Discovery Communications : Connecticut’s Meriden Public Schools Continues Transition to Student-led Education Through Expanded Partnership with Discovery Education

Dynamic Digital Textbooks Help District Educators Provide Students Personalized Learning Experiences

Silver Spring, Md. (August 31, 2015) - Connecticut's Meriden Public Schools today announced an expansion of its 11-year partnership with Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms. In the latest phase of this relationship, Meriden Public Schools (MPS) is empowering middle and high school educators to increase student engagement with Discovery Education's Math, Science and Social Studies Techbooks. An award-winning digital textbook series, Discovery Education's Techbooks are transforming teaching and learning for more than one million students across 50 states and provinces in the U.S. and Canada.

In 2013, MPS embarked on an ambitious plan to transition from teacher-led instruction to student-led education and create more blended learning opportunities for students. This effort is being shaped by the school system's comprehensive educational technology plan for 2015-2020, which guides the implementation of technologies building meaningful learning experiences for students, encouraging student collaboration, and promoting flexible learning paths. Key components of the district's technology strategy include further integration of educational technology into all curriculum areas; more systematic technology-focused professional development opportunities for faculty and staff; and the exploration and implementation of additional cost-effective technology solutions.

To support this strategy, MPS has adopted BYOD guidelines district-wide and has implemented 1:1 digital environments in its high schools. In addition, beginning this school year, high school educators and students will receive access to Discovery Education's Math, Social Studies and Science Techbooks and middle school science teachers will begin integrating the Science Techbook into classroom instruction. Discovery Education's Techbooks are breakthrough digital textbooks that are aligned to rigorous standards, support a comprehensive curriculum, and are updated regularly at no cost. The series encourages all learners through interactive features that change the reading level of text and enable text to be read aloud. The Techbook series also includes professional development and saves teachers' time with a comprehensive design that places model lessons, student activities and assessments at their fingertips. Techbooks are platform neutral and can be used in 1:1 or 1-to-many configurations and in any instructional environment.

Discovery Education's Math Techbook uses a Discover, Practice, Apply inquiry-based cycle that is built on the three pillars of rigor: conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and application. Technology enhanced items and formative assessments are woven throughout the entire instructional cycle and teachers have a data dashboard to monitor student progress instantaneously. The Social Studies Techbook series uses an inquiry-based instructional approach that emphasizes informational text literacy, analytical writing and problem solving skills that students will apply in academics and as citizens. Each subject area includes primary source documents and activities, digital investigations, a multimedia reference library, interactive maps and informational texts. Utilizing an inquiry-based format built on the 5E model, the Science Techbook, through hands-on labs, digital explorations, an interactive glossary, and data analysis activities, helps teach students to read, write, and think like scientists.

"We are pleased to continue our long-term partnership with Discovery Education, as it has been at the core of our effort to build the student-centered learning environments that lead to student success in college, careers, and civic life," said Susan Moore, Supervisor of Blended Learning at Meriden Public Schools. "The addition of Discovery Education's digital textbooks and robust professional development will help our educators increase engagement, promote collaboration, and provide our students with opportunities for anytime, anywhere learning."

Meriden Public Schools' effort to advance student-centered learning is being aided, in part, by a grant from the Nellie Mae Education Foundation. Dedicated to ensuring that 80% of New England students are college and career ready by 2030, Nellie Mae's highly competitive grants have only been awarded to five school systems across New England.

To ensure each MPS teacher is fully supported in their transition to the Math, Social Studies and Science Techbooks, Discovery Education experts will provide faculty high-quality professional development supporting the integration of the digital textbook into classroom practice. In addition, the Discovery Educator Network (DEN) will continue supporting Meriden Public Schools educators in their efforts to transform students' 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 is honored to be a part of Meriden Public Schools' efforts to redesign their classrooms into dynamic blended learning environments," said Donovan Goode, director of partnerships at Discovery Education. "We look forward to continuing to support the talented Meriden team as they engage in a digital transformation that supports student-centered learning and achievement."

For more information on the Discovery Education Techbook Series or other Discovery Education services, 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, professional development, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Serving 3 million educators and over 30 million students, Discovery Education's services are in half of U.S. classrooms, over 40 percent of all primary schools the UK, and more than 50 countries. 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. Discovery Education is powered by Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world.www.discoveryeducation.com.