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Math performance in the nation’s schools has become a major concern lately. Historically low scores on national tests especially put math into the spotlight.

The lesson? Math instruction needs recalculating, as EdSurge has been covering.

But exactly how?

Charitable organizations like the Gates Foundation have expressed a desire to see more data before committing to specific plans for how to shake up math. And they’ve made significant investments to get their hands on some data.

One area that’s been hardest to figure out is which curriculum schools are using. True, state boards of education approve certain materials. But they don’t report which ones schools actually use. That makes assessing what’s going on harder.

That’s something the Center for Education Market Dynamics hopes to change. The nonprofit recently released a K-8 math curriculum database, showing the curriculum used in more than half of the country’s school districts (934 of them, to be exact).

The database should clarify control over the math publishing market, as well as insight into district math curriculum selections.

So far, reports EdWeek, the nonprofit has discovered that less than half of the districts are using “high-quality materials” shown to align with education standards. 

Moreover, while the big three publishers — Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, McGraw-Hill and Savvas (formerly Pearson) — have kept their grip on the market, it is loosening. These companies may be ceding ground to small publishers, EdWeek reports.

📰 HEADLINES

DOES HYBRID TEACHING HAVE A FUTURE? Hybrid courses that let students log in either remotely or in person boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students largely loved the flexibility, but many professors have been eager to go back to in-person only. What’s the right mix?

TUNE IN, DROP IN: For school-avoidant students, some psychologists argue that virtual school can permanently delay their development. But one social worker thinks the problem can be the physical schools themselves. Those suffering from avoidance, as one family’s struggle reveals, just want the students to engage with school and life. 

BREAKING BARRIERS: What’s holding teachers back from embracing edtech tools and tech-enabled instruction? That was the driving question behind a project designed to better understand the gap between teaching practices and tech use. Two researchers share what they learned about how edtech can be used most effectively in instruction, the barriers to adoption and the tools that can best support teachers in shifting their practices.

📢 DEALS

Sidebar, a career development company working on a group coaching program, raised $13.5 million in seed funding.

The U.S. Department of Education is awarding $13 million in grants for campus-based childcare centers at higher ed institutions. 

Slooth, which provides curriculum and online telescope feeds to schools, raised $5 million.

Concentric Educational Solutions, a student outcomes support company, raised $5 million in Series A funding.

BibliU acquired Texas Book Company, a private Texas-based publisher, for an undisclosed amount.

Sponsored by Amazon Web Services

BUILDING TRUST: Emerging technologies are transforming the education landscape, and edtech businesses face challenges in bringing their products to the market. By emphasizing data, analytics and the responsible use of AI, edtech founders can build trust with their customers and create new opportunities.

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Are you a solution provider interested in connecting with like-minded peers and fellow industry leaders to learn from each other, gain insights into industry trends, and access resources and expertise? Consider joining the EdTech Solutions Network brought to you by ISTE. Learn more and submit your application today.

🎧 ON THE PODCAST

ADMISSIONS STRESS: It’s statistically harder to get into a selective college these days, and who gets in and why can feel like a mystery. So students are turning to TikTok and other social media platforms to fill the void, in what some admissions folks call a “toxic” trend. We talked to a TikToker and an admissions counselor on how to help.

🏃 MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Edcetera, a career education company, named Denise Henderson as chief revenue officer. 

SchoolStatus, which makes attendance-taking systems, named Tim Mathison as chief financial officer.

👀 ALSO ON OUR RADAR

Utah is requiring teachers to be training in edtech tools and makes providers financially responsible for use rates in an effort for more accountability. (Hechinger Report)

Democratic lawmakers in the House are pushing for an investigation into schools’ use of surveillance tools. (The 74)

These are the most “ghoulish” edtech privacy policies, according to an edtech nonprofit. (EdWeek)

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Operations Director | Art of Problem Solving | San Diego, CA

The Operations Director will lead tactical execution of the academic year including: tracking, execution, and maintenance of yearly recurring projects, tasks, and responsibilities, such as academic year curriculum pilots.

Account Executive | Aeries Software Inc. | Remote

Aeries is looking for an Account Executive for Texas! As the Account Executive, you are an outcome-driven and self-motivated rock star focused on closing new sales in an emerging market.

Data Visualization Analyst | TalkingPoints | Remote

The Data Visualization Analyst will have the opportunity to design, implement, and maintain interactive dashboards that enable org-wide internal reporting and data-driven decision making.

Temporary Director of School Support | The Achievement Network | Trenton, NJ

We are seeking a Temporary Director of School Support (DSS) who will be responsible for coaching and developing leadership teams in a portfolio of schools both virtually and in person.

LMS Coordinator and Business Analyst | ISTE - ASCD | Remote

Learning Management Systems (LMS) Coordinator and Business Analyst. This is a unique opportunity to have a global impact on delivery of professional learning to educators during a very pivotal time.

Events

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K-12 Leaders Forum and Senior Executive Summit | November 13 |

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1EdTech's K-12 Leaders Forum brings together district and statewide academic and technology leaders reimagining education's future. Gain insights and practical strategies to transform and build trust in teaching and learning ecosystems.

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