AEP Online
Featured Columns
Blaschke on Fed. Funding
A+ Advice for Parents
    Archives
Archives
    Education 
    Legislation
    Technology
    Market Trends
    Misc. Topics
About

NIMAS Development Committee Working Out Implementation Details

Over 30 representatives from the government and non-profit sector, along with other stakeholders affected by NIMAS/NIMAC implementation, met in Dallas September 12 and 13 to iron out some of the final steps. The NIMAC repository is scheduled to open December 5, 2006; states and schools are beginning their textbook adoption processes, and all parties are rushing to finalize the details so students can begin receiving accessible materials as soon as possible.

Federal rules implementing NIMAS went into effect in August 2006. However, there still remain details that need clarification. One issue of concern to supplemental publishers has been the definition of materials for which states and schools may request NIMAS file sets. According to an agreement reached at the committee meeting last week:

“Related core materials” are printed materials, other than textbooks, designed for use by students in the classroom in conjunction with a textbook and which, together with the textbook, are necessary to meet the curriculum requirements for the intended course.  The materials should be directly related to the textbook and wherever possible they should be published by the publisher of the textbook. Related core materials do not include materials that are not written and published primarily for use by students in the classroom (e.g., trade books not bundled with the textbook, newspapers and reference works) nor ancillary or supplemental materials that are not necessary to meet the curriculum requirements for the intended course.

For purposes of these definitions, the term "curriculum requirements for the intended course" refers to relevant curriculum standards and requirements as established by a state educational agency or local educational agency. In addition, this language is prospective, meaning that only materials published after July 2006 are subject to the request. This definition, a list of conversion houses, and much more is included on the NIMAS at CAST website, http://nimas.cast.org.

Publishers will also be able to test their files with an online validating tool at the NIMAC repository and find out the process for submitting their files.

Questions, ideas, or in need of more information? Please contact Stacey Pusey at 856-241-7772.

To find out more, visit the comprehensive FAQ on the NIMAS at Cast website. For more information contact Jennifer Hill, AEP Government Relations Director, jhill@AEPweb.org.

© 2008 The Association of Educational Publishers
510 Heron Drive, Suite 201 • Logan Township, NJ 08085 • P:856-241-7772 • F:856-241-0709 • Email: mail@AEPweb.org
 
Satellite Offices:
Two Bala Plaza, Suite 300 • Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
C/O Knowledge Alliance • 815 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 220 • Washington, DC 20006