EdTech 10: October Optimism

This week President Obama announced that America’s graduation rate has reached an all-time high of 83.2 percent.
This increase reflects the important progress schools across our nation are making to better prepare today’s students for a successful future in college and careers.
Although there is much work still be done to ensure every student has access to high-quality learning opportunities, news like this makes us optimistic about the future of education.

Tune in now for @POTUS‘s education address to Banneker HS. Historic grad rate! 83.2% https://t.co/pWogyN3O04 #ReachHigher pic.twitter.com/zy5dU3O3rr

— Reach Higher (@ReachHigher) October 17, 2016

Students themselves are learning to be more optimistic – and develop their own character strengths – thanks to a partnership between Mayerson Academy, VIA Character Institute and Happify (an online gaming platform that supports social-emotional learning concepts). Learn more about this program that was  featured in EdWeek.

.@EdWeek features @MayersonAcademy Thriving w/@Happify. Schools use online gaming to promote #SEL and #Character https://t.co/T3ybBzZWZd pic.twitter.com/nmoAXN3PVy

— Mary Ryerse (@maryryerse) October 19, 2016

Check out this week’s news round-up for ten more reasons to be optimistic this October.

Let’s Get Personalized

1. Competency Based Education 101

OUTSTANDING new @knowledgeworks video on #competencyed & #personalizedlearning in plain language https://t.co/NziGc5bPxR #comped #plearn

— Carri Schneider (@CarriSchneider) October 13, 2016

You can also learn more about CBE by checking out ExcelinEd’s recent publication sharing the stories of three states who took very different paths but achieved the same goal of implementing state CBE pilot programs.
2. #PLearning in Rural America

Top o’ the morning, tweeps! Monday must read is @bellwethered‘s “Promise of Personalized Learning in Rural America” https://t.co/nXfiQxMsbc

— 50CAN (@FiftyCAN) October 17, 2016

We recently shared how leaders in rural Arkansas’ Cross Country School District are working (and succeeding) at closing the opportunity gap for students through a more personalized postsecondary selection guidance program.

Dollars & Deals

3. $4 Million for Noodle Partners

Online learning startup Noodle Partners raises $4M led by Osage Venture Partners w… via @launchticker https://t.co/4d0Gke5Deo

— SF Ali (@sfali789) October 12, 2016

Cool Schools & Tools

4. AltSchool Pilot

.@altschool will pilot platform at 3 schools next year https://t.co/oFVnKcqvEJ @hechingerreport #EdTech

— Tom Vander Ark (@tvanderark) October 18, 2016

Digital Developments

5. 2017 EdTech Symposium Announcement

Today, @JEAUVA @UVaCurry @DigitalPromise announced the selection of 150 participants for the 2017 #EdTech Symposium! https://t.co/BrWjNqT5Tw

— Jefferson Education (@JEAUVA) October 13, 2016

Are you going to iNACOL’s Blended and Online Learning Symposium next week? Join us in the VoicesHub and add your voice to our podcast! More details on that as well as information on becoming a GS and iNACOL guest blogger here.
6. New Student Work Rubrics

New SCALE-created reading and writing rubrics available from @LitDesignCollab http://ow.ly/bQCE305ioUY pic.twitter.com/0AWPwYSf6N

— Tom Vander Ark (@tvanderark) October 18, 2016

Stem Gems

7. Innovation Frontiers

@POTUS WH Frontiers Conference today- exploring future of innovation/building U.S. capacity in sci, tech, & innovation #STEM #innovation

— R&D Council of NJ (@RDCouncilNJ) October 13, 2016

Check out our smart bundle “Getting Smart on Learner-Centered STEM”  featuring one of the most innovative and high-performing STEM networks in the country.  
8. $4 Million for STEM Majors

“Place-based learning communities are changing the freshman year experience.” $4M for #STEM & #PlaceBasedEd at HSU https://t.co/4XT5XCF2tC

— Carri Schneider (@CarriSchneider) October 14, 2016

For more on Place-Based Education, check out our “Place-Based Education” blog series. To learn more and contribute a guest post for the series, check out the PBE campaign page.  Join in the conversation on social media using #PlaceBasedEd.

Policy Pieces

9. New Teacher Prep Regs

Today’s new regs help strengthen teacher prep & provide new teachers the support they need to be successful. https://t.co/TnRHmNdSR1 pic.twitter.com/04rZZGvhwb

— US Dept of Education (@usedgov) October 12, 2016

10. ESSA Assessment Systems

Under #ESSA states can redesign their current systems of #assessments to better support #teachers & #students https://t.co/2bm4qunMSu

— iNACOL (@nacol) October 14, 2016

For more, see:

• Place-based Learning, #OutsideSchoolWalls
• “Yes, but…” An ESSA Myth Buster
• Collaborative Lesson Authoring Builds Teacher Capacity, Student Literacy in Grand Prairie

Stay in-the-know with all things EdTech and innovations in learning by signing up to receive the weekly Smart Update. This post includes mentions of a Getting Smart partner. For a full list of partners, affiliate organizations and all other disclosures please see our Partner page.