Advancing Equity in Education

Bi-Weekly Insights on Everything EdTech

Welcome to The EdTech Pulse, your ultimate guide to staying ahead of the curve with the latest trends and innovations in education technology, K-12, higher education, and workforce development. With each edition, we provide fresh industry news, insightful analysis, and valuable resources to empower you to make proactive, informed decisions. This week, we focus on advancing equity in education, a crucial priority as institutions realize that a one-size-fits-all approach leaves many students disadvantaged. By focusing on equitable solutions, we aim to create learning environments where every student has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background or circumstances.

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Industry News

Funding

• National education funding is at risk of an $11 billion cut for 2025. Learn more.
• Michigan secures record funding per pupil in new education budget. Learn more. 
• Wisconsin school districts to get over $400K in tech ed grants. Learn more.

Innovation, Trends, & Tools

• Can the New K-12 Federal Policy Document Make Digital Equity a Reality? Learn more.
• EdTech Index Announces Quality Indicators for New Tools. Learn more.
• Can AI Help Make Special Education More Equitable? Learn more.
• How to Craft a Generative AI Use Policy in Higher Education. Learn more.

The Course Materials Corner with Dr. Mike Moore

Making the Equity Connection

Recently, I had the distinct pleasure and honor of attending and presenting at the 2nd annual National Higher Education Teaching Conference. [A big thank you to Lisa March , Sharon Koch Schwarzmiller , and Jen Santaniello, CMM for the opportunity.] In the last 3 years, I have presented course materials over 40 times, but this was the first time I had ever presented at a conference that was solely focused on the profession of teaching.

In one session on equity in grading, Joe Feldman shared with us that the grading system we use today was born out of the Industrial Revolution for standardization and efficiency purposes, but it no longer accurately reflects or represents learning and knowledge as we understand it today. When we provide students with a grade at the end of the term, we are taking the abundance of information we know about a student and boiling it down to a single alpha character. That single alpha character ignores everything that has transpired within and to that student over a 15 or 16 week course and can potentially decide their future.

As I soaked up session after session at NHETC, one thing became clear: equity in course materials has the same implications as equity in teaching/grading. Just as archaic teaching and grading structures can undermine effective teaching and learning, increase student stress, and perpetuate achievement disparities, so can course materials. Until we (higher education) solve for the great equalizer in course materials acquisition and delivery, course materials will continue to be a barrier to access and achievement in higher education. Sorry, I only had 200 words – let’s chat in the comments.

If you are struggling to scale your course materials efforts or want to learn more, connect with us to find out how we can support your adoption growth.

For the Job Seekers

Here are roles our Talent Search Group is actively recruiting for:

• Account Executive, Higher Education (Minneapolis)
• Associate Vice President, Higher Education Data and Technology Sales (US Remote)
• Director of Sales, Higher Ed (US)
• Education Sales Manager, K-12 (NJ)
• Field Sales Specialist, K-12 (IL and IA)
• Product Marketing Manager (K-12)
• Sales Account Manager, Higher Education (US)
• Senior Director, Marketing, K-12 EdTech (Remote)

For the Educators

We offer paid opportunities for educators to participate in market research that will help transform educational tools. Opt-in here to learn more.

Upcoming Conferences

• Arizona CTE Conference: July 11-17 | Tucson, Arizona
• Distance Ed at a Crossroads: The Changing Landscape of New Regulations: July 30-31 | St. Louis, Missouri 
• The Badge Summit: August 5-7 | Boulder, Colorado 
• 2024 Summer Global Education Conference: August 8-9 | Los Angeles, California
• International Conference on Learning in Higher Education: August 29-30 | Bali, Indonesia (Hybrid)

PIP Announcements

Exciting New Partnerships in Educational Equity

EdTech Elevated

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