- Unparalleled Blend of Discovery Education’s Digital Resources and Professional Learning Services to Power School System’s Movement to More Personalized Learning Environments -
Silver Spring, Md. (August 20, 2018) – Michigan’s Van Buren Public Schools (VBPS) today announced it has finalized a new partnership with Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms. This new collaboration will power the district’s movement to 1:1 learning by providing the dynamic digital content and sustained professional development educators need to make students’ devices come alive as powerful learning tools.
VBPS’s mission, as articulated in the district’s 2017-2022 Strategic Plan, is “To provide a high-quality, dynamic education that empowers every student to reach their full potential.” To achieve this goal, the district has identified five major strategic focus areas: Student Achievement, Technology, Facilities/Operations, Learning Environment, and Communications. VBPS’s new partnership with Discovery Education supports the school systems’ efforts to accelerate student achievement, utilize innovative technologies to support teaching and learning, and create dynamic, digital learning environments that mirror students’ experiences with technology outside the classroom.
The Discovery Education resources powering VBPS’s 1:1 initiative include the award-winning Math Techbook, which will be used by teachers and students in grades 5-8. A digital textbook that connects students to math through real-world problems, the Math Techbook helps all learners develop long-lasting mastery of mathematical concepts. In 2017, Math Techbook was independently verified by EdReports.org to meet the highest levels of mathematical content and pedagogy. The Math Techbook will be delivered to students through Chromebooks as part of the school district’s one-to-one strategy, creating dynamic digital learning environments that drive higher student engagement.
To support the integration of the new devices and digital content in grades 7-12, educators teaching those grades will participate in Discovery Education’s Digital Leader Corp professional learning model. Featuring a unique combination of professional learning, pedagogy, and tools, Digital Leader Corps offers participating educators proven approaches to integrating educational technologies and digital media into classroom instruction. These approaches are then practiced in educator created, student-centered Learning Labs. In these labs, teachers practice and adapt their new skills in a classroom setting before sharing their successes broadly with their colleagues. The Digital Leader Corps program provides teachers continuous customized, job-embedded consultation, with on-going modeling, coaching, and feedback from Discovery Education experts in the pre-planning, stakeholder communications, and implementation phases.
“The Van Buren Public Schools’ shift to a 1:1 learning environment that puts a device in the hands of each student represents a tremendous investment,” said Peter Kudlak, Van Buren Public Schools Superintendent. “To fully realize the return on this investment, we need to power those devices with the highest quality content and make sure our educators are prepared to evolve their instruction. Discovery Education is the right partner for those two important jobs, and we look forward to working with them on this initiative.”
Throughout this partnership, VBPS’s educators will be supported by the Discovery Education Community. A global community of education professionals, the Discovery Education Community connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable networking, idea sharing and inspiration.
“The entire team at Discovery Education is excited to support the Van Buren Public Schools as they make the shift to dynamic digital learning environments,” said Discovery Education Partnership Manager Alissa McLean, M.Ed. “Superintendent Kudlak and his gifted team of administrators and teachers have created great plan to make this transition, and we look forward to supporting them in this effort.”
For more information about Discovery Education’s digital resources and professional learning services, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Facebook, follow us on Twitter at @DiscoveryEd, or find us on Instagram and Pinterest.
###
About Discovery Education
As the global leader in standards-based digital content for K-12 classrooms worldwide, Discovery Education is transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content, professional learning, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Serving 4.5 million educators and over 50 million students, Discovery Education’s services are available in approximately half of U.S. classrooms, 50 percent of all primary schools in the UK, and more than 50 countries around the globe. Inspired by the global media company Discovery Inc., Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that increase academic achievement. Explore the future of education at DiscoveryEducation.com.
