DISCOVERY EDUCATION EXPANDS PARTNERSHIP WITH MERIDIAN JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT #2 THROUGH NEW PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE
– Idaho School System’s Professional Development Effort Focuses on Addressing New Standards, Using Digital Content to Improve Achievement, and Developing Assessments–
October 29, 2013
Silver Spring, Md. (October 29, 2013) - Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content for K-12 classrooms, announced today it is expanding its partnership with Idaho's Meridian Joint School District #2. Through this expansion, Discovery Education will provide customized professional development that will support district teachers as they fulfill their mission to prepare today's students to meet tomorrow's challenges.
Meridian Joint School District #2's current strategic plan envisions a school system in which all employees continue to improve their skills, knowledge and instructional practices to meet the needs of all learners. To create this environment, Meridian district administrators are partnering with Discovery Education to create and implement a comprehensive professional development initiative that:
- Provides educators with a broad conceptual view of addressing the Idaho Common State Standards, assessment literacy, and using digital resources to improve instruction and achievement;
- Further develops participants' assessment literacy by increasing awareness of formative, interim and summative assessment;
- Enhances educators' ability to effectively create learning units and assessments; and
- Empowers district leaders with the tools and information to create a three-year professional development sustainability plan.
"We are excited to build on our relationship with Discovery Education," said Dr. Linda Clark, Meridian Joint School District #2 Superintendent. "When looking for professional development support, we wanted a trusted partner that knew our school system, our goals, and was aligned with our vision for success. The Discovery Education professional development team's ability to consult with our staff, determine our unique needs, and then create an effective, customized professional development solution in line with our existing work were critical factors in our decision to deepen our partnership."
Prior to this latest initiative, Meridian Joint School District #2 educators and students utilized Discovery Education Streaming Plus in classrooms district wide to create authentic digital learning environments. Discovery Education Streaming Plus provides access to more than 155,000 digital learning objects that enhance curriculum and support all subject areas and learning styles, including videos, skill builders, games, audio files, images, writing prompts and encyclopedia articles. Recently, Discovery Education Streaming Plus was enhanced with hundreds of model lessons to support educators at all levels in preparing students for college, careers and citizenship.
In addition, Meridian Joint School District #2 participated in a six-month beta test of Discovery Education's Social Studies Techbook through their relationship with Digital Promises' League of Innovative Schools. A complete digital solution that replaces traditional textbooks, Discovery Education's Social Studies Techbook features compelling video; interactive text; digital simulations and explorations; virtual and hands-on labs; and an interactive glossary with animations, audio and video.
The Discovery Educator Network (DEN) also supports Meridian Joint School District #2's educators in their efforts to transform the learning experience with digital media. A global community of education professionals, the DEN 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.
"Discovery Education and the Meridian Joint School District #2 team share the belief that ongoing, job-embedded profession development is critical to the creation of the authentic learning environments today's students need and deserve," said Susanne Thompson, vice president, Discovery Education. "We are honored to be partnering with Dr. Clark and her staff on this new initiative."
For more information about Discovery Education Streaming Plus, Discovery Education's Techbook series or other services and resources from Discovery Education, visit www.discoveryeducation.com.
About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content that supports the implementation of Common Core, professional development, assessment tools, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Available in over half of all U.S. schools, community colleges and in 50 countries around the world, Discovery Education partners with districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that accelerate academic achievement. Discovery Education is powered by Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.