase one is scheduled for the fall of 2023, with additional phases spanning the remainder of the 2024 school year.

The EdGate team of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) have started working through these changes, organizing the new standards and are ready to assist clients with a seamless transition to the updates.

Reach out to us for more information on the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction changes.

Indiana Approves Massive Reduction of Standards

sschuller — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 20:29:23 +0000

Indiana Approves Massive Reduction of Standards

Standard Updates

State Highlight

Teaching Trends

sschuller Tue, 07/11/2023 - 13:29

Indiana Approves Massive Reduction of Standards

July 11 2023

Clients are scrambling to get up to speed on the nearly 25% reduction of standards recently approved by the Board of Education in Indiana. Based on a study by the Office of Student Pathways, the goal was to ‘define essential postsecondary skills necessary to promote future success in employment, enrollment, or enlistment leading to service.’ In doing so, they prioritized standards for English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. The work, outlined by the Indiana Department of Education, was part of a mandatory review of standards conducted once every six years. A implementation guideline for the changes was issued in May, 2023.

Our team of Subject Matter Experts (SME’s) have been working through these changes, organizing the new standards, and are ready to assist in updating the alignments required to stay in compliance. For more information on the Indiana DOE changes, please contact Gina Faulk, General Manager of EdGate.