Copyright 2004, The Heller Reports,
a QED company. All rights reserved.
Vol 6, No 35, March 19,
2004
EdNET Week Headlines is a free weekly emailed headline service, reaching 8,027 decision makers at more than 6,292 firms worldwide this issue. For your convenience, we have added a direct link to the story for each headline with an instant subscription option of 1 month, 3 months, or 1 year to Desktop EdNET Pro , the powerful EWH upgrade. This will allow you immediate access to the stories behind the headlines.
Are Schools Really Implementing Data-Driven Decision-Making?
How Is It Affecting Their Purchasing Decisions? What Is the Impact on Vendors?NCLB has put focus on effective ways to convert information about student and school performance into decisions that lead to improved student achievement. What's the progress of data-driven decision-making in schools and districts? How do educators feel about the requirements and what kind of support are they receiving from vendors?
Join The Heller Reports for our next Virtual Roundtable April 16th – DATA-DRIVEN DECISION-MAKING – GETTING TRACTION?
Find out what's happening and strategies to be a part of this important movement from panelists:
John D. Ross, PhD, Senior R&D Specialist, Instructional Technology, AEL
Hugh Walkup, PhD, Director, Strategic Accountability Service, Office of the Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of EducationTo register, visit http://www.hellerreports.com/roundtables/upcoming.aspx or call 877.435.5373 ext. 1.
A LEAD FOR YOU FROM 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.
WHAT: WAN/LAN Maintenance Services
WHO: Morongo Unified School District
WHERE: Los Angeles, CA
DUE DATE: 04/08/2004
CONTENTS
Feature Story
Implementation of NCLB Curtails Study of History, Civics, Languages, & the ArtsK-12 Market Headlines
AlphaSmart, Inc., MarketingWorks, Inc., JASON Foundation, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Curriculum Advantage, Inc., PLATO Learning, Inc., DynEd International Inc., IntelliTools®, Inc., LeapFrog SchoolHouse, Gallopade International, FableVision, Pearson Educational Measurement
News Sponsor: Update on Market Trends from QED, The Heller Reports & ScholasticHigher Ed Market Headlines
WebCT, SunGard SCT, eCollege, eSchoolMall, VentureRAMP, Inc., SMARTHINKINGInternet/Telecom Headlines
CompassLearning, Pearson Education, Fibertech Networks, LLC, CTB/McGraw-Hill, Kinderstreet Corporation, SmartSchools Alliance
News Sponsor: Call for Entries: QED Excellence AwardsInternational Headlines
First Virtual Communications, Inc.Financials/Mergers/Corporate
Discovery Communications, Inc., Scholastic Corporation, The Broad Foundation
News Sponsor: Get Results with Early Childhood!She Snoops for Scoops: The Personal Side of the EdNET
by Vicki Smith Bigham
Lucille Pacey, Jamie Alexander, Bonnie Bracey, Kathy Hurley, Deb Devries, And Pat Walkington, Daryl Ann Borel, Christine Griftner, Bob Moore, Steve Rappaport
News Sponsor: EdNET 2004
Feature Story
Implementation of NCLB Curtails Study of History, Civics, Languages, & the Arts, While Expanding Learning Time for Literacy, Math, & ScienceMarch 8, 2004 - The first significant study of how the No Child Left Behind Act is influencing instructional time and professional development in key subject areas reveals that schools are spending more time on reading, math, and science but squeezing out social studies, civics, geography, languages, and the arts.
The report, conducted by the Council for Basic Education (CBE) and funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, says that the shift away from these liberal arts subjects is most pronounced in elementary schools and schools with large minority populations.
(Find the full story at http://hellerreports.com/dte/lead.html)
K-12 MARKET HEADLINES
AlphaSmart Extends Licensing Agreement with PalmSource (AlphaSmart, Inc., March 18, 2004)
AlphaSmart, Inc. has extended the terms of its licensing agreement with PalmSource, Inc. The new contract, which gives AlphaSmart the ability to continue to innovate on the Palm OS platform, extends the terms of its original agreement by more than two years, or through December 31, 2008.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1732MarketingWorks, Inc. Announces a Strategic Partnership with PBS TeacherLine (MarketingWorks, Inc., March 18, 2004)
PBS TeacherLine, funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, selected MarketingWorks to provide market research, distribution, and marketing support. PBS TeacherLine seeks to use MarketingWorks’ education expertise to expand distribution of its online courses to preK-12 and pre-service teachers.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1762Teachers Not Comfortable Using Classroom Technology, According to New Survey; Believe Technology Helps Improve Student Achievement (JASON Foundation, March 18, 2004)
Almost 75 percent of teachers consider their comfort level with technology as novice to medium, according to a new survey of teachers conducted by the JASON Foundation for Education at the annual Texas Instruments’ T3 conference.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1733Holt and Encyclopaedia Britannica Sign Distribution Agreement for Mathematics in Context
(Holt, Rinehart and Winston, March 17, 2004)
Holt, Rinehart and Winston announced today a long-term agreement with Encyclopaedia Britannica that gives Holt exclusive distribution rights to Mathematics in Context (MiC), an innovative middle school mathematics curriculum published by Britannica and funded in part by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1734Curriculum Advantage Releases Classworks State Editions for Ohio and Oklahoma
(Curriculum Advantage, Inc., March 16, 2004)
Curriculum Advantage, Inc. announced today the release of two new State Editions of Classworks. Each learning activity in the Ohio State Edition and the Oklahoma State Edition of Classworks is aligned with that state’s learning standards: the Ohio Academic Content Standards and the Priority Academic Student Skills, respectively.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1735New York Jewish Education Institutions Expand Use of PLATO Learning Instructional Solutions
(PLATO Learning, Inc., March 16, 2004)
PLATO Learning, Inc. has signed a $508,000 agreement to deliver K–12 instruction to students at 11 Jewish education sites in cooperation with the Board of Jewish Education of Greater New York (BJE) under the New York City Bureau of Non-Public Schools.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1736DynEd Introduces Standards-Based First English for True Beginners Ages 10 – 17
(DynEd International Inc., March 15, 2004)
DynEd International Inc. announced the availability of First English, a standards-based true beginning course designed for ages 10 through 17. Based on DynEd’s research-supported approach that promotes effective, long-term learning, First English develops listening, speaking, grammar, reading and writing skills presented in a spiral syllabus.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1761IntelliTools Announces Contract with Downers Grove SD for Intellitools® Classroom Suite in Every K-6 Classroom (IntelliTools®, Inc., March 15, 2004)
IntelliTools®, Inc. announces that Downers Grove School District 58 in Downers Grove, Ill., has signed a contract for district-wide implementation of IntelliTools Classroom Suite in each of its K-6 classrooms. The decision follows a successful pilot program conducted on four network servers in buildings across the district.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1738Language First! Program from LeapFrog SchoolHouse Makes Georgia Approved List
(LeapFrog SchoolHouse, March 15, 2004)
LeapFrog SchoolHouse announced that Language First!, a multisensory English language development program, has been approved by the Georgia English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Committee as part of the State Recommended Textbook/Instructional Materials List.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1739New CD-ROMS Teach and Assess Comprehensive State Standards Content (Gallopade International, March 15, 2004)
Gallopade has created Virginia SOL Test Prep CD-ROMS and is considering partnering with textbook publishers to integrate this new instructional and assessment technology as an add-on for adopted social studies programs.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1740FableVision Partners with CAST To Take On Accessibility Challenges (FableVision, March 12, 2004)
Boston-based educational media developer and publisher FableVision has unveiled its first digital “talking book” title made accessible with DAISY 2.02 technology (Digital Accessible Information System.) The City Garden can be read by any DAISY 2.02 reader including CAST’s newly released eReader 3.0™, which also includes a new user interface designed in conjunction with FableVision.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1741Pearson Educational Measurement Wins North Carolina Writing Contract
(Pearson Educational Measurement, March 10, 2004)
Pearson Educational Measurement has been awarded a three-year contract for the North Carolina Writing Assessment by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Pearson will provide assessment services including performance scoring, materials handling, logistics and reporting.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1742
Get Ready For Your Back-To-School Planning with a Market Overview and Insight into Current and Forecasted Trends -
the QED Towne MeetingJoin industry experts Jeanne Hayes, President, QED; Nelson Heller, PhD, President, The Heller Reports; and Anne Wujcik, Editor, DeskTop EdNET Pro and Market Research Analyst for a market update and interactive discussion about today’s education market trends. QED's new Towne Meetings are a great way to find out what’s happening in the market and ask questions of these industry legends.
New York City – May 11, 2004
Chicago – May 13, 2004The Towne Meetings are no charge and are the perfect opportunity for you and your team to gear up for your summer planning. For more information, call 877.435.5373 ext. 23.
HIGHER ED MARKET HEADLINES
University of Sheffield Extends E-Learning Environment Through WebCT Vista (WebCT, March 18, 2004)
WebCT, one of the world's leading providers of e-learning solutions for higher education, today announced that the University of Sheffield has selected WebCT Vista(tm) to expand its existing online learning capabilities in response to institute-wide demand.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1743SunGard SCT Announces Support for RedHat Linux in Higher Education (SunGard SCT, March 17, 2004)
SCT Banner administrative systems now support the RedHat Linux open-source operating system. SCT Banner can now run on the RedHat Enterprise Linux Advanced Server (AS) 2.1 and 3.0, specifically for large data center servers. This announcement of Linux support brings all server-side functions of SCT Banner to the Linux platform.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1744eCollege(SM) and Pearson Education Provide Increased Access To Quality Online Content (eCollege, March 15, 2004)
eCollege has formalized a partnership with Pearson Education, the global leader in integrated education publishing. With the evolution of this partnership, all of Pearson’s higher education online course materials will now be available through the eCollege System.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1745eSchoolMall and Mercury Commerce Solutions Bring the Power of Web Commerce to Datatel Colleague Users (eSchoolMall, March 15, 2004)
eSchoolMall™, a market leader in online procurement solutions, today announced that its Mercury Commerce Solutions™ division has partnered with Datatel, Inc. to provide electronic procurement solutions for Colleague® clients.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1746Digital Gaming Linked To Future of Education and 21st Century Science (VentureRAMP, Inc., March 9, 2004)
VentureRAMP announced the publication today of, “Gaming: A Technology Forecast”, a major study conducted for the Texas State Technical College System by IC2 Institute in Austin. This forecast is the third in a series of reports forecasting emerging technologies and the types of technical education programs that are needed to maintain and improve Texas’ economic and technical competitiveness.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1748Southeast Community College Is First Nebraska College To Choose SMARTHINKING
(SMARTHINKING, February 26, 2004)
Starting in March, Southeast Community College, with campuses in Beatrice, Lincoln and Milford, Nebraska will be the first Nebraska college to offer its students around-the-clock tutoring and academic support online in math, writing, statistics, accounting, economics and chemistry.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1749
INTERNET / TELECOM HEADLINES
CompassLearning Launches New Web-Based Writing Product (CompassLearning, March 17, 2004)
CompassLearning has launched CompassLearning Odyssey(TM) Writer-based on scientific research and extensive review by top educators. The product breaks down the writing process into simple, more accessible steps like prewriting, drafting, revising, and publishing.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1750Family Education Network Launches MathBrain.com Next Generation Blend of Math and Play
(Pearson Education, March 18, 2004)
Funbrain.com, the Internet's popular, teacher-endorsed educational games site, has launched www.mathbrain.com, a safe, proven and tested environment designed to help children develop grade-based math skills while having fun. MathBrain is available free of charge to teachers, students and families.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1751State of Connecticut Awards Fibertech Contract To Expand Education Network
(Fibertech Networks, LLC, March 17, 2004)
Fibertech Networks, LLC has been selected by the State of Connecticut to expand the Connecticut Education Network (CEN). The CEN is a state-of the-art fiber optic communications network linking K-12 public schools, college campuses and libraries throughout the state.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1752West Virginia Selects CTB/McGraw-Hill for State's First Online Classroom Assessment System
(CTB/McGraw-Hill, March 16, 2004)
CTB/McGraw-Hill has been awarded a four-year contract by the West Virginia Department of Education to deliver a customized version of CTB's i-know(TM) family of online assessments designed for classroom use. The i-know West Virginia system will serve approximately 200,000 students in Grades 3-12.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1753Kinderstreet Delivers New Online Registration Tools for Providers and Parents (Kinderstreet Corporation, March 15, 2004)
Kinderstreet Corporation today announced the availability of its new Online Registration product. Designed for providers of before- and afterschool, childcare and preschool programs, this newest product in the suite of Kinderstreet online applications eliminates the time-consuming paper enrollment packages that plague providers and parents alike.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1754SmartSchools Alliance Establishes Partnerships with Family Education Network and Edulink
(SmartSchools Alliance, March 15, 2004)
The new web-based partnerships will offer small-to-medium-sized school districts the opportunity to access and purchase high-tech instructional and administrative technology products designed to increase teacher productivity, enhance student performance, and improve parent communications and data management.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1755
We Want To Give You and Your Colleagues a Pat on the Back.
Nominate Yourself or a Colleague for a
QED Ed Marketer Excellence Award!QED is recognizing the shining stars of education marketing. If you know one (or more!), submit your nominations for the following award categories by May 21, 2004 and see if they are winners.
PACESETTER AWARD - For outstanding marketing leadership
PINNACLE MENTORING AWARD - For outstanding mentoring of fellow professionals
RISING STAR AWARD - For outstanding leadership by a new professional in the fieldWinners will be announced at the 9th Annual QED Forum, July 19-21, 2004. For more information, nomination requirements and forms, visit http://www.QEDData.com/seminars/awards.htm or call 800.525.5811 ext. 9387.
And don’t miss keynoter Guy Kawasaki, one of the innovators behind the success of the Macintosh and Managing Director of Garage Technology Ventures!
INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES
First Virtual Communications Announces Click To Meet Deployment Planned for All London Region's 2,600 Schools (First Virtual Communications, Inc., March 17, 2004)
First Virtual Communications, Inc., a premier provider of infrastructure and solutions for real time rich media communications, announced that its Click to Meet(tm) solution is currently being piloted in select schools in the London area. Due to highly satisfying initial results, there are plans to deploy Click to Meet to all 2,600 London schools by 2006.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1756
FINANCIALS / MERGERS / CORPORATE
Discovery Communications, Inc. Announces Discovery Education, New Business Initiative
(Discovery Communications, Inc., March 18, 2004)
Discovery Communications, Inc. announced today the formation of a new business initiative, Discovery Education. Discovery Education will combine the newly acquired United Learning, Inc. and the existing in-school activities of Discovery Channel School, positioning Discovery as the market leader in video based learning.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1757Scholastic Reports Third Quarter Financial Results (Scholastic Corporation, March 16, 2004)
Revenue increased 9% to $472.0 million from $433.7 million in the year-ago period. The Company generated an operating loss of $2.3 million for the quarter, compared to a profit of $3.9 million in the year-ago period.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1758Broad Foundation and NewSchools Venture Fund Invest in Los Angeles Charter Schools
(The Broad Foundation, March 15, 2004)
The Broad Foundation today announced an investment of up to $2.8 million in Green Dot Public Schools through NewSchools Venture Fund to develop new charter schools in Los Angeles over the next four years. The goal of this investment is to dramatically increase the number and quality of charter schools in Los Angeles.
http://www.hellerreports.com/myaccount/ViewArticle.aspx?Id=1759
Early Childhood Today
Get Results!
Reach more directors and teachers than any other Early Childhood magazine!Summer 2004 Issue Ad Closing: April 9, 2004
Contact: Michele Robinson: 212.343.6455 / mrobinson@scholastic.com
Product Announcements
SHE SNOOPS FOR SCOOPS: The Personal Side of the EdNET
By Vicki Smith BighamLucille Pacey, recently with World Education Market/Reed Midem, has launched into her next adventure in life. Last summer she accepted the position of Executive Director of a small not for profit Arts Center called Arts Umbrella, located on Granville Island, Vancouver, BC. She has been working with them fulltime now since February 1st. The center serves 30,000 kids, ages 2-19, yearly. 17,00 of these children receive arts programming in their schools free of charge, and Lucille is busy looking at the opportunities for outreach programs, the use of technology in the instruction of the arts, strategic partnerships, etc. Look for this wonderful woman at NECC this year or e-mail her now to wish her well on her new venture at lucillep@insinc.ca
Jamie Alexander is a busy guy! He has been lending his incredible tradeshow expertise to a new book on this topic for Carol Waugh’s "Books for Successful Publishers" series. He is also doing some job hunting...trust me, if you are looking to hire or outsource your tradeshow management, you need to be talking to Jamie! But most importantly, he is busy with wedding plans! He and Cindy will be married on April 4 on Don Pedro Island, Florida (on the Gulf), a small island where her retired brother lives. Jamie says it is fabulous, and it sounds that way to me! Drop him a note now to send best wishes on his upcoming marriage or to check in with him for your own business needs at jalexa1@msn.com
Bonnie Bracey was recently recognized for her Outstanding Service to Digital Equity by the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE). Bonnie has contributed so extensively to our industry through her advocacy for teachers, kids, and teacher educators and her vision for what is possible with the support of technology within and beyond the USA. The head of the United Nations' key organization for education (UNESCO), Sir John Daniel, presented Bonnie with the award at the recent SITE conference. Send Bonnie warm congratulations on this recognition and your thanks for all she has contributed to our schools and our industry at BBracey@aol.com
The MAKING IT HAPPEN team of Kathy Hurley, Deb DeVries, and Pat Walkington were making it happen again at the recent COSN Conference. Kathy and Deb were on hand to announce the latest recipients of its award which honors individuals for their commitment and innovation in supporting the learning process of students through the use of technology. Receiving the coveted Making It Happen jacket for contributions to the successful integration of technology in education in America’s K-12 schools were Daryl Ann Borel, Director of Education Grants, Beaumont Foundation of America; Christine Griftner, U.S. K-12 Channel Development Manager, Sun Microsystems; Bob Moore, Executive Director of IT Services, Blue Valley (KS) USD 229; and Steve Rappaport, Education Consultant and Chair of CoSN's Emerging Technologies Committee. We applaud this program for recognizing those who have contributed their passion and expertise to advancing the appropriate use of technology in our schools. I know you join me in congratulating these deserving Making It Happen honorees.
The award was special for all of these talented people and meant a great deal to our friend Christine. She had been distracted during the week, because her mother was very ill. Following CoSN, she headed to Florida to be with her mother and show her the pink jacket. She and her brothers from Dallas were all there over the weekend when their mother passed away. Many of you got to meet her mother last summer when she met Christine in Seattle after NECC. I wish I had! She said her mother was active in AAUW, ran a book club, was a Sunday School Superintendent and very active with UNIFEM (a UN group that supports women worldwide)... She was an elementary and Special Ed teacher in her "working years". She sounds like an exceptional woman! Let Christine know we have her in our hearts and prayers. You can send her a note at christine.griftner@sun.com
The Snoop will be headed to Miami next week for the Education Industry Investment Forum and hope to connect with many of you while I am there. Have a fabulous week - 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.
EdNET 2004
September 26-28, 2004
The Palmer House Hilton, Chicago, IllinoisThis year's EdNET program is generously sponsored by the following organizations. Add your name to the list! For more information, visit http://www.hellerreports.com/Conferences/ednet2004/sponsorinfo.aspx or call Vicki Smith Bigham at 281.866.9728.
EdNET 2004 SPONSORS
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