Savvas Learning Company Acquires Outlier.org 

PARAMUS, NEW JERSEY — Savvas Learning Company, a next-generation K-12 learning solutions leader, today announced that it has acquired Outlier.org, an edtech startup that has created a portfolio of high-quality, turnkey, online college-level courses that enable high school students to earn dual credit while never having to leave their school building.  

Outlier.org combines cinematic video and charismatic professors with the best in modern, evidence-based teaching techniques to virtually transport the student to a college lecture hall. Its diverse catalog of award-winning courses in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences are taught by hand-picked, world-class instructors from NASA, MIT, Harvard, Yale, and other top institutions.  

“There’s a growing demand for dual-enrollment and dual-credit opportunities for high school students across the country,” said Bethlam Forsa, CEO of Savvas Learning Company, noting, however, that school administrators have long faced challenges when considering these programs for their students, such as limited course offerings, along with costly transportation and other logistical issues. …Read More

5 educators on what 2024 will bring to education

Key points:

Does “new year, new you” apply to K-12 education in 2024? Things are certainly changing in classrooms, schools, and districts, as edtech tools, digital learning resources, and instructional strategies evolve to meet the needs of every learner.

From cybersecurity and STEM learning to AI and professional development, every aspect of education is set to see new advances in 2024.…Read More

What is the Potential of AI in Education?

Key points:

  • The future of K-12 education with AI promises to be dynamic, adaptive, and focused on nurturing well-rounded individuals
  • Learn about the role of AI in education
  • Discover more about why AI in education is essential for learning

Unlocking boundless possibilities, AI in education promises to revolutionize learning. From personalized instruction to administrative efficiency, AI has the potential to transform traditional education models. Explore the limitless opportunities as we delve into the exciting potential of AI to shape the future of K-12 education.

What is the potential of AI in education?

The future of AI in education is multifaceted. AI can facilitate immersive learning experiences through augmented and virtual reality, enabling students to explore historical events, scientific phenomena, or architectural wonders in a dynamic and engaging manner. Additionally, AI-powered analytics can assist educators in identifying and addressing broader trends in student performance, helping to refine curriculum design and teaching methodologies. Collaborative projects can be enhanced with AI-driven tools that promote communication and teamwork skills. Furthermore, AI can contribute to the development of adaptive assessments, offering a more nuanced understanding of students’ capabilities beyond traditional testing methods.…Read More

Cybersecurity staffing shortage is districts’ top concern

Key points:

One in 3 school districts ranked lack of dedicated cybersecurity personnel as their top challenge in safeguarding schools, according to Cybersecure 2024, an annual survey from Clever that polls school administrators and offers an in-depth look at the state of cybersecurity across the U.S. K-12 landscape.

The survey of over 800 administrators, conducted in fall of 2023, illuminates the challenges and opportunities for schools in strengthening cybersecurity. …Read More

Savvas Learning Company Announces New Edition of its Leading myView Literacy Program Grounded in the Science of Reading

PARAMUS, N.J. —  Savvas Learning Company, a next-generation K-12 learning solutions leader, today introduced the new edition of myView Literacy, its leading K-5 core English Language Arts (ELA) program. Combining powerful Science of Reading-based instruction with engaging student-centered practice opportunities, myView Literacy © 2025 is designed to develop strong readers and writers, improving learning outcomes for all students.

The new edition of  myView Literacy comes at a time when the Science of Reading movement has gained national momentum, with many states now requiring the use of evidence-based strategies for teaching students to read. More and more school districts today are making it a priority to use high-quality instructional materials that not only demonstrate both efficacy and a positive impact on student achievement but also provide teachers the training and support they need to successfully implement the curriculum.

Firmly grounded in the  Science of ReadingmyView’s daily foundational-skills instruction follows an easy-to-teach sequence that’s proven to increase reading achievement and close skills gaps. Adding to the program’s exciting authentic literature and interactive resources, the new edition of myView Literacy now features an increased focus on foundational writing instruction, more student practice opportunities, and new enhancements and improved navigation for a more seamless digital teaching and learning experience.…Read More

How to Create a Culture-Conscious Campus

The Culture Conscious Campuses Model which has been approved by the Texas Education Agency commissioner as a research-based instructional model with proven results in increasing academic success for African American students as well as students from low socio-economic backgrounds, regardless of their race or ethnicity. Host Kevin Hogan talks to the author.

The computer-generated transcript is below:

Kevin Hogan…Read More

A model to reduce school shootings

Key points:

For three consecutive years, the U.S has had a record high number of school shootings, resulting in a repetitive cycle of grievances, anger, and frustration. The U.S. had 344 school shootings in 2023, which surpassed the record-breaking number of 308 school shootings in 2022 as reported by K-12 School Shooting Database.

On January 5, 2024, this past month a mass shooting occurred at  Perry Middle school in Iowa and left an 11-year-old student and the school principal dead and six other individuals wounded. The shooter, a student, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene.…Read More

Pearson’s Connections Academy Partners with HOSA–Future Health Professionals to Engage and Connect Middle and High Schoolers Early to Healthcare Careers

Columbia, Md.   Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L) and its  Connections Academy, the fully online public school program serving K-12 students for more than 20 years, announced today their partnership with  HOSA–Future Health Professionals, a career and technical student organization (CTSO), to connect middle and high school students to healthcare careers. Through the partnership, Connections Academy will introduce students to HOSA’s immersive experiences that will supercharge their explorations of hundreds of healthcare occupations. 

Students will get hands-on experience in the healthcare industry, learn about growing opportunities in healthcare careers, as well as meet like-minded students from across the globe. HOSA students develop the skills prioritized by employers, according to  Pearson’s Skills Outlook, in leadership, communication and teamwork, as well as technical skills related to specific healthcare careers. 

Their experience builds self-confidence, motivation, and enthusiasm for their future in healthcare through developing a professional network from HOSA’s collegiate and industry partners, alumni, and peers, and through participation in community service and the organization’s nearly 100 annual healthcare-related competitive events at the local, state and international levels. …Read More

GoGuardian Launches Pear Deck Learning, a Comprehensive Ecosystem of Innovative Learning Tools

LOS ANGELES (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GoGuardian, the leading company delivering proven solutions to create effective, engaging, and safer learning environments, today unveiled a unified ecosystem for its curriculum and instruction products under a new name:  Pear Deck Learning.

Available now to school districts nationwide, Pear Deck Learning offers a comprehensive ecosystem of tools for instruction, engagement, assessment, and intervention that is rooted in learning science and designed to help K-12 classrooms — teachers and students alike — achieve their full potential.

Pear Deck Learning is introduced at a time when educators are seeking ways to close pandemic-related learning gaps while leveraging educational technologies to save time, support planning, and better enable the most important part of their work: driving positive learning outcomes. In a recent nationally representative survey1, one out of four educators expressed difficulty connecting data points from different edtech tools to form actionable insights. Pear Deck Learning solves this by delivering an ecosystem of integrated tools for a dynamic and enriching classroom experience.…Read More

Bluum Launches Innovative Esports, STEAM, and Security Solutions

PHOENIX, Ariz. — At its recent Impact 2024 conference, Bluum, a leading provider of education technology, unveiled five new solutions designed to address the biggest challenges in education today. The latest customizable selections of hardware, software, and services from Bluum aim to help educators increase and improve enrollment, keep schools safe and informed, and deliver curriculum innovation for K-12 and higher education.

“Bluum is on a never-ending mission to help improve learning and access to education,” said Bluum CRO Scott Pintsopoulos. “With the new solutions we unveiled at Impact 2024, we are poised to partner with educational institutions to solve some of the toughest challenges facing teachers and learners today.”

Bluum’s diverse range of new offerings include best in class brands addressing everything from stem to school safety.…Read More