EdTech https://edgate.com/ en EdGate’s BETT UK 2025 Recap https://edgate.com/blog/bett-2025-recap <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">EdGate’s BETT UK 2025 Recap</span> <div class="field field--name-field-taxonomy-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/14" hreflang="en">EdTech</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/11" hreflang="en">Hot Topic</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/6" hreflang="en">Top Stories</a></div> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="/user/2" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">sschuller</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Thu, 02/05/2026 - 13:45</span> <div class="field field--name-field-page-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">EdGate’s BETT UK 2025 Recap</div> <div class="field field--name-field-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item">February 05 2026</div> <div class="field field--name-field-header-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/blog_banner_style/public/2026-02/bett-2025-banner.png?itok=9Orb11QP" width="1280" height="330" alt="Bett UK 2025" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-fluid image-style-blog-banner-style" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author field--type-string field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Author</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item">Gina Faulk</div> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2>No, this is not a rock concert</h2> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-6"> <p>Walking into the BETT arena, you had to pause and wonder whether you were about to witness the grand entrance of a storied musician—or maybe a Hollywood superstar. But no. It was something even better. Hundreds of educators, EdTech companies, publishers, and just as many parents (like me) still trying to wrap their heads around “new math” were buzzing with excitement for <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/khanacademy/" target="_blank">Sal Khan</a>—speaking in person.</p> <h3>That’s the magic of BETT. </h3> <p>The everyday work of educators and EdTech professionals is elevated into something genuinely exciting, inspiring, and forward-looking. Sal Khan was one of many standout speakers at the BETT 2026 conference in London, held January 21–23. During his session, attendees learned about <a href="https://www.khanacademy.org/" target="_blank">Khan Academy’s</a> new AI writing coach, powered by Google’s Gemini, which provides real-time feedback to help improve literacy skills.</p> </div> <div class="col-md-6"> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yhnCxNcJn50?rel=0&autoplay=1&mute=1" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> <p>Over at the Microsoft booth, crowds of educators and EdTech leaders gathered as <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/miketholfsen/" target="_blank">Mike Tholfsen</a> unveiled a wide range of <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education" target="_blank">Microsoft EDU</a> updates. One announcement was particularly close to EdGate’s heart: the ability for Microsoft EDU users to align instructional materials to standards. EdGate is thrilled to be supplying Microsoft with thousands of education standards from 50 countries—with even more on the way. Using EdGate-supplied standards, Microsoft EDU users can leverage the <a href="https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/educationblog/what%E2%80%99s-new-in-microsoft-edu-bett-edition-january-2026/4485405" target="_blank">Align to Standards</a> tool to rewrite lesson instructions so they reflect the intent of a selected standard, focusing on what learners should understand or be able to do, without copying the standard’s wording.</p> <p>At the <a href="https://kahoot.it/" target="_blank">Kahoot!</a> stand, it quickly became clear that it’s not just the adorable capes driving teacher and student enthusiasm. <a href="https://kahoot.com/blog/2026/01/20/discover-kahoots-latest-learning-innovations-at-bett-uk-2026/" target="_blank">Kahoot! announced</a> the addition of U.S. curriculum standards—also powered by EdGate. These include standards for all 50 states, Common Core State Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and ISTE standards across Math, English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. Educators with a Kahoot EDU! school or district license can now assign relevant standards directly to their kahoots.</p> <p><a href="https://seesaw.com/" target="_blank">Seesaw Learning’s</a> booth was equally buzzy, with educators from around the world sharing how they support inclusive education through adaptive teaching and multimodal tools. And of course, educators can align learning using <a href="https://seesaw.com/alignment/" target="_blank">Seesaw’s standards and curriculum alignment tools,</a> supported by EdGate.</p> <p><img src="https://edgate.com/themes/custom/ecs/images/landing-pages/countries.png"></p> <p>Finally, one of the most valuable aspects of BETT is the strong presence of Ministries of Education from around the globe. This year, we met with standards experts from Qatar, the UAE, Italy, France, India, Hungary, Korea, Spain, Ukraine, and Lebanon. Access to up-to-date international learning standards is critical for our clients, and BETT offers something no web search can replicate: direct conversations with the experts shaping those standards.</p> <h3>Until next year, BETT!</h3> </div> Thu, 05 Feb 2026 21:45:30 +0000 sschuller 438 at https://edgate.com Webinar Recap: Paradigm Shift https://edgate.com/blog/paradigm-shift-webinar-recap <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Webinar Recap: Paradigm Shift</span> <div class="field field--name-field-taxonomy-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/14" hreflang="en">EdTech</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1" hreflang="en">CTE</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/11" hreflang="en">Hot Topic</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/6" hreflang="en">Top Stories</a></div> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="/user/2" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">sschuller</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Thu, 02/05/2026 - 13:38</span> <div class="field field--name-field-page-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Webinar Recap: Paradigm Shift — States Redefining Standards &amp; the Skills of the Future</div> <div class="field field--name-field-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item">February 05 2026</div> <div class="field field--name-field-header-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/blog_banner_style/public/2026-02/paradigm-shift-banner.png?itok=7qQYVE9r" width="1280" height="330" alt="US map" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-fluid image-style-blog-banner-style" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author field--type-string field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Author</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item">Rich Portelance</div> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>EdGate closed out Q4 with a <strong>record‑breaking webinar</strong> that brought together state leaders, policy experts, and education innovators to explore a critical question facing the industry:</p> <p><strong>How are states redefining standards—and what does that mean for the skills students need for the future?</strong></p> <p>Moderated by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rportelance/" target="_blank"><strong>Richard Portelance</strong></a>, the session highlighted the growing shift from static standards and surface‑level alignment toward <strong>future‑ready, skills‑driven frameworks</strong> that better reflect workforce, postsecondary, and real‑world demands.</p> <h2>A Clear Paradigm Shift in Standards and Skills</h2> <p>Across states, standards are no longer viewed as fixed documents updated once every decade. Panelists emphasized that today’s standards are:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Evolving more frequently</strong> to reflect workforce and economic realities</li> <li>Increasingly focused on <strong>transferable skills</strong>, not just academic content</li> <li>Expected to connect instruction to <strong>real‑world application</strong></li> </ul> <p>This shift is creating new pressures for states, publishers, and EdTech providers alike—particularly when instructional materials, data systems, and alignment processes were built for a slower pace of change.</p> <h2>Panel Insights: Perspectives from Policy, Practice, and Technology</h2> <h3>State‑Level Realities</h3> <p>From a state perspective, <strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/keven-ellis-7a1a859b/" target="_blank">Keven Ellis</a> (Texas State Board of Education)</strong> shared how standards, accountability, and instructional expectations must balance rigor with flexibility. As standards expand to include skills such as problem solving, data literacy, and digital readiness, states need clearer visibility into how instructional materials truly support those outcomes.</p> <h3>Policy and Market Alignment</h3> <p><strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hknudsonrinaldi/" target="_blank">Hillary Rinaldi</a> (Whiteboard Advisors)</strong> highlighted how shifts in standards ripple through adoption cycles, procurement decisions, and product strategy. She emphasized that alignment is no longer just a compliance exercise—it has become a <strong>strategic differentiator</strong> for publishers and solution providers navigating competitive and rapidly changing markets.</p> <h3>Instructional Practice and Student Readiness</h3> <p><strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaomasta/" target="_blank">Lisa O'Masta</a> (Learning.com)</strong> underscored how skills such as digital literacy, AI awareness, and career readiness increasingly intersect with academic standards. Her perspective reinforced that future‑ready alignment must account for how skills are taught, practiced, and assessed in real classrooms—not just how they appear on paper.</p> <h2>The Role of Data and Metadata in Future‑Ready Alignment</h2> <p>A recurring theme throughout the webinar was the importance of <strong>structured data and clean metadata</strong>. As standards grow more complex, organizations can no longer rely on manual or static alignment processes.</p> <p>Panelists discussed the need for:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Machine‑readable standards data</strong></li> <li>Alignment systems that can <strong>adapt as standards change</strong></li> <li>Greater transparency into how content supports specific skills and outcomes</li> </ul> <p>Without these foundations, even high‑quality instructional materials risk becoming misaligned as expectations evolve.</p> <h2>What This Means for Education Providers</h2> <p>The webinar made one point clear: <strong>future‑ready alignment is no longer optional</strong>.</p> <p>Publishers, EdTech providers, and curriculum teams must be prepared to:</p> <ul> <li>Move beyond simple correlations to capture <strong>intent and skill development</strong></li> <li>Support state and district decision‑making with <strong>clear, trustworthy alignment data</strong></li> <li>Future‑proof their content and platforms against ongoing standards change</li> </ul> <div class="members-sec-wrap"> <div class="row members-join-us-sec" style="padding: 40px;"> <div class="col-md-7"> <p>If you’d like to revisit the full discussion, you can watch the complete webinar recording.</p> </div> <div class="col-md-5"> <a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4117678210682/WN_d6dp5DJVTKe07XXyPhiZkw" target="_blank" class="btn-edgate-type-two right-arrow" style="margin: 20px 0px; width: 350px;">Watch Now</a> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Looking Ahead</h2> <p>Building on the momentum of this discussion, EdGate announced its next webinar focused on <strong>future‑proofing curriculum through future‑ready alignments</strong>, including the role of automation, structured data, and scalable alignment systems.</p> <p>As states continue redefining what students need to know and be able to do, one thing is certain: <strong>alignment must evolve just as quickly as standards themselves</strong>.</p> <p>Please join us on <a href="https://www.edgate.com/webinars/paradigm-shift-dec-17-2025#register"><strong>March 25th</strong></a><a href="https://www.edgate.com/webinars/paradigm-shift-dec-17-2025#register"> as we evolve the conversation further</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Thank you to our panelists and attendees for making this our most well‑attended webinar yet. Stay tuned for upcoming conversations on how education organizations can stay aligned, agile, and future‑ready.</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> Thu, 05 Feb 2026 21:38:46 +0000 sschuller 435 at https://edgate.com Building Future-Ready Learners for College, Career, and Life https://edgate.com/blog/building-future-ready-learners <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Building Future-Ready Learners for College, Career, and Life</span> <div class="field field--name-field-taxonomy-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/14" hreflang="en">EdTech</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/11" hreflang="en">Hot Topic</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/5" hreflang="en">State Highlight</a></div> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="/user/2" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">sschuller</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Tue, 11/11/2025 - 13:12</span> <div class="field field--name-field-page-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Texas Leads the Way: Building Future-Ready Learners for College, Career, and Life</div> <div class="field field--name-field-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item">November 11 2025</div> <div class="field field--name-field-header-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/blog_banner_style/public/2025-11/Texas-classroom.png?itok=HuJLEE6H" width="1280" height="330" alt="Three teenagers looking at the camera" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-fluid image-style-blog-banner-style" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author field--type-string field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Author</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item">Rich Portelance</div> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>In the latest episode of <em>EdGate Powers Education</em>, host <strong>Rich Portelance</strong> welcomed <strong>Keven Ellis</strong>, Member and former Chair of the <strong>Texas State Board of Education</strong>, to explore how Texas is reimagining student success through aligned policy, innovation, and accountability.</p> <h2>A Statewide Vision: Talent Strong Texas</h2> <p>Texas has set an ambitious goal — to ensure every learner, from kindergarten through adulthood, is prepared for <em>college, career, or military service</em>. The <strong>Talent Strong Texas</strong> initiative expands on the state’s original “60x30” goal, now aiming for Texans aged 25–64 to hold credentials of value by 2030.</p> <p>This work is powered by the <strong>Tri-Agency Coalition</strong>, uniting the Texas Education Agency (TEA), Higher Education Coordinating Board, and Texas Workforce Commission to create coherent pathways from education to employment.</p> <h2>Evolving Standards and Skills</h2> <p>Ellis discussed how the State Board of Education shapes curriculum standards through the <strong>Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)</strong>, which now emphasize critical thinking, communication, and adaptability. Texas has also introduced K–12 character traits such as citizenship, perseverance, and responsibility — reinforcing the importance of developing both intellect and integrity.</p> <h2>Transforming Assessment and Accountability</h2> <p>Texas is replacing the STAAR test with the <strong>Student Success Tool (SST)</strong> — adaptive, shorter, and more frequent assessments that provide real-time feedback to educators. This shift, Ellis explained, reflects Texas’s ongoing effort to make assessments more meaningful and actionable.</p> <p>Additionally, updates to <strong>College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR)</strong> metrics ensure that industry certifications and dual credit opportunities align with high-value, high-wage careers.</p> <h2>Empowering Teachers and Local Control</h2> <p>Teacher quality remains central to the state’s strategy. With the <strong>Teacher Incentive Allotment</strong> and expanded certification pathways, Texas is creating opportunities for educators to advance into six-figure roles while improving retention. The <strong>Districts of Innovation</strong> model gives local ISDs flexibility over calendars, contracts, and instructional design, fostering creativity within a framework of accountability.</p> <h2>Connecting Education to Industry</h2> <p>Through the <strong>Texas Regional Pathway Network</strong>, schools and regional partners align programs with workforce demand, ensuring students gain credentials that matter in the local economy.</p> <h2>Technology, Math, and the Future of Learning</h2> <p>While embracing AI and digital learning tools, Ellis emphasized the importance of balancing fluency with conceptual understanding. A recent law also directs districts to place the top 40% of fifth-grade math students on a path to complete Algebra I by eighth grade — advancing academic rigor and readiness.</p> <h2>A Shared Commitment to Students</h2> <p>For Ellis, the key to Texas’s success lies in the collaboration among educators, policymakers, and communities — all dedicated to preparing 5.5 million students for the opportunities ahead. “Vision statements don’t teach children,” he said. “Teachers do — and the students are worth it.”</p> <p>Listen to the full conversation on the <a href="https://youtu.be/MYF0MFsY_xo" target="_blank"><em>EdGate Powers Education</em> podcast</a>, and join us for the upcoming <a href="/webinars/paradigm-shift-dec-17-2025"><strong>December 17 webinar</strong></a> featuring Keven Ellis, Hillary Knudson, and Lisa O'Masta.</p> </div> Tue, 11 Nov 2025 21:12:08 +0000 sschuller 431 at https://edgate.com Insights from Hillary Knudson on Portraits of a Graduate https://edgate.com/blog/insights-from-hillary-knudson <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Insights from Hillary Knudson on Portraits of a Graduate</span> <div class="field field--name-field-taxonomy-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/14" hreflang="en">EdTech</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/11" hreflang="en">Hot Topic</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/6" hreflang="en">Top Stories</a></div> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="/user/2" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">sschuller</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Tue, 11/04/2025 - 08:26</span> <div class="field field--name-field-page-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Building the Future-Ready Learner: Insights from Hillary Knudson on Portraits of a Graduate</div> <div class="field field--name-field-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item">November 04 2025</div> <div class="field field--name-field-header-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/blog_banner_style/public/2025-11/future-ready-lg.png?itok=s-Tm2AWc" width="1280" height="330" alt="Image of a child staring at digital lines of code" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-fluid image-style-blog-banner-style" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author field--type-string field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Author</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item">Rich Portelance</div> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>In the latest episode of <em>EdGate Powers Education</em>, host <strong>Rich Portelance</strong> spoke with <strong>Hillary Knudson</strong>, Vice President at <strong>Whiteboard Advisors</strong>, about how states are redefining what it means to be “ready” for the future.</p> <p>Knudson explained that the <em>Portrait of a Graduate</em> movement emerged from clear feedback from employers: academic skills alone don’t ensure success. Students also need durable skills — communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and adaptability — that carry them through college, career, and life.</p> <div class="row" style="margin: 20px 0px;"> <div class="col-md-3"><img src="https://www.edgate.com/themes/custom/ecs/images/landing-pages/states-leading-the-way.png"></div> <div class="col-md-9"> <h3>States Leading the Way</h3> <p>Knudson highlighted examples from <strong>Kentucky</strong>, which integrated its Portrait of a Graduate through the <em>United We Learn</em> initiative, and <strong>Indiana</strong>, which connects its <em>Graduates Prepared to Succeed</em> framework to real employment data through a statewide dashboard. These states, she said, are demonstrating how frameworks become meaningful when they are embedded in existing systems — not standalone policies.</p></div> </div> <div class="row" style="margin: 20px 0px;"> <div class="col-md-3"><img src="https://www.edgate.com/themes/custom/ecs/images/landing-pages/role-of-ai.png"></div> <div class="col-md-9"> <h3>The Role of AI and Emerging Competencies</h3> <p>As technology transforms the workforce, several states are now including digital literacy and AI competency in their portraits. Knudson emphasized that the goal is to make AI an <em>additive</em> part of learning — supporting creativity and problem-solving rather than replacing them.</p> </div> </div> <div class="row" style="margin: 20px 0px;"> <div class="col-md-3"><img src="https://www.edgate.com/themes/custom/ecs/images/landing-pages/balancing-standards.png"></div> <div class="col-md-9"> <h3>Balancing Standards and Implementation</h3> <p>Aligning academic and CTE standards with durable skills is key to keeping high school learning relevant. However, Knudson cautioned that implementation must not add to teachers’ workloads. Instead, these skills should be integrated naturally through high-quality curriculum and instruction that already promote collaboration and critical thinking.</p> </div> </div> <div class="row" style="margin: 20px 0px;"> <div class="col-md-3"><img src="https://www.edgate.com/themes/custom/ecs/images/landing-pages/future-ready-skills.png"></div> <div class="col-md-9"> <h3>Assessing Future-Ready Skills</h3> <p>One of the biggest challenges is assessing these competencies meaningfully. Knudson pointed to initiatives like the <em>Skills for the Future</em> pilot — a multi-state effort involving ETS, Carnegie, and the XQ Institute — as promising models for evaluating non-academic learning outcomes.</p> </div> </div> <div class="row" style="margin: 20px 0px;"> <div class="col-md-3"><img src="https://www.edgate.com/themes/custom/ecs/images/landing-pages/equity-life-long.png"></div> <div class="col-md-9"> <h3>Equity and Lifelong Readiness</h3> <p>Equity remains central to the Portrait of a Graduate framework. Knudson emphasized that durable skills should be developed from early grades through high school, ensuring every learner has access to meaningful, future-ready opportunities.</p> </div> </div> <h2>Looking Ahead</h2> <p>Rich Portelance closed the episode with an invitation to the upcoming <strong>December 17 webinar</strong>, where Knudson will join Keven Ellis, Member of the Texas State Board of Education, and Lisa O’Masta, CEO of Learning.com, to explore how these frameworks are evolving — and how states, educators, and EdTech partners can align to support them.</p> <p>Listen to the full episode on the <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWtiSnQRV9E" target="_blank">EdGate Powers Education</a></em> podcast.</p> <p><strong><a href="/webinars/paradigm-shift-dec-17-2025">Read more and register</a> for the December 17 webinar.</strong></p> </div> Tue, 04 Nov 2025 16:26:31 +0000 sschuller 430 at https://edgate.com Insights from Jill Pierce on the EdGate Powers Podcast https://edgate.com/blog/q3-jill-pierce-insights <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Insights from Jill Pierce on the EdGate Powers Podcast</span> <div class="field field--name-field-taxonomy-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/8" hreflang="en">Client Solution</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/14" hreflang="en">EdTech</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/9" hreflang="en">EdGate Services</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/11" hreflang="en">Hot Topic</a></div> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="/user/218" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">bford</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Wed, 08/20/2025 - 11:09</span> <div class="field field--name-field-page-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">How Schools Evaluate New EdTech: Insights from Jill Pierce on the EdGate Powers Podcast</div> <div class="field field--name-field-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item">August 20 2025</div> <div class="field field--name-field-header-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/blog_banner_style/public/2025-08/Q3%20Jill%20Pierce%20Article%202.png?itok=XlOIYvxf" width="1280" height="330" alt="Young student in red hoodie using a laptop for online learning" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-fluid image-style-blog-banner-style" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author field--type-string field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Author</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item">Rich Portelance</div> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The most recent EdGate Powers podcast features a highly engaging episode featuring </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jipierce" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Jill Pierce</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, Executive Director of the Tennessee Educational Technology Association. With more than 30 years of expertise on <strong>how schools evaluate and adopt new education technology (EdTech)</strong> in today’s fast-changing landscape.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Her key message: <strong>EdTech adoption is more rigorous than ever before.</strong> Schools are taking a strategic, data-driven approach, carefully weighing interoperability, cybersecurity, legislative compliance, and the role of AI in education before making purchasing decisions. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <h2><span><span><span><strong><span><span>The Evolving Process of EdTech Adoption in Schools</span></span></strong></span></span></span></h2> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>School districts are no longer rushing into buying the “latest tool.” Instead, they are using a structured school technology evaluation checklist to ensure every product directly supports district priorities and integrates with existing infrastructure.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Jill highlighted an important distinction:</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <li><strong>Instructional technology</strong> - Products that directly impact student learning and outcomes.<br><br></li> <li><strong>Operational technology</strong> - Tools that streamline administrative or support services.<br><br></li> </ul> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>For both categories, the first step is identifying a clear need. Vendors who approach districts without aligning to strategic goals risk losing valuable opportunities.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <h2><span><span><span><strong><span><span>The School Technology Evaluation Checklist Every Vendor Should Know</span></span></strong></span></span></span></h2> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Jill outlined the criteria that districts use to assess new products. For EdTech vendors, these represent <strong>must-have answers</strong> when presenting solutions:</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <li><strong>Alignment to Strategic Plans</strong> – Does the product support the district’s goals for student success and operational efficiency?<br><br></li> <li><strong>Interoperability in Education Technology</strong> – Can the tool integrate smoothly with student information systems and existing platforms?<br><br></li> <li><strong>Cybersecurity in Schools</strong> – How does the product protect sensitive student data, respond to breaches, and ensure compliance with privacy laws?<br><br></li> <li><strong>Data Privacy in EdTech</strong> – What information is collected, and how is it stored and secured?<br><br></li> <li><strong>User Experience</strong> – Is the platform intuitive, easy to train on, and supportive of teacher adoption?<br><br></li> <li><strong>Legislative Compliance</strong> – Does the product meet current and upcoming state and federal requirements, including those related to AI in education?<br><br></li> </ul> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Districts aren’t looking for the cheapest tool. As Jill explained, schools aim for the <em>“lowest and best”</em> value—prioritizing effective integration, training, and vendor support over cost alone.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <h2><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Why Cybersecurity and Interoperability Are Top Priorities</span></span></strong></span></span></span></h2> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>With most school users under 18, <strong>cybersecurity</strong> in education is not optional—it’s essential. Districts require vendors to clearly explain how they secure student and staff data, prevent intrusions, and remain compliant with strict data privacy regulations.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Equally important is <strong>interoperability in education technology.</strong> Teachers and staff need a seamless ecosystem, not a cluttered set of disconnected apps. Districts value solutions that unify access and simplify workflows, reducing frustration while improving efficiency.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <h2><span><span><span><strong><span><span>The Role of Legislation and AI in Education</span></span></strong></span></span></span></h2> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Jill cautioned vendors that ignoring state-specific <strong>EdTech legislation</strong> can derail even the strongest product. From wireless device rules to evolving <strong>AI in education laws</strong>, compliance is now a cornerstone of school technology adoption.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>On AI, Jill explained that while artificial intelligence has long existed in basic educational tools, new frameworks are emerging to regulate its instructional use. Vendors must be transparent about:</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <li>What data AI systems collect and process<br><br></li> <li>How AI integrates with existing school platforms<br><br></li> <li>How student and employee privacy is protected<br><br></li> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Without clear answers, districts may hesitate to adopt even innovative AI-powered tools.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <h2><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Building Successful EdTech Partnerships with Schools</span></span></strong></span></span></span></h2> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Jill’s closing message centered on <strong>fidelity</strong>– ensuring that technology implementations are not only purchased but also planned, resourced, and executed in alignment with strategic district goals.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>For EdTech vendors, this means:</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <li>Taking the time to understand district needs.<br><br></li> <li>Demonstrating strong commitments to privacy, cybersecurity, and compliance.<br><br></li> <li>Delivering solutions that are easy to integrate and simple to use.<br><br></li> <li>Acting as long-term partners in student success, not just product providers<br><br></li> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><strong>Listen to the </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n-TkTZqdog" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>full episode</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> of the <em>EdGate Powers Podcast</strong></em> to hear Jill Pierce’s complete insights on EdTech adoption, AI in education, and how schools are shaping the future of instructional technology.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p></div> Wed, 20 Aug 2025 18:09:45 +0000 bford 406 at https://edgate.com Smartphone Bans & HQIM: Why Alignment Matters https://edgate.com/blog/smartphone-ban-alignment <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Smartphone Bans &amp; HQIM: Why Alignment Matters</span> <div class="field field--name-field-taxonomy-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/14" hreflang="en">EdTech</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/11" hreflang="en">Hot Topic</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/5" hreflang="en">State Highlight</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/7" hreflang="en">Teaching Trends</a></div> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="/user/218" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">bford</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 08/11/2025 - 13:25</span> <div class="field field--name-field-page-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Statewide Smartphone Bans &amp; High-Quality Instruction: Why Alignment Matters</div> <div class="field field--name-field-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item">August 11 2025</div> <div class="field field--name-field-header-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/blog_banner_style/public/2025-08/What%E2%80%99s%20Next%20for%20STAAR_%20Texas%20Testing%20Reform%20on%20Hold%20for%20Now%20%281%29.png?itok=JxQhcSgn" width="1280" height="330" alt="Student playing on phone while a teacher is writing on a blackboard." typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-fluid image-style-blog-banner-style" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author field--type-string field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Author</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item">Bryan Ford</div> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Upcoming Statewide Classroom Cell Phone Bans</span></span></strong></span></span></span></h2> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Since the arrival of smartphones in classrooms, schools worldwide have grappled with how to reduce their impact on student learning and academic benchmarks. This past year, many states have begun taking decisive action against student-owned smart devices, with certain states, such as </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/distraction-free-schools-governor-hochul-announces-new-york-become-largest-state-nation" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>New York, soon requiring bell-to-bell restrictions statewide</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>. Several states’ smart device bans, including those in Texas, Utah, and North Dakota, are poised to take effect by the beginning of the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. States such as California and Colorado will begin enforcing their bans by the 2026-2027 school year.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Some stakeholders view these actions as too strong a step in the wrong direction, noting that many specialized learning tools rely on students using their own devices. Others have claimed this to be a necessary step forward in changing classroom culture for the better. While creating aligned, high-quality educational content is undoubtedly valuable, it is just one part of a bigger equation involving classroom culture and policy – one that EdGate is here and ready to help you navigate.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <h2><span><span><span><strong><span><span>How High-Quality Instructional Materials and Classroom Culture Intersect</span></span></strong></span></span></span></h2> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, investments in K-12 education funding have increased significantly, largely due to billions of dollars in federal pandemic relief aid. With these newly available funds, </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/2025/01/15/covid-aid-helped-schools-fix-buildings-buy-curriculum-report-shows" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>thousands of districts across the United States</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> have been able to adopt and reform curricula, as well as obtain high-quality instructional materials, tools, and devices aligned to state education standards. This unprecedented funding has been instrumental in enabling schools to meet rising educational needs and has presented new opportunities for education companies. However, getting these high-quality materials to be successfully used in modern classrooms requires additional alignment and forethought.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>As classroom culture changes and schools around the United States are becoming more technology-integrated than ever, EdGate helps your product retain effectiveness and relevance. With ExACT’s many innovative tools, ensuring that your educational content is fully aligned and delivered to today’s classrooms is made simpler, regardless of the format. Automatically aligning to new standards and policies in our changing world is no longer an issue, either, as ExACT allows you and your team to fully streamline the process, keeping you ahead of the competition.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Throughout the ever-changing educational landscape, EdGate will always be here to help you adapt to any changes and challenges that arise. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Do you have any questions? Our highly experienced, <a href="https://edgate.com/contact-us">expert team</a> is always happy to discuss how we can support you and your team.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p></div> Mon, 11 Aug 2025 20:25:27 +0000 bford 405 at https://edgate.com Questions Asked Most Frequently at ASU-GSV 2025 https://edgate.com/blog/questions-asked-most-frequently-at-ASU-GSV-2025 <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Questions Asked Most Frequently at ASU-GSV 2025</span> <div class="field field--name-field-taxonomy-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/14" hreflang="en">EdTech</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/6" hreflang="en">Top Stories</a></div> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="/user/2" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">sschuller</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Tue, 05/06/2025 - 14:05</span> <div class="field field--name-field-page-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Questions Asked Most Frequently at ASU-GSV 2025</div> <div class="field field--name-field-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item">May 06 2025</div> <div class="field field--name-field-header-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/blog_banner_style/public/2025-05/asu-gsv2025.png?itok=VWZA5rm6" width="1280" height="330" alt="ASU+GSV 2025" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-fluid image-style-blog-banner-style" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author field--type-string field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Author</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item">Gina Faulk</div> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>As always ASU+GSV in San Diego was buzzy and loud, air-conditioned to a state of uncomfortableness inside, but sunny and lovely outside. Education celebrities were circulating: Arne Duncan, Sal Khan, Colin Kaepernick, will.i.am and more. Old friends who have been in EdTech and traditional K-12 educational publishing for years could be found left and right. Newer companies with exciting new AI products were prolific.</p> <h2>U.S. Secretary of Education</h2> <p>Probably the highest profile event at ASU+GSV 2025 was the Tuesday morning interview featuring Linda McMahon, U.S. Secretary of Education. As evidence of its prominence, the building was secured with limited entrances/exits, secret service was in attendance, and a small group of protesters stood outside the conference venue. As is widely known, under the direction of the U.S. President, McMahon has been tasked with preparing to shut down the U.S. Department of Education. This executive order would require an act of Congress. As part of McMahon’s mission, she vowed to “return education to the states”, as declared during her February 2025 confirmation hearing and in her speech that can now be found on the <a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/speech/secretary-mcmahon-our-departments-final-mission" target="_blank">U.S. Dept. of Ed. site.</a></p> <h2>What Does Return to the States Mean?</h2> <p>From our vantage point as the leading educational standards consulting company, EdGate has been pondering what this “return to the states” means for state curriculum standards/frameworks. Sure enough, the questions I received most often while at ASU+GSV were “What does this shift back to the states mean for learning standards?” and “Is Common Core dead?”</p> <p>It’s widely known that every state <i>already</i> has its own standards (a.k.a. competencies). So the standards can’t be returned to the states; they are already authored and managed by the states. In fact, when our team is aligning K-12 education content to standards, we tend to think of the U.S. as fifty tiny countries. Although all states have adopted learning standards that basically teach the same concepts (adding fractions, verb tenses, photosynthesis, etc.) the emphasis put on individual concepts, the way individual standards are written and published, and at which grade level concepts are introduced differs from state to state. State standards often reflect the unique history, economy, and politics of each state. This is especially evident in subject areas like Social Studies and Career and Technical Education (CTE). For instance, some states emphasize healthcare or agriculture in their CTE standards, while others focus heavily on information technology—clearly aligning with the dominant industries and workforce demands within their regional economies.</p> <p>A healthy share of companies that engage with EdGate come to us with their content already aligned to the Common Core standards. At that point, they have a good baseline to start with. After all, the Common Core State Standards were created in 2010 to establish consistent educational expectations across the fifty states, ensuring all students receive a comparable education in English language arts and mathematics. EdGate continuously links all of the state learning standards to a core taxonomy of concepts so we can take the existing Common Core alignments and map those Common Core alignments to the other 49 states. So is Common Core dead? No, but the states that have kept the Common Core verbatim are rare and after every state standard update cycle the standards become increasingly further removed from the original Common Core. Treating ELA and Math standards like social studies, where every state is bespoke, is closer to reality.</p> <h2>Helpful Resources</h2> <p>EdGate created a very useful and freely available <a href="/standards/us-comparisons">state-by-state learning standards comparison</a> visual on our website. Click on any state to see the differences between state standards and Common Core, NGSS, C3 and other widely used libraries. Check it out and see you next year at ASU+GSV!</p> </div> Tue, 06 May 2025 21:05:37 +0000 sschuller 392 at https://edgate.com What is high-quality curriculum (HQIM)? https://edgate.com/blog/what-is-high-quality-curriculum <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">What is high-quality curriculum (HQIM)?</span> <div class="field field--name-field-taxonomy-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/14" hreflang="en">EdTech</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/9" hreflang="en">EdGate Services</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/7" hreflang="en">Teaching Trends</a></div> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="/user/2" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">sschuller</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Tue, 05/06/2025 - 14:03</span> <div class="field field--name-field-page-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">What is high-quality curriculum (HQIM)?</div> <div class="field field--name-field-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item">May 06 2025</div> <div class="field field--name-field-header-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/blog_banner_style/public/2025-05/hqim-banner.png?itok=NZrRm31B" width="1280" height="330" alt="HQIM" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-fluid image-style-blog-banner-style" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author field--type-string field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Author</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item">Naomi Morton</div> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h3>First, Let’s Define Curriculum</h3> <p>In basic terms, curriculum is the what, why, and how of student learning. It encompasses the lessons and tools teachers use and the timeframe in which they are implemented. While materials terminology evolves and changes, at its core, HQIM is knowledge-rich, engaging instructional materials that develop critical and creative thinking skills, fostering deeper student learning, while realizing a range of societal demands and government policies. Materials should reflect evidence-based best practices in relevant content areas and support all types of students including English language learners, students with disabilities and students identified as gifted or talented. Texas, as an example, has specific <a href="https://tea.texas.gov/academics/instructional-materials/instructional-materials-terminology" targeet="_blank">criteria that materials must meet</a> to reach HQIM status.</p> <h3><strong>Collaborative for Student Success</strong></h3> <p>CurriculumHQ is a project of the Collaborative for Student Success whose goal is to “provide leaders with the information and examples they need to enable high-quality materials adoption and curriculum-based training in their communities.” In 2024, <a href="https://curriculumhq.org/" target="_blank">CurriculumHQ</a> conducted a comprehensive scan by state and created a map that allows viewers to explore how states and districts are using high-quality learning materials. For example, Pennsylvania utilizes the <a href="https://pdesas.org/" target="_blank">Standards Aligned System (SAS)</a> and Voluntary Model Curriculum, Indiana creates and revises a <a href="https://www.in.gov/doe/students/high-quality-curricular-materials-advisory-lists/" target="_blank"> High-Quality Curricular Materials (HQCM) advisory list</a> annually. Arkansas supports the <a href="https://aredreports.ade.arkansas.gov/" target="_blank">Arkansas Initiative for Instructional Materials (AIIM)</a>. Virginia follows a curriculum review process under the <a href="https://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching-learning-assessment/k-12-standards-instruction/english-reading-literacy/literacy/virginia-literacy-act" target="_blank">Virginia Literacy Act</a> (VLA).</p> <h3>Seven Hours Per Week</h3> <p>Sources indicate that teachers spend approximately seven hours per week searching for instructional resources, much of it from online sources and not always vetted, resulting in approximately 30% of teachers nationwide using high-quality materials consistently. Providing teachers with equitable access to HQIM and professional development support is important for the education ecosystem and helps ensure students acquire the necessary skills to be successful.</p> <p>Standards alignment is one of the most important uniting factors regarding HQIM. Implementing HQIM that is aligned to rigorous state standards leads to improved student outcomes.</p> <h3>Want to learn more about HQIM and how adoption processes vary by state?</h3> <p>Check out our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJEZLIPumvo" target="_blank">webinar on Texas adoption requirements</a> for a deep dive into one of the most structured review processes in the country. Or explore the latest updates in our <a href="/blog/florida-2025-2026-instructional-materials">blog article on Florida's 2025–2026 instructional materials timeline</a>.</p> <p><a href="/contact-us">Contact the EdGate team</a> to learn how we can support your organization with accurate standards alignment and crosswalk services across all 50 states.</p> </div> Tue, 06 May 2025 21:03:34 +0000 sschuller 391 at https://edgate.com Streamlining State-Level K-12 Curriculum Adoption https://edgate.com/blog/streamlining-state-level-K-12-curriculum-adoption-with-advanced-technology <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Streamlining State-Level K-12 Curriculum Adoption</span> <div class="field field--name-field-taxonomy-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/14" hreflang="en">EdTech</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/13" hreflang="en">ExACT</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/9" hreflang="en">EdGate Services</a></div> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="/user/2" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">sschuller</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Tue, 04/01/2025 - 15:29</span> <div class="field field--name-field-page-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Streamlining State-Level K-12 Curriculum Adoption with Advanced Technology</div> <div class="field field--name-field-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item">April 01 2025</div> <div class="field field--name-field-header-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/blog_banner_style/public/2025-04/Streamlining%20State-level.jpg?itok=k9cBtQfU" width="1280" height="330" alt="Advanced Technology" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-fluid image-style-blog-banner-style" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author field--type-string field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Author</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item">Rich Portelance</div> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>State-level K-12 curriculum adoption is a high-stakes process for EdTech companies and education publishers. If your content doesn’t align with state standards, you risk costly revisions, lost contracts, and delayed revenue. Misalignment isn’t just a minor inconvenience—it’s a direct threat to growth. EdGate is committed to providing solutions leveraging <a href="/systems/exact/advanced-technologies">advanced technology</a> that reduce cost and speed solutions without compromising quality.</p> <h2 class="text-center">The Hidden Costs of Misalignment</h2> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-4 text-center" style="padding: 0px 20px;"><p><img src="https://www.edgate.com/themes/custom/ecs/images/save-money.png"></p><p style=" font-size: 1.2rem;"><strong>Lost Revenue Opportunities</strong></p> <p>EdTech companies and publishers spend months and years developing curriculum, but when state’s reject content due to misalignment with state requirements, it means lost revenue and additional time spent on revisions.</p></div> <div class="col-md-4 text-center" style="padding: 0px 20px;"><p><img src="https://www.edgate.com/themes/custom/ecs/images/increased-cost.png"></p><p style=" font-size: 1.2rem;"><strong>Increased Operational Costs</strong></p> <p>Manual curriculum alignment is a labor-intensive process that can drain resources. Subject-matter experts, instructional designers, and compliance teams spend countless hours reviewing standards instead of innovating.</div> <div class="col-md-4 text-center" style="padding: 0px 20px;"><p><img src="https://www.edgate.com/themes/custom/ecs/images/delayed-entry.png"></p><p style=" font-size: 1.2rem;"><strong>Delayed Market Entry</strong></p> <p>Education providers that struggle with alignment take longer to enter new markets. In an industry where state adoption cycles are rigid, missing deadlines can mean waiting years for the next opportunity.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> <div class="members-sec-wrap"> <div class="row members-join-us-sec"> <div class="col-md-8"> <h3>How State-Level Curriculum Adoption Works</h3> <p>And Where It Breaks Down</p> </div> <div class="col-md-4"> <a href="https://www.edgate.com/themes/custom/ecs/images/files/how-state-level-curriculum-adoption-works.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn-edgate-type-two right-arrow" style="margin: 20px 0px; width: 350px;">View Our Infographic</a> </div> </div> </div> <h2>The Role of Advanced Technology in Streamlining the Alignment Process</h2> <p>Advanced technology, like EdGate’s <a href="/systems/exact">ExACT Standards Alignment Platform</a>, can:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Automate alignment checks</strong> to ensure content meets state standards before submission. This includes advanced reporting like Gap Analysis that outlines alignment gaps from one state to the next.<br><br></li> <li><strong>Provide real-time insights</strong> on where content falls short, reducing revision cycles. ExACT can take that information and accurately migrate the aligned resources and map to any set of standards in our repository.<br><br></li> <li><strong>Streamline approvals</strong> by creating easy-to-navigate curriculum maps for state reviewers.<br><br></li> <li><strong>Know content is aligned, while you develop it.</strong> ExACT is the only comprehensive platform that lets your team test alignments while they create classroom content. Within ExACT, they gain access to a repository of over 5.5 million enhanced academic and CTE standards, all with added metadata for discovery, and CASE GUIDs where appropriate.</li> </ul> <h2>Next Steps: How to Future-Proof Your Curriculum Strategy</h2> <p>The key to avoiding misalignment pitfalls is leveraging the right technology. On June 12, 2025, we’re hosting a <strong>live webinar</strong> on how advanced technologies, like AI, machine learning, natural language processing, advanced text analysis and data analytics and automation can streamline curriculum adoption, boost revenue, and reduce costs.</p> <p><a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/9317435494894/WN_-QDY2jmYQ-SeoA3sqkrc9w" target="_blank">Pre-Register Now</a> to gain insights from industry experts and see real-world examples of alignment success.</p> </div> Tue, 01 Apr 2025 22:29:21 +0000 sschuller 389 at https://edgate.com A Client’s View on how to Access the U.S. Education Market Successfully https://edgate.com/blog/how-to-access-the-us-education-market <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">A Client’s View on how to Access the U.S. Education Market Successfully</span> <div class="field field--name-field-taxonomy-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/14" hreflang="en">EdTech</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/9" hreflang="en">EdGate Services</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/11" hreflang="en">Hot Topic</a></div> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="/user/2" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">sschuller</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Thu, 02/20/2025 - 14:55</span> <div class="field field--name-field-page-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">A Client’s View on how to Access the U.S. Education Market Successfully</div> <div class="field field--name-field-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item">February 20 2025</div> <div class="field field--name-field-header-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/blog_banner_style/public/2025-02/webinar-2-2025.jpg?itok=bwVfKtkS" width="1280" height="330" alt="Webinar" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-fluid image-style-blog-banner-style" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author field--type-string field--label-inline clearfix"> <div class="field__label">Author</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item">Rich Portelance</div> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>This month the EdGate Powers Webinar Series takes on an international flair, as we welcome <a href="https://bookrkids.com/" target="_blank">BOOKR Kids</a> Will Gordon. BOOKR Kids is an EdTech concern out of Budapest, Hungary. They grew into the European market before hiring Will and building a plan to enter the U.S. marketplace. Early success overseas helped catalyze their U.S. entry, but they quickly realized they needed more than just a great product to reach their goals.</p> <p>Along with Will, we also welcome Mike Campbell, President of <a href="https://www.advancingglobaledu.com/" target="_blank">Advancing Global EDU</a>. Advancing Global is an educational consulting firm that prioritizes helping companies understand market trends, state and federal funding, and helping strategize innovative ways to build market share. Along with his advisory work, Mike is also in the process of launching a virtual, dual-country degree school, a project he is passionate about and will be happy to share some of the challenges he and his team have faced in getting their accreditation.</p> <a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/1017393079697/WN_lYouVVhLRDKQYj2-b6dUSQ" target="_blank" class="btn-edgate-type-two right-arrow" style=" margin: 20px 0px;">Sign Up Now</a> <p>The goal of the webinar is to uncover some of the more subtle methods and efforts needed to unlock new markets, especially those overseas. As the landscape in the U.S, continues to decentralize to state-level autonomy, businesses entering from overseas need to dig deep into each State’s legislative requirements and unique standards to meet the baseline requirements. Mike and Will are excited to draw upon their experiences to provide hard won insights and how they assimilated them into their (and clients) processes. Some of the topics we will be covering include:</p> <ul> <li>Identifying challenges unique to the U.S. market and how to address them</li> <li>How to streamline adoption processes</li> <li>The most common hurdles faced by international companies and how overcome them</li> <li>Where can you turn to streamline adoption processes and how can your team get started?</li> <li>And much more!</li> </ul> <div class="members-sec-wrap"> <div class="row members-join-us-sec"> <div class="col-md-8"> <h3>Join us February 27, 2025 at 11 AM PST, 2PM EST</h3> <p>There will be a Q&amp;A; portion, so please bring your questions!</p> </div> <div class="col-md-4"> <a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/1017393079697/WN_lYouVVhLRDKQYj2-b6dUSQ" target="_blank" class="btn-edgate-type-two right-arrow" style=" margin: 20px 0px;">Register Now</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> Thu, 20 Feb 2025 22:55:02 +0000 sschuller 387 at https://edgate.com