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==History==
==History==
EDC is known for creating the curriculum [[Man: A Course of Study]]. The organization was founded (as Educational Services, Inc.) by [[Jerrold Zacharias]], an eminent physics professor at the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] who started the [[Physical Science Study Committee]], and is credited with developing [[PSSC Physics]] funded by the [[National Science Foundation]]. PSSC Physics focused on science as the product of experiment and theory, constructed by real people. EDC introduced it successfully in schools across the country and eventually in many parts of the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nas.edu/sputnik/lappan3.htm|title=Reflecting on Sputnik - Lappan 3|publisher=|access-date=June 14, 2016}}</ref><ref>http://www.nasonline.org/publications/biographical-memoirs/memoir-pdfs/zacharias-jerrold.pd</ref><ref>https://philanthropy.com/article/Nonprofit-Uses-Radio-for/152257</ref><ref>Norman F. Ramsey. "Jerrold R. Zacharias (1905-1986)" (PDF). National Academy of Sciences website. Retrieved 6/15/2016</ref> Zacharias is credited with changing the way physics is taught in secondary schools and many of the PSSC films are still used in classrooms today. <ref>https://www.technologyreview.com/s/607999/full-contact-physics/</ref>
EDC is known for creating the curriculum [[Man: A Course of Study]]. The organization was founded (as Educational Services, Inc.) by [[Jerrold Zacharias]], an eminent physics professor at the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] who started the [[Physical Science Study Committee]], and is credited with developing [[PSSC Physics]] funded by the [[National Science Foundation]]. PSSC Physics focused on science as the product of experiment and theory, constructed by real people. EDC introduced it successfully in schools across the country and eventually in many parts of the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nas.edu/sputnik/lappan3.htm|title=Reflecting on Sputnik - Lappan 3|publisher=|access-date=June 14, 2016}}</ref><ref>http://www.nasonline.org/publications/biographical-memoirs/memoir-pdfs/zacharias-jerrold.pd</ref><ref>https://philanthropy.com/article/Nonprofit-Uses-Radio-for/152257</ref><ref>Norman F. Ramsey. "Jerrold R. Zacharias (1905-1986)" (PDF). National Academy of Sciences website. Retrieved 6/15/2016</ref> Zacharias is credited with changing the way physics is taught in secondary schools and many of the PSSC films are still used in classrooms today. <ref>https://www.technologyreview.com/s/607999/full-contact-physics/</ref>
Under the name Elementary Science Studies (ESS), EDC developed several mathematical approaches and tools to facilitate learning, such as Mirror Cards, Attribute Blocks and [[Pattern Blocks]] all created in the 1960s and still used by classrooms today.<ref>http://www.mathedpage.org/angles/index.html</ref>


EDC is known for many of its curriculum development programs in the fields of science, social studies, and mathematics and for contribution new ideas and methods for improving the content and process of education. One of EDC’s earliest projects was the Elementary Science Study (ESS), funded primarily by the [[National Science Foundation]]. In the 1960s, EDC developed dozens of classroom kits and accompanying teacher guides for teaching science and mathematics in elementary and middle school. Many of these led to variations still in wide use in schools today. These include Attribute Blocks and its variants which can be found in most elementary school classrooms. Also, [[Pattern Blocks]]<ref>http://www.mathedpage.org/angles/index.html</ref> are ubiquitous in U.S. classrooms, still in the very same form (colors and size) as EDC originally created them.
EDC's work has grown to include projects addressing major education, health, and social challenges such as injury, violence, and suicide prevention and early childhood development and learning. EDC has worked in 60 countries around the world and in all 50 U.S. states.
EDC's work has grown to include projects addressing major education, health, and social challenges such as injury, violence, and suicide prevention and early childhood development and learning. EDC has worked in 60 countries around the world and in all 50 U.S. states.


Revision as of 16:19, 28 July 2017

Website: www.edc.org

Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC) is a nonprofit research and development organization[1] with headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts, and offices in Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, and other locations in the United States and around the world. EDC has 1,400 employees who develop and implement programs in education, health, and international development.

In a number of countries, EDC uses technology, most notably radio, to provide educational opportunities for hard to reach learners. For instance, during the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Liberia, EDC and its partners used radio to provide lessons to students whose schools were closed due to the disease.[2] Research conducted by EDC on teen smoking has been cited by communities and states as they consider raising the age to purchase tobacco to 21.[3][4] EDC also works to improve the knowledge base in early childhood development. [5]

Named twice to The Boston Globe’s “Top Places to Work,” [6][7] EDC maintains a staff composed of scientists, researchers, mathematicians, educators, and health and technology specialists. Staff expertise includes research, training, policy, curriculum and materials development, and education technology, and their activities range from small seed projects to large-scale national and international initiatives.

History

EDC is known for creating the curriculum Man: A Course of Study. The organization was founded (as Educational Services, Inc.) by Jerrold Zacharias, an eminent physics professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who started the Physical Science Study Committee, and is credited with developing PSSC Physics funded by the National Science Foundation. PSSC Physics focused on science as the product of experiment and theory, constructed by real people. EDC introduced it successfully in schools across the country and eventually in many parts of the world.[8][9][10][11] Zacharias is credited with changing the way physics is taught in secondary schools and many of the PSSC films are still used in classrooms today. [12]

EDC is known for many of its curriculum development programs in the fields of science, social studies, and mathematics and for contribution new ideas and methods for improving the content and process of education. One of EDC’s earliest projects was the Elementary Science Study (ESS), funded primarily by the National Science Foundation. In the 1960s, EDC developed dozens of classroom kits and accompanying teacher guides for teaching science and mathematics in elementary and middle school. Many of these led to variations still in wide use in schools today. These include Attribute Blocks and its variants which can be found in most elementary school classrooms. Also, Pattern Blocks[13] are ubiquitous in U.S. classrooms, still in the very same form (colors and size) as EDC originally created them.

EDC's work has grown to include projects addressing major education, health, and social challenges such as injury, violence, and suicide prevention and early childhood development and learning. EDC has worked in 60 countries around the world and in all 50 U.S. states.

Leadership

EDC's president and Chief Executive Officer is David Offensend. Previously, Offensend was chief operating officer at the New York Public Library, the nation's largest public library system with 90 affiliated branches.

A 12-member Board of Trustees is chaired by Vivien Stewart, vice president, Asia Society.

Mission

EDC designs, implements, and evaluates programs to improve education, health, and economic opportunity worldwide.

Our Work

EDC works in all 50 states and in more than 20 countries. EDC's work focuses on: 1. Elementary and Secondary Education 2. Early childhood development and learning 3. STEM 4. Youth workforce development 5. Out of School Learning 6. Injury, Violence, and Suicide Prevention 7. Behavioral, Physical, and Mental Health 8. HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health 9. Substance Abuse, Prevention, and Treatment 10. Capacity Building for Individuals, Organizations, and Systems [14]

EDC is home to several national programs and centers including the Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast & Islands which helps education leaders in the Northeast, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands use education research and data to improve student achievement. It is funded by the Institute of Education Sciences at the U.S. Department of Education.

Also based at EDC is the Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT)[15], funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). EDC also manages and staffs the Suicide Prevention Resource Center [16], the nation’s only federally supported resource center devoted to advancing the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. SPRC is funded by (SAMHSA) under grant no. 1U79SM062297. EDC also serves as the secretariat for the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention.

Services

  • Design and Development
  • Evaluation
  • Implementation
  • Policy
  • Research

References

  1. ^ "EDC". Education Development Center, Inc. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  2. ^ http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2014/1019/As-Ebola-relief-ramps-up-other-aid-efforts-stumble-in-West-Africa
  3. ^ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-smoking-addiction-idUSKCN0Q52IL20150731
  4. ^ http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2016/0505/Will-voters-try-to-repeal-California-s-21-smoking-age-law-video
  5. ^ http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/05/10/four-education-priorities-democrats-and-republicans-can.html
  6. ^ http://archive.boston.com/business/special/topplaces/2008/profiles/education_development_center.htm
  7. ^ http://archive.boston.com/business/special/topplaces/2009/profiles/education_development_center.htm
  8. ^ "Reflecting on Sputnik - Lappan 3". Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  9. ^ http://www.nasonline.org/publications/biographical-memoirs/memoir-pdfs/zacharias-jerrold.pd
  10. ^ https://philanthropy.com/article/Nonprofit-Uses-Radio-for/152257
  11. ^ Norman F. Ramsey. "Jerrold R. Zacharias (1905-1986)" (PDF). National Academy of Sciences website. Retrieved 6/15/2016
  12. ^ https://www.technologyreview.com/s/607999/full-contact-physics/
  13. ^ http://www.mathedpage.org/angles/index.html
  14. ^ http://www.edc.org/our-work/
  15. ^ https://www.samhsa.gov/capt/CAPT/
  16. ^ http://www.sprc.org/
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