eSchoolNews Uses EDRoom Online Discussion Service to Strengthen its Editorial Process

eSchoolNews, the popular educational technology-focused publication, recently took advantage of the EDRoom online discussion service and found that it adds significant value to the development of its special reports. EDRoom's research experts worked with eSchoolNews feature writers for the report in the June issue, Rating the E-rate, to develop a discussion guide of topics and questions about E-rate, the federal program that provides funds to build online capacity for schools.

Contact: Glen McCandless, EDRoom Inc., 212-787-6056
 

Kansas City, Missouri School District Selects SEAS™ Special Education Management Solution

After a competitive bidding process involving vendors from around the country, the Kansas City, Missouri School District (KCMSD) has selected Computer Automation Systems, Inc.’s (CAS) SEAS™ special education management solution to replace its legacy solution.

Read the complete press release.

Contact: Glen McCandless, EDRoom Inc., 212-787-6056
 

Rob Waldron Joins Curriculum Associates as New President and Chief Operating Officer

Curriculum Associates, a leading publisher of research-based supplemental curriculum materials and tools for today’s diverse classrooms, has named Robert L. Waldron as its new president and also appointed him to the newly created position of chief operating officer. Waldron succeeds company founder, former president and owner Frank Ferguson who, now in his 80s, has assumed the role of chairman and chief executive officer.

Contacts: Kati Elliott, KEH Communications
Cyndy Carlson, Curriculum Associates
 

Linworth Introduces Second Volume of Technology Projects for Library Media Specialists

Linworth Publishing, Inc., publisher of professional development resources for K-12 educators, is pleased to announce a new resource for K-8 educators titled Technology Projects for Library Media Specialists and Teachers, Volume II: Books, Boxes, and All Things Fun to Make. Written by Patricia Ross Conover, the book focuses on technology-based projects to be used by library media specialists and classroom teachers in grades K-8.

Contact: Ashley Knight, Linworth Publishing, Inc.
 

Prestwick House Launches Middle School Book Center Catalogue

This week, Prestwick House Inc., Delaware’s Premier Educational Publisher, is launching its first catalogue focused on teachers of students in grades 4-8. For more than 25 years, Prestwick House has served high school teachers by developing and distributing high-quality books and teaching materials for educators across the country. This new catalogue will provide middle and upper-elementary-grade teachers with a wide variety of new and high-quality educational products.

Contact: Keith Bergstrom, Prestwick House, Inc.
 

Writing Intervention Kit for High School

Maupin House Publishing announces the release of the Writing Intervention Kit for High School, a curriculum containing 90 hours (18 weeks) of daily instruction that focuses on informational writing skills central to helping striving high school writers pass state assessment and exit exams.

Contact: Laura Lok, Maupin House Publishing
 

Campus Technology and T.H.E. Journal: Delivering Comprehensive Coverage of the Education Technology Market

Campus Technology and T.H.E. Journal, both published by 1105 Media, offer comprehensive coverage of the education technology market. These market-leading publication lists, along with the e-newsletter subscriber lists, are a "must mail" when targeting IT professionals in K-12 and higher-education. Each list is highly-selectable, highly-responsive, and offers the ability to target by direct mail, e-mail and telemarketing.

Contact: Elizabeth Jackson, Merit Direct
 

Vernier Ushers in Fall with Free Science Workshops

This fall, Vernier Software & Technology offers free hands-on workshops designed to help math and science educators integrate data-collection technology into any science or math curriculum with handheld devices. During each four-hour workshop, Vernier trainers will provide hands-on experience using handheld data-collection technology to enhance projects in chemistry, biology, physics, math, middle school science, physical science and Earth science. Attendees will learn how to use the LabQuest, Vernier’s most powerful, intuitive and mobile interface. The workshops will also cover how teachers can collect data using computers, Texas Instruments graphing calculators and Palm OS handhelds.

Contacts: Daylene Long, Vernier Software & Technology
Kati Elliott, KEH Communications
 

Ohio District Uses Online Formative Assessment Software to Continually Measure Progress

As teachers and administrators in the West Muskingum School District in Zanesville, Ohio, start the new school season, they will soon reap the benefits from up-to-date information on student progress provided throughout the year by a new online formative assessment system. The three-year contract with STI, a leading provider of education data management systems, includes STIAssessment, a web-based formative assessment creation and data tracking system, product implementation, training and use. The system was rolled out to West Muskingum Middle School in April of this year.

Contacts: Jenna Wood, STI
Kristen Plemon, C. Blohm & Associates
 

Lightspeed Systems Ranked Among Inc.'s Fastest-Growing Private Companies

Lightspeed Systems Inc. was recently recognized on the Inc. 5000 list for the second year in a row as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America. Lightspeed Systems, a developer of security software for the education market, was ranked 3,073 on the list based on its 113.8 percent revenue growth over the past three years.

Contacts: Crystal Cochran, Lightspeed Systems
Kristen Plemon, C. Blohm & Associates
 

2008-2009 QED State School Guides Online

QED State School Guides Online are better than ever - and easier on the environment! Order by Oct. 31, 2008 and save over 10%! QED State School Guides Online are your window to the education market. With a completely re-designed interface it's easier than ever to access the data you need to identify and pursue sales opportunities.

More information: www.qeddata.com/MarketKno/SchoolGuides/SchoolGuides.aspx
 

Schools Become “Campaign Central” With ABC- CLIO’s Election History Reference Resources, Activities

With less than two months until the most historic presidential election in decades, school librarians and teachers can use the excitement of current events as a springboard to answer questions about campaigns and voters, and teach the history of our country’s political process with an authoritative and intriguing collection of free resources from ABC-CLIO. Launching on Sept. 5, “Presidential Elections: In History & Today” will feature historical background on elections paired with classroom activities and research project ideas that will help put Campaign 2008 into historical context for students.

Contact: Wendy Lienhart, L. Wolfe Communications
 

Adaptive Curriculum Wins 2009 Teachers' Choice Award

Less than half the nation's high school graduates are prepared for college-level math and science, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Since middle school is where students build foundational skills in these important subjects, teachers are looking for more effective ways to teach math and science than traditional textbooks afford. In recognition of its efforts to help middle school teachers, Sebit, LLC has been honored with a 2009 Teachers' Choice(SM) Award from Learning(R) magazine.

Contacts: Peggy Lanier, Sebit, LLC
Emily Embury, C. Blohm & Associates, Inc.
 

Discovery Education's Planet Earth Education Edition Honored with 2009 Teachers' Choice Award for the Classroom

Learning magazine has honored Discovery Education with a 2009 Teachers' Choice Award for the Classroom, recognizing the value of the Planet Earth Education Edition in teaching. Promoting critical thinking and developing a cross-curricular framework for instruction, the Planet Earth Education Edition, and the accompanying resources from Discovery Education, empower educators to connect essential concepts in science, social studies and the humanities.

Contact: Stephen Wakefield, Discovery Education
 

AEP Member Rita Ferrandino is a Delegate for the Democratic National Convention

Rita Ferrandino, Principal for ARC Captial Development, is attending the Democratic National Convention in Denver as a delegate from Florida, where she chairs the Sarasota Democratic Committee. Not only is she there, but she’s blogging and has even been interviewed by the New York Times and is involved in a free course being provided by Smarthinking around the convention.

See the NYT interview at: thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com

More information: DNC Education 2008
 

New Linworth Title Teaches Mathematics through Reading for Grades 6-8

Linworth Publishing, Inc., publisher of professional development resources for K-12 educators, is excited to announce a new resource for Grades 6-8 titled Teaching Mathematics through Reading: Methods and Materials. Written by Faith H. Wallace Ph.D and Jill Shivertaker, the book encourages teachers and librarians to use all types of texts to teach mathematical concepts and standards to young people.

Contact: Ashley Knight, Linworth Publishing, Inc.
 

Shakespeare Squared Receives Workplace Award

Shakespeare Squared is proud to receive two workplace awards this summer. In June 2008 we were named one of the Best Places to Work in Illinois. This award is given to 30 companies statewide and is co-sponsored by The Business Ledger, the Illinois Chapter of the Society of Human Resource Managers, and The Illinois State Chamber of Commerce.

Our company was also selected in August as a winner of the 2008 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility. This prestigious award recognizes employers that are successfully using workplace flexibility to meet both employer and employee goals. Thanks to our tremendous staff for their continued and valuable contributions to our workplace!

More information: www.shakespearesquared.com
 

General Motors, Discovery Education Name Winners of 2008 LIVE GREEN Teacher Grants

General Motors and Discovery Education are pleased to announce the forty winners of the 2008 LIVE GREEN Teacher Grants. Each of the forty winning middle or junior high school educators will receive a $1,000 grant to implement new, inventive classroom lessons on the environment or renewable energy initiatives. As stewards of the next generation, teachers are uniquely positioned to instill in their students excitement and optimism about the future of our planet. The LIVE GREEN Teacher Grant program recognizes outstanding educators who are implementing innovative ideas, inspires teachers to improve science instruction and empowers educators to offer students hands-on exposure to real-world environmental and energy topics. To view the complete list of LIVE GREEN Grant winners, visit www.discoveryeducation.com/livegreen.

Contacts: Stephen Wakefield, Discovery Education
Geri Lama, General Motors
 

Walch Education profiled in Maine business journal

Walch Education was profiled nicely in the current issue of Mainebiz, Maine's business journal, tracing the company's journey from 1927 to the present.

Read the complete press release.

Contact: John Spritz, Walch Education
 

Maine and Maryland partner on new math program

More than 10,000 eighth- and ninth-grade students in Prince George’s County, Maryland, have begun school using an innovative mathematics program developed in partnership with Walch Education, a Maine education firm.

Read the complete press release.

Contact: John Spritz, Walch Education
 

100 School Districts Receive Free Web Solution

School districts can now easily create and maintain functional, professional-looking websites with School Loop Standard, an easy-to-use hosted content management system from educational software company School Loop. Specially designed for school systems, School Loop Standard is now available at no cost to the first 100 district customers.

Contact: Kati Elliott, KEH Communications
 

New Treasure Bay Title is Call to Action for Reading Development

Making time to read at home can be a significant factor in a child's reading development. The importance of parental involvement is the focus of the new teacher resource from Treasure Bay Publishing, Involving Parents in their Children's Reading Development: A Guide for Teachers, by Bruce Johnson. Designed to provide teachers with practical resources to encourage parents to actively participate in their child's reading development, Involving Parents in their Children's Reading Development offers a unique and much-needed resource. Johnson's thesis is that parental involvement can make all the difference in helping students master reading and becoming avid readers. The book is filled with field-tested materials that teachers can immediately use with parents of students ranging from preschool through middle school.

Contact: Gloria Lapuyade, Treasure Bay, Inc.
 

Purposeful Writing Assessment

Assess Writing Using Multiple-Choice Practice from Maupin House

When used as a diagnostic tool, assessments provide a window into students’ patterns of thinking and processing information, allowing teachers to target and differentiate their instruction to address weaknesses. Susan Koehler gives teachers of grades three through eight the convenient tools they need to conduct purposeful writing assessment based on multiple-choice practice within the three major areas of writing: focus and organization, style and composition, and conventions and mechanics. Each of the 15 skill sets has one assessment for pre-testing and one for determining student mastery of the specific skill. This valuable supplemental tool is complete with answer keys, re-teaching strategies, a bibliography of professional resources that address each skill set, and a complete cross-index of literature models.

Contact: Laura Lok, Maupin House Publishing
 

New Webinar! Successful Freelancing in Educational Publishing

Want to supplement your income by freelancing in the educational publishing field? Or brush up on the skills you already have? Join our first Webinar, "Successful Freelancing in Educational Publishing," on Tuesday, September 9 from noon-12:45 p.m. CST/CDT. This 45-minute Webinar will be presented by UpGrade Education's Director of Product Development Susan Romberg. Susan is a former Editorial Director at Shakespeare Squared, UpGrade Education's sister company, and started out in educational publishing as a freelancer after teaching high school English. She will present the critical skills needed to succeed as a freelancer in the educational publishing industry and follow with a Q&A session.

More information: www.UpGradeEducation.com
 

Announcing Young Scientist Challenge Finalists

The search for the nation's Top Young Scientist and Top Science Teacher narrowed today as Discovery Education and 3M announced the names of ten middle school students and five science teachers selected as finalists in the 2008 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge (YSC). The ten student finalists will compete in the nation's Capital from October 4-6, 2008, for the chance to win a $50,000 U.S. Savings Bond ($25,000 cash value) as well as the title of "America's Top Young Scientist of the Year." NASA will host the competition finals at its world-renowned Goddard Space Flight Center, located near Washington, D.C., where students will demonstrate their science prowess in a series of team-based, interactive challenges focused on this year's theme, "The Science of Space." Meanwhile, the teachers will contend for a specially selected set of prizes and recognition as "America's Top Science Teacher of the Year."

Contacts:Tammy Shea, Discovery Communications
Glenn Carter, 3M
 

Introducing the School Library Market Report 2008-2009 from Simba

Introducing the newest addition to Simba's collection of Education research: School Library Market Report 2008-2009. This report offers an up-close analysis of the K-12 school library market, providing publishing decision-makers the most up-to-the-minute business information on market trends, opportunities and growth potential.

Contact: Linda Kopp, Simba Information
 

Myngle successfully launches global online marketplace for live interactive language instruction

Since December 2007, Myngle.com has been bringing together language teachers and students from all over the world enabling live lessons for conversational practice over the Internet. Myngle offers a solution that provides the possibility of teaching or receiving live one-on-one classes from the comfort of your home for practically any language and level from any type of teacher. Since last December almost 20.000 users registered on Myngle for teaching or taking language lessons. Myngle also closed a first financing round raising 800.000 euro from both professionals and private investors. On the Benelux Venture 50 conference Myngle was elected one of the most promising ICT start ups in the Benelux.

Contact: Egbert van Keulen, Myngle
 

Linworth Books Announces Second Edition of Redefining Literacy 2.0

Linworth Publishing, Inc., publisher of professional development resources for K-12 educators, is excited to announce the follow-up publication by David F. Warlick titled Redefining Literacy 2.0, Second Edition. Updated with what literacy truly means in the 21st Century, the resource is filled with big, meaningful ideas. The purpose of this book is not to replace the three Rs, but to expand them to a model for literacy that applies to classrooms, which are shape-shifting under the pressures of converging conditions. This is a must-read for all educators!

Contact: Ashley Knight, Linworth Publishing, Inc.
 

Key Curriculum Press Chosen as Finalist for EdNET 2008 Impact Award

The Heller Reports, a QED company and leading provider of education market news and events, announced that Key Curriculum Press is a finalist for the EdNET 2008 Impact Award. The Impact Award, established in 1992, is part of the prestigious EdNET Industry Awards program that recognizes organizations that have made important contributions through their products and programs to the education industry in the past year. Key Curriculum Press develops effective, high-quality mathematics and science educational materials and is a leading publisher of inquiry-based textbooks, software and supplemental materials for elementary, middle and high school students. The company has had a significant impact on mathematics education for 37 years by championing mathematics as an inquiry science and providing teachers with the tools to lead more students to their full potential in mathematics and science.

Contacts: Leigh Muzlsay Browne, Key Curriculum Press
Emily Embury, C. Blohm & Associates
 

Toon Boom Studio 4.5 is Released

Emmy Award-winning Toon Boom Animation Inc. today announced the launch of Toon Boom Studio 4.5 and its Toon Boom Studio Importer to Flash (TBSi). This latest version widens the animation possibilities by enabling users to create photo animation and live-action cartooning. Additional new features include a better integration with Photoshop files, extended ease of use, the ability to print, more export options to iTunes and YouTube as well as the import of Flip Boom and Animation-ish projects. TBSi lets users import Toon Boom Studio projects directly into Adobe Flash CS2 and CS3, resulting in a streamlined workflow for adding interactivity to their projects.

Contact: Karina Bessoudo, Toon Boom Animation Inc.
 

Curriki Selected as Finalist for EdNET 2008 Pioneer Award

The Heller Reports, a QED company and leading provider of education market news and events, announced today that Curriki is a finalist for the EdNET 2008 Pioneer Award. The Pioneer Award, established in 1992, is part of the prestigious EdNET Industry Awards program that recognizes organizations that have made important contributions through their products and programs to the education industry in the past year. Curriki's mission is to bridge the education divide by empowering teachers, students and parents with universal access to free, open source curricula. Curriki is a pioneer in applying an open source approach to curriculum development by building and supporting an online collaborative environment for educators, learners and committed education experts to work together in creating high-quality educational materials. Curriki has more than 40,000 registered members, with 2,000 additional members joining the online community every month.

Contacts: Peter Levy, Curriki
Emily Embury, C. Blohm & Associates, Inc.
 

Sebit, LLC Named Finalist for 2008 EdNET Rookie of the Year Award

The Heller Reports, a QED company and leading provider of education market news and events, announced today that Sebit, LLC is a finalist for the EdNET 2008 Rookie Award. The Rookie of the Year Award, established in 1992, is part of the prestigious EdNET Industry Awards Program that recognizes organizations that have made important contributions through their products and programs to the education industry in the past year. Sebit, LLC is the developer of Adaptive Curriculum, the award-winning, interactive online system designed to enhance teaching and learning in mathematics and science for teachers and students in the middle grades. Adaptive Curriculum provides a rich library of Activity Objects via a flexible online learning environment with simple and intuitive tools that support the learning and teaching experience.

Contacts: Peggy Lanier, Sebit, LLC
Emily Embury, C. Blohm & Associates, Inc.
 

Linworth Books Adds New Big6T Resource for Elementary Students

Linworth Publishing, Inc., publisher of professional development resources for K-12 educators, is excited to announce a new book for teaching the Big6 skills. This new title, called Teaching Elementary Information Literacy Skills with the Big6 by Joyce Needham, is a volume rich with ideas and applications for using the Big6 in elementary school. It includes brand-new strategies and lessons never published before and has everything needed to apply the Big6 to the elementary curriculum.

Contact: Ashley Knight, Linworth Publishing, Inc.
 

Prestwick House is Recognized as a Top-Notch Place to Work

This week Prestwick House is recognized as one of the top 20 places to work in Delaware for the second year running in the Wilmington News Journal’s Best Places to Work Survey, receiving a special award for the best Work/Life Mix in 2008. In 2007, Prestwick House was recognized as number 12 in the top Book Publishing Companies to work for nationwide in Book Business
Magazine. According to a survey, about two-thirds of Prestwick workers say they believe their organization is going in the right direction, hold confidence in their leaders, and believe the organization has both strong values and ethics. Eight out of ten believe their manager listens, that it's easy to tell them the truth, and that they clearly understand their roles in helping the company succeed.

Contact: Keith Bergstrom, Prestwick House
 

Pearson Appoints Peter Cohen CEO of U.S. School Curriculum Business

The education and technology company Pearson has named Peter Cohen as Chief Executive Officer of its U.S. School Curriculum Group, the market leader in elementary and secondary school publishing. Cohen will oversee Pearson’s preK through high school publishing enterprises in print and digital education. Over the past year, Pearson’s leading position has been enhanced by the success of its innovative blended text and digital elementary program enVisionMATH, the top-selling mathematics curriculum in the U.S.

Contact: Kate Miller, Pearson
 

New Linworth Books Resource on Assessing Critical Skills

Linworth Publishing, Inc., publisher of professional development resources for K-12 educators, adds a well-researched, practical book on assessing critical skills to its collection. Assessing Critical Skills by Jon Mueller allows the library media specialist to not only teach the standards, but to also teach students to improve their critical skills.

Contact: Ashley Knight, Linworth Publishing, Inc.
 

Fourier Systems Instruments, Featured in HP Mobile Calculating Lab, Help Boost Technology Use in the Science Classroom

Fourier Systems, a global provider of science and 1:1 computing solutions for the education market, is providing a variety of its scientific probes and sensors to the HP Mobile Calculating Lab (MCL). Teaming with HP to offer middle school science educators the HP MCL solutions, Fourier Systems is helping students to explore everyday physical phenomena through math and science. By easily collecting and analyzing real-world data in real time, middle school students can perform a variety of experiments in physical, life, earth, and integrated sciences.

Contact: Brian DeSoto, Fourier Systems
 

Texas School Districts Choose Spectrum K12 School Solutions

Four Independent School Districts in Texas, Wichita Falls, Killeen, Pasadena and Midland have adopted Spectrum K12 School Solutions Inc.'s special education IEP software product Encore®. These four districts join a long list of districts in Texas that have chosen Encore as their solution of choice for at-risk student management tools. Encore is the leading special education and IEP software suite serving almost 10% of the U.S. K-12 student population, including 20 of the top 100 school districts in the United States.

Contact: Sue Hanson, Spectrum K12 School Solutions