Tax Guidance Relieves Some Private School Choice Supporters

usnews | December 31, 2018

CORPORATIONS WILL BE able to continue making fully tax-deductible donations to private school choice programs under guidance issued by the Treasury Department, a move that clarifies part of a proposed rule by the IRS that had sent school choice supporters – including education officials in the Trump administration – into a tailspin.The IRS had proposed limiting the federal deduction of contributions made to charitable organizations in an attempt by the White House to target a handful of states seeking a way around the limits on state and local tax deductions included in last year's tax overhaul.Overlooked at the time, however, was that the move stood to undercut the administration's own education agenda by crippling private school choice programs in dozens of states that rely on charitable donations – programs at the heart of Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos' vision for a more effective K-12 system.Private school choice proponents argue that the proposed rule from the IRS is unnecessarily broad and would reduce corporate and individual contributions that generate scholarships. They cheered the draft guidance and said they are holding out hope the similar guidance will be issued for individual contributors.

Spotlight

Learn how to install Uponor Quik Trak® wood panels in a radiant heating system. Follow along as Dan Hubbard, customer trainer with Uponor, walks through the simple steps of installing Uponor Quik Trak in a unique radiant shower installation. As the industry leader in residential and commercial radiant solutions, Uponor offers products, systems, design services, training, and technical support to help ensure a quality, high-performing system from concept to completion.

Spotlight

Learn how to install Uponor Quik Trak® wood panels in a radiant heating system. Follow along as Dan Hubbard, customer trainer with Uponor, walks through the simple steps of installing Uponor Quik Trak in a unique radiant shower installation. As the industry leader in residential and commercial radiant solutions, Uponor offers products, systems, design services, training, and technical support to help ensure a quality, high-performing system from concept to completion.

Related News

ONLINE EDUCATION

Interplay Learning Partners Warren Central High School

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.

Read More

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY, ONLINE EDUCATION

Ellucian Achieves Cloud Awards for Its Hybrid Cloud Solution

Ellucian | February 24, 2023

On February 23, 2023, Ellucian, an education technology solutions provider, announced being awarded The Cloud Awards in the Best Hybrid Cloud Solution category, recognizing it for innovation and transformation in the education sector through cloud computing solutions. Ellucian platform supports higher education institutes with innovation and support for resilience. Its integrated solutions assist faculty members and education staff in successful outcomes for students through data-driven insights. It offers in-house experts, a partner network, advanced cloud-based solutions, and capabilities. The Cloud Awards is an international program honoring innovators for organizational transformation through cloud computing. It considers small, large, start-up and established organizations worldwide for the awards. Its categories are Best SaaS, Most Promising Start-Up and "Best in Mobile" Cloud Solution. It is part of three programs: The Cloud Awards, The Cloud Security Awards and The Software-as-a-Service Awards. CTO of Ellucian, Mike Wulff, said, "Making the transition to the cloud can be daunting, requiring confidence in the technology, time, and resources." He added, "Our customers understand the advantages that come with making the change, and we are committed to working closely with higher education institutions -- offering a tailored approach that suits their specific needs. It is an honor to be awarded a 2023 Cloud Award, recognizing our efforts to provide efficient and customized hybrid cloud solutions." (Source – Cision PR Newswire) Head of Operations for The Cloud Awards, James Williams, said, "Ellucian is an admirable winner of The Cloud Awards as their solution takes the industry a step forward." He added, "There were many innovative solutions among the finalists, but Ellucian's solution stood out to the judging panel as the ultimate category winner for Best Hybrid Cloud Solution." (Source – Cision PR Newswire) About Ellucian Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Ellucian, a higher education services provider, offers solutions for SaaS, digital transformation, workflow software, document management software, talent management system, cloud services, student retention, recruitment and enrollment management software, mobile campus, higher education ERP, student information system, higher education software and services. It has been empowering colleges and universities with its cloud-based solutions since 1968. In addition, it offers professional services like management consulting, education, training, and application software implementation. It helps customers with remarkable digital transformation for a successful institution and student development.

Read More

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY

Interplay Learning Launches Technology-based Apprenticeship Program

Interplay Learning | February 16, 2023

On February 15, 2023, Interplay Learning, e-learning solutions provider for online and virtual training, launched a technology-based apprenticeship program with the Department of Labor's approval. This program solves the growing labor shortage and encourages employers in the skilled trades to join. This program allows employers to enroll as participating employers in the Department of Labor's Apprenticeship Program of Interplay Learning. It will create a trained workforce, increase employee retention, and eliminate traditional managemental complexities of formal apprenticeship programs. Employers can offer apprentices on-the-job training (OJT) with Interplay's digital training in a virtual classroom with technical instructions as a part of the program. The apprentices will have an impactful training experience with its video courses and 3D simulations. In addition, they will learn about new skills, effective troubleshooting, and practice in a virtual safe environment on any device like a laptop, desktop, tablet, or virtual reality headset. Founder and CEO of Interplay Learning, Doug Donovan, said, "We're thrilled to introduce our innovative, tech-forward approach to apprenticeship." He added, "With one of the first digital and off-the-shelf solutions for apprenticeships, we seek to eliminate the pain points existing today for employers, while also providing them with a powerful training solution to address the skills gap problem in the U.S. What has traditionally been complex and especially daunting for small and medium businesses, we have streamlined the process to set up an apprenticeship program and given contractors a tool to build a better-trained workforce." (Source – Cision PR Newswire) About Interplay Learning Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Interplay Learning, an e-learning provider, has been offering digital learning simulations for training, career opportunities and life experiences of customers and employees, across industries like plumbing, electrical, solar and facilities maintenance, and HVAC, since 2016. Its virtual reality interfaces engage skilled trades workers with life-like experiences, making them more confident, professional, and efficient quickly. It provides learning solutions from beginner to mastery level at the same time. It was awarded the AL Breakthrough Award for Best Use of Virtual Reality for Enterprise Applications, AHR Expo – Innovations Awards 2020 and named in the 2020 Inc. Best in Business list.

Read More