Just in case you don't already have enough reading material stacked up on your desk or bedside table, I thought I'd call your attention to several interesting reports.

As the states prepare to get serious about science instruction, the National Center for Education Statistics and the National Science Foundation released Results from Teaching Science in Five Countries , the second report released by the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study ( TIMSS) 1999 Video Study . The report examines trends in patterns of science teaching based on an examination of a representative sample of 439 videotapes of eighth-grade science lessons from Australia, the Czech Republic, Japan, the Netherlands, and the United States. The earlier study, released in 2003, focused on eighth-grade mathematics instruction. While the videos were made in 1999, the teaching patterns are likely to be relatively stable and they can be a valuable resource for professional development. TIMSS data has been collected in 1995, 1999, and 2003. The United States will next collect TIMSS data in Spring 2007. The new report is at http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2006011

The Council of the Great City Schools released Beating the Odds: A City-by-City Analysis of Student Performance and Achievement Gaps on State Assessments, Results from the 2004-2005 School Year , its sixth edition of this report. Beating the Odds looks at how major urban school systems are performing on state assessments. The 66 Great City School Districts are making gains in math and reading scores on both state tests and NAEP. However progress is uneven and the nature of state testing and reporting makes it very difficult to make any reliable comparative analyses. But given the significant challenges these school systems face, the progress they report is truly good news. http://www.cgcs.org/pdfs/BTOVI%20Final%2054%20pages.pdf

You may also want to read the transcript of a recent Education Week chat on Math and Science Education in the U.S, featuring Jim Rubillo , executive director of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and Jodi Peterson , director of legislative affairs for the National Science Teachers Association . See http://www.edweek.org/chat/transcript_02_08_2006.html

Last week I mentioned Results That Matter: 21st Century Skills and High School Reform , from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills . The document, a framework for 21st century learning that focuses on results that matter for today's high school graduates, can be found at http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/documents/P21_report.pdf

The survey conducted for the James Irvine Foundation exploring high school students' attitudes toward expanded education pathways, including academically rigorous career and technical education programs can befound at http://www.connectedcalifornia.org/survey.php

Lead of the WeekA LEAD FOR YOU FROM QED's SCHOOL PURCHASING MONITOR
QED's School Purchasing Monitor is a subscription service that delivers daily email updates of what schools across the nation are planning to purchase -- from construction and equipment to curriculum and supplemental materials. To give you a preview of the service, each week we will publish one representative bid opportunity. For more information see www.qeddata.com/schoolfunding.htm.

WHAT: Content Filtering System
WHO: Milwaukee (WI) Public Schools
CONTACT: Edward Nelson, (414) 475-8822
DUE DATE: 04/18/2008

Feature Story New Education Conference to Address Issues Surrounding Creation and Delivery of K-12 Instructional Materials

Chatsworth, CA—T.H.E. Journal, the first magazine to cover technology in education and, for more than 30 years in the forefront of the advancement of the learning process, announces a new initiative aimed at exploring all aspects of K-12 curricular materials.

The Congress on the Future of Content, May 8 – 9, 2008, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Washington, DC, will bring together leaders from all aspects of the educational publishing industry—print, digital and combined—including basal publishers, supplemental publishers and companies serving those publishers, to examine and create the future of content in education.

Find the full story here.

Join the growing list of EdNET 2008 Sponsors already confirmed...

K-12 Market HeadlinesThree RALLY! Education Supplemental Intervention Programs Have Been Adopted by the Orange County Florida Department of Education

(RALLY! Education, March 26, 2008)
RALLY! Education’s ACHIEVE YOUR READING GOAL, Essential Skills Reading Online, and Focus on Reading have been adopted by Orange County Public Schools for Supplemental Intervention Reading Programs (SIRP).
http://www.qeddata.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=7323

New Lesson Plan Book from Inspiration Software Offers Strategies for Using Visual Learning to Help Young Learners Build Literacy Skills

(Inspiration Software, Inc., March 25, 2008)
“Kidspiration in the Classroom: Reading Essentials,” the newest addition to Inspiration Software’s library of lesson plan books, includes lessons for grades K-2 focusing on early literacy and the essential components of effective reading instruction...
http://www.qeddata.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=7324

Pearson Announces Exclusive Partnership with Nationally-Acclaimed Curriculum Designer Grant Wiggins

(Pearson, March 25, 2008)
School educational publishers today announced an exclusive partnership with Grant Wiggins, considered one of the nation’s preeminent experts in curriculum design. Wiggins will serve as an author and consultant for Pearson on programs across all disciplines and grade levels.
http://www.qeddata.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=7325

Classroom Suite Activity Exchange Reaches Landmark Milestone

(IntelliTools, March 24, 2008)
IntelliTools, a division of Cambium Learning Technology, is thrilled to announce that there are now over 3,000 online activities available through the Classroom Suite Activity Exchange. The Classroom Suite Activity Exchange is a dynamic online, self-governing community of educators who can actively share curriculum activities for all types of learners.
http://www.qeddata.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=7326

PASCO scientific Announces Revolutionary New Discovery-Based Science Learning Environment

(PASCO scientific, March 24, 2008)
PASCO scientific today announces the SPARK Science Learning System™, an all-in-one discovery-learning environment that seamlessly integrates the power of probeware with inquiry-based content and assessment. With its large full color display, finger-touch navigation and completely intuitive data collection and analysis capabilities, the SPARK™ system redefines the concept of easy-to-use -- keeping the focus on learning science.
http://www.qeddata.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=7328

Tabula Digita Reports More Teachers and Experts Embrace Educational Gaming in the Classroom

(Tabula Digita, March 21, 2008)
In a survey conducted at the 2008 Florida Educational Technology Conference (FETC), 89 percent of the teachers who participated in the conference’s inaugural State Challenge Multiplayer Educational Games (MEG) Tournament, said that their opinions about educational video games “had been impacted in a favorable way.”
http://www.qeddata.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=7329

Holt Partners with Action Learning Systems To Develop Teacher Training for Holt California Mathematics Meeting Requirements of SB 472

(Holt McDougal, March 20, 2008)
Holt McDougal has partnered with long-standing educational professional development firm, Action Learning Systems (ALS) in providing teacher and administrator training programs for the Holt California Mathematics curriculum.
http://www.qeddata.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=7330

GoalView Intervention & Special Education Management System Endorsed by the Council of Administrators of Special Education

(Learning Tools International, March 13, 2008)
Learning Tools International announced that the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE), an affiliate of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) has endorsed GoalView, LTI’s Internet based Specialized Student Information System.
http://www.qeddata.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=7331

Higher Ed Headlines

Six Institutions of Higher Education Upgrade to Jenzabar EX in Q4 2007

(Jenzabar, Inc., March 26, 2008)
Jenzabar EX, a Total Campus Management™ solution, will provide the campuses with a robust administrative system to help manage and share real-time information, streamline workflow, and optimize business processes.
http://www.qeddata.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=7332

Xap Corporation and Avow Systems, Inc. Announce Partnership To Extend Secure Electronic Document Delivery

(Avow Systems, Inc., March 26, 2008)
The Xap Corporation and Avow Systems, Inc. partnership expands Xap's service offerings to customers in colleges, high schools, and the workforce by managing the ability to process, certify, secure and deliver any electronic document.
http://www.qeddata.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=7333

Saba Centra Enables University of North Carolina at Charlotte To Deliver Engaging, Interactive Distance Learning Programs

(Saba, March 25, 2008)
By using Saba Centra, University of North Carolina is able to provide its students with an easy-to-use, engaging online classroom experience that enables them to complete instructor-led certification and degree programs regardless of where they are located.
http://www.qeddata.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=7334

University of Houston Report Shows ‘Hybrid Class’ Proves More Successful for Students Than Traditional Class Settings

(University of Houston, March 24, 2008)
A technical report from a University of Houston Department of Health and Human Performance researcher finds that students in a “hybrid class” that incorporated instructional technology with in-class lectures scored a letter-grade higher on average than their counterparts who took the same class in a more traditional format.
http://www.qeddata.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=4623

Internet/Telecom

EBSCO Publishing and NoveList Introduce NoveList® Plus

(EBSCO Publishing, March 26, 2008)
The creators of the readers’ advisory database NoveList®, have created NoveList® Plus — adding nonfiction content to the fiction experience which has made NoveList one of the most-used resources for readers’ advisory.
http://www.qeddata.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=7336

New Computer Security Feature Added to Writing Roadmap, CTB/McGraw-Hill’s Premiere Online Writing Assessment

(CTB/McGraw-Hill, March 26, 2008)
CTB/McGraw-Hill’s Writing Roadmap™, a Web-based classroom writing assessment that has been demonstrated to improve student performance, meets the needs of educators with online security features that enable teachers to administer and monitor classroom writing exams with confidence.
http://www.qeddata.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=7337

Colorado Nexus Library Consortium Selects the AGent VERSO™ Integrated Library System

(Auto-Graphics, Inc., March 25, 2008)
Auto-Graphics, Inc. announced that the Colorado Nexus library consortium, consisting of 42 school libraries and 8 public libraries, have selected AGent VERSO™ as their integrated library system (ILS).
http://www.qeddata.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=7339

The Little Engine That Could and Other Children’s Classics from Penguin Young Readers Group Go Digital at kidthing

(kidthing, March 25, 2008)
Young Readers Group and kidthing have teamed up to create the first ever direct to consumer digital versions of The Little Engine That Could band other classic titles…The companies will bring enhanced digital versions of Penguin’s beloved classic children’s books to the kidthing platform.
http://www.qeddata.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=7340

Midland County Texas Uses Omnilink’s Electronic Monitoring Solution To Get Students Back in School

(Omnilink Systems, March 25, 2008)
The Midland County Justice Court in Texas, announced the use of Omnilink’s electronic monitoring devices on at-risk truant students to track whether they are attending school.
http://www.qeddata.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=7341

Pearson Develops New Computer Skill Competency Assessment for Georgia Educators

(Pearson, March 25, 2008)
The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) announced today the launch of a new assessment that will certify state educators in computer skill competency. Developed by Pearson’s teacher licensure testing group, the new assessment is being delivered via Internet-based testing.
http://www.qeddata.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=7342

Vantage Learning and 8e6 Technologies Partner To Deliver Safest, Most Comprehensive Web Search for K-12

(Vantage Learning, March 24, 2008)
By combining Vantage Learning’s innovative natural language search engine, iSEEK Targeted Discovery, and 8e6 Technologies’ leading Web filtering and reporting tools, users will be assured that they are engaging in the most comprehensive, satisfying and safe Web search experience in the world.
http://www.qeddata.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=7343

Funds For Learning, eSchool News Partner To Survey E-rate Applicants

(Funds For Learning, LLC, March 18, 2008)
Funds For Learning, in partnership with eSchool News, today announce the launch of the National E-rate Survey. The goal of the survey is to measure applicants' attitudes and opinions about the E-rate program, and identify the program's key strengths and challenges.
http://www.qeddata.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=7344

International Headlines

Financials/Mergers/Corporate

Scholastic Announces Fiscal 2008 Third Quarter Results Updating Outlook on Solid Performance of Core Businesses

(Scholastic Corporation, March 27, 2008)
For the quarter ended February 29, 2008, the Company reported revenue from continuing operations of $458.4 million, up from $446.0 million in the prior year quarter. Net loss from continuing operations was $4.6 million or $0.12 per share, compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $3.8 million or $0.09 per share in the prior year period.
http://www.qeddata.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=7345

Follett Corporation Expands Education Digital Content Platform Wwth Acquisition of Fourteen40 Inc.

(Follett Corporation, March 24, 2008)
Follett Corporation announced the acquisition of technology firm Fourteen40 Inc., an innovator of Web 2.0 social networking for collaborative learning. The acquisition includes Fourteen40's social networking solution called CafeScribe, an online site at which students can browse, purchase and download eBooks that they need for class.
http://www.qeddata.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=7346

Product Announcements
Blackboard Introduces New Blackboard Learning System Releases That Pave the Way for Next Generation Solutions

(Blackboard Inc., March 27, 2008)
Blackboard Inc. announced today the general availability of Release 8.0 of the Blackboard Learning SystemTM - CE and Vista Licenses. Following the December 2007 launch of Release 8.0 for the flagship Blackboard Learning SystemTM - Enterprise License, this latest advancement brings all of the company's teaching and learning product lines to an 8.0 release.
http://www.qeddata.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=7347

(National Forum on Education Statistics, March 25, 2008)
The U.S. Department of Education's National Forum on Education Statistics released the first of two online courses for local education agencies (LEA). These two courses, focused on improving education data, have been developed by the National Forum on Education Statistics, and in cooperation with the Schools Interoperability Framework Association, the Council of Chief State School Officers and the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit.
http://www.qeddata.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=7348

Hi everyone! You will see that this was a quiet week for news, and actually I have appreciated that! I am on semi-vacation this week and next (how do you totally get away from work??) while George’s and my two granddaughters from the Seattle area spend time here during their Spring Breaks. As the two weeks did not coincide, we have the girls, now 13 and 17, here back-to-back, which is fun and some one-on-one time with each. Since teenagers tend to sleep late, it has allowed for early morning work followed by shopping trips, pool time, sightseeing excursions, manis and pedis, movies and more – all wonderful! So thanks for going easy on me this week with the news – read on for the scoops you will want to know….

Funds For Learning, LLC has named as President of the company. She has been with Funds For Learning since 2000 and has held a number of roles in the company. She most recently served as Vice-President of Client Operations. The company previously operated under a single President and Chief Executive Officer. Due to the firm’s continued growth, the company will now operate with these roles filled by two individuals. As President, Cathy will oversee day-to-day operations of the company and provide direction to company managers and directors. John D. Harrington continues as Chief Executive Officer. Send congratulations on the job roles and the growth of the company to Cathy and John.

And I got a wonderful note from Laurie Swiryn, Vice President, Education Markets of Cuesta Technologies – she had shared with me at FETC the scoop that her daughter Lissa was going to be proposed to soon, and Laurie knew the details – but the big problem was that she was having to keep the secret from Lissa. I am not at all sure I could have managed that! But “the event” happened last week so I can now share the happy news. Laurie was in the Dominican Republic last week to witness the proposal which, as planned, happened on the beach in front of Laurie and the now son-in-law-to-be Ian’s mother. Laurie reported it was so exciting and that she and her husband Monty are delighted. She sent pictures, which were so beautiful…Lissa’s surprise, the laughter and love evident on Ian’s and Lissa’s faces, the happy faces of the mothers and an absolutely exquisite ring. The couple is moving to Santiago, Chile, to teach there, and the wedding is being planned for summer of 2009. Having just been through this with our youngest daughter Amanda, I told Laurie she is about to enjoy a year of planning and very special times with her daughter. I am so happy for their family!

So that’s it for this week, friends! I know it is not looking like Spring everywhere, but it is here in Houston, and it is so beautiful and a great time for our granddaughters to be here from the northwest. Wishing you a happy weekend with your family and friends…my best, Vicki, the Snoop

What's happening that you'd like to share? Do you have personal news or know about promotions or job moves? Submit contributions to bighamv@aol.com to share them with the ed tech community.

The Heller Reports/Quality Education Data News Alert

The Heller Reports/Quality Education Data News Alert is edited by Anne Wujcik, Education Analyst for Quality Education Data. If you have news or information pertinent to the industry, please contact Anne at anne@hellerreports.com. News Alert uses press releases and other news resources as sources for its contents. The material presented in each issue is not independently verified; readers are advised that press releases reflect the views of those issuing them.

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