TALENT DEVELOPMENT
Catapult Learning | February 09, 2023
On February 8, 2023, Catapult Learning, a provider of student intervention programs and professional development solutions for instructors in K-12 schools, announced that it was chosen by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) to deliver professional development (PD) and coaching services to educators in K-12 schools to enhance student outcomes. The four-year state contract contains a one-year renewal option for a fifth year.
MDE will provide at least 25 new instructional math coaches in collaboration with Catapult Learning. The first group will serve educators in Greenwood-Leflore Consolidated School Districts and Jackson Public at seven elementary and middle schools. Throughout the year, MDE will incorporate additional schools.
Catapult Learning's experienced math coaches provide online, in-person, or job-embedded coaching, in-person modeling and co-teaching, individualized action plans, classroom observations, professional development, lesson plan development, and summer enrichment for administrators. Additionally, it provides PD for over 500 school districts annually on vital education topics such as mathematics, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), literacy and The Science of Reading, social-emotional learning, inclusive practices, and mental health.
Scalable and adaptable, the company's PD addresses the requirements of schools and districts of all sizes through online, face-to-face, and job-embedded support. PDNow, the company's online platform, offers asynchronous learning in addition to workshops and coaching, allowing educators and leaders to benefit from over 200 hours of online workshops, community interaction and just-in-time resources.
About Catapult Learning
Catapult Learning, a division of FullBloom, provides K-12 schools with experienced coaches who implement intervention programs for students and PD solutions for teachers. The company's PD services enhance the capacity of educators and administrators to increase and maintain student achievement. Its intervention programs support struggling students with individualized instruction based on their specific needs. By partnering with over 500 school districts nationwide, the company promotes academic and professional growth outcomes. Catapult Learning is accredited by Cognia and has been awarded the System of Distinction honor in 2022.
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ONLINE EDUCATION
Interplay Learning | February 22, 2023
On February 21, 2023, Interplay Learning, a solution for virtual reality and online training of the actual skilled trades, announced its partnership with Warren Central High School (WCHS) to offer advanced learning opportunities for ninth-grade students through the school's technical education system. It would assist the school's career technical education (CTE) academy program and put fast-track students' hands-on introduction to successful careers in the construction industry.
Through the partnership, it would engage ninth-grade students for the WCHS Architecture, Construction, Mechatronics and Engineering (ACME) Academy with the immersive experience of its 3D virtual-reality simulations and the training content before the actual start of the complete construction CTE program. The WCHS's official CTE programs are conducted at an offsite technical education center for students in the tenth grade and above. In addition, WCHS is allowed to share awarded funds with its virtual reality simulations for students as a part of a district-level initiative to upgrade educational infrastructure in Vicksburg.
Coach in WCHS's ACME Academy, Traci Esparza, said, "With Interplay Learning's advanced, engaging platform and content, we can introduce younger students to sophisticated training simulations a year before they enter the official CTE program." She added, "That experience means they can get more out of the ACME program immediately and throughout their education. Before implementing Interplay Learning's VR technology, younger students had limited opportunities for the hands-on experience that is so critical to CTE and skilled trades learning."
(Source – Cision PR Newswire)
Founder and CEO of Interplay Learning, Doug Donovan, said, "Interplay is committed to helping educational institutions transform the training landscape for the skilled trades industries." He added, "With our innovative training platform, the instructors and leaders at Warren Central High School can equip students with valuable experience and skills that will help them build meaningful careers and will also help business owners in Vicksburg and the surrounding area meet the evolving workforce challenges of the 21st century."
(Source – Cision PR Newswire)
About Interplay Learning
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Interplay Learning, an e-learning services provider, has been delivering effective digital learning simulations in the HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Solar and Facilities Maintenance industries since 2016. In addition, it offers solutions for professional training, 3D simulations, virtual reality, skilled Trades, 3D sims, HVAC team training and learning, solar team training, HVACR, immersive education, and facility maintenance training. It recreates life-like VR scenarios for skilled trades workers to learn in an engaging environment. Its Comersive Learning solution offers courses from beginner to master level and trains massive workers in a short time.
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EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY
Paper | March 15, 2023
On March 14, 2023, Paper, the education support system (ESS), announced the acquisition of Readlee to address the literacy crisis. It would use Readlee's innovative learning tool, artificial intelligence and speech recognition technology to improve learners' reading skills.
According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress report, about one-third of 4th and 8th graders cannot read the basic achievement level, which is the test's lowest level. The National Center for Education Statistics data shows that about 34% of American high school students graduate with reading proficiency. Unfortunately, this proficiency decreases further to 18% for recent graduates. This data shows that the literary crisis has become a systemic issue, and there is a flaw in the current educational approach.
Master teachers collaborated with Harvard researchers to design Readlee for better learning outcomes, and it would become 'Paper Reading' after complete integration into Paper's ESS. This tool will listen to students' reading, give real-time feedback with individualized support, and measure their success. With AI and speech recognition, it approaches reading through learning science, showing that reading aloud improves vocabulary, memory, and confidence. It aims to support students throughout their academic journey and after graduation.
Co-Founder and CEO of Paper, Philip Cutler said, "This acquisition reflects our commitment to providing the academic support that empowers students throughout every stage of their learning journey. Improving literacy proficiency is an essential component of our mission, and we believe research-backed technology and repeated practice are the keys to addressing the mounting literacy crisis." He added, "We are excited to join our forces and aligned missions to have an even bigger impact on students. Our teams are already working together to change the future of education. Our mission is to help create a world where everyone has the ability to read, learn, and become a success."
(Source – Cision PR Newswire)
About Paper
Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Paper, an e-learning solutions provider, offers services for personalized learning, tutoring, essay review, academic and student support, homework help, teacher support, remote education, teacher assistants, and virtual tutoring. It develops confidence in every student with its educational support system. It serves over 3 million students from different school districts across the United States and Canada. It provides individualized support to every learner to solve their problems and discover different ways of learning. It helps teachers and administrators review student activity and track their progress with its data-driven insights and metrics. It instantly connects students with tutors for support in their tests and assignments.
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