1958
High School Physics
PSSC Physics 1958–1968
EDC’s flagship project, PSSC Physics, is a groundbreaking, multimedia high school science curriculum. Developed by MIT physicist Jerrold Zacharias and colleagues, it sets a new standard for excellence in U.S. education. By the early 1960s, nearly half the country’s high school physics students use the curriculum, which earns four American Film Festival Awards.
Funders: National Science Foundation; Ford Foundation; and Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
1960
Hands-On Science
Elementary Science Study (ESS) 1960–1973
This landmark curriculum brings EDC’s inquiry approach to science education into elementary schools nationwide. It reinvents science instruction by engaging children directly with natural phenomena and teaching them to pose hypotheses and test theories. More than 100 educators contribute to the creation of the program, which earns two CINE Golden Eagle Awards.
Funder: National Science Foundation
Former Project Director, Karen Worth (00:49)
1961
Math and Science in Africa
African Mathematics Program 1961–1976
African Primary Science Program 1965–1976
An international team of mathematicians, scientists, and educators from Africa and the United States join forces to advance mathematics and science education across Africa. Project staff develop teacher training and culturally appropriate programs and materials for primary and secondary schools. The program launches the continent’s first indigenous educational research and development organization, Science Educational Programme for Africa.
Funder: U.S. Agency for International Development
Former Project Director, Karen Worth (01:06)
1962
Social Studies
Man: A Course of Study (MACOS) 1962–1975
This extraordinary curriculum brings the culture of the Netsilik Eskimos to elementary schools across the country. A chronicle of human behavior, it features stunning original film footage and wins multiple awards, including the American Educational Publishers Institute Award, an Emmy Award, and two CINE Golden Eagle Awards. Ultimately, its frank depiction of Eskimo life ignites a national controversy.
Funders: National Science Foundation and Ford Foundation
Former President, Janet Whitla (01:22)
1971
Career Education
Career Education Project 1971–1975
The first of its kind in the nation, the Career Education Project becomes a national model for workforce development. Its innovative methods include free telephone counseling, job training for at-home adults, a career resource center, and award-winning print materials. The project reaches over 6,000 unemployed adults.
Funder: National Institute of Education
Former Senior Vice President, Vivian Guilfoy (02:10)
1971
Healthy Families
Exploring Childhood 1971–1978
This multimedia high school curriculum engages students in the study and care of young children. Authentic film footage of family life offers a compelling view of child development. Teachers and community leaders receive training to teach the curriculum, which is used by over 7,000 sites in 50 U.S. states and 9 countries.
Funders: National Institute of Mental Health; Office of Child Development of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare; and Bush Foundation
Vice President, Joanne Brady (00:51)
1971
Injury Prevention
Burn Prevention Project 1971–1975
EDC’s first public health initiative, this project brings together doctors, educators, and firefighters to reduce the incidence of burns, a common cause of childhood injury and death. Staff collect baseline data and develop a media campaign, community-wide educational materials for parents, and a curriculum for schools.
Funder: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Former Senior Vice President, Cheryl Vince Whitman (01:21)
1976
Head Start
New England Resource Access Project for Disabilities Services 1976–2003
Launching a vital partnership between Head Start and EDC, this project assists Head Start staff as they include children with disabilities in their classrooms. EDC provides onsite training and resources to more than 100 Head Start programs across New England and training for early education professionals at national, state, and regional conferences.
Funder: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families
Vice President, Joanne Brady (02:04)
1977
Gender Equity
Women’s Educational Equity Act (WEEA) Resource Center 1977–2003
The WEEA Resource Center provides publishing services, technical assistance, and training to educators as they seek to meet the mandates of Title IX and the changing educational needs of girls and women. The project continues for more than 25 years.
Funder: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
Former President Janet Whitla, on origins of WEEA (02:09)
Former Senior Vice President, Vivian Guilfoy (01:06)
1971
Health Campaign
International Nutrition Communication Service 1979–1984
One of the first international health campaigns to use social marketing techniques. This project promotes breastfeeding and healthy weaning practices in more than 30 developing countries. Project staff use radio to reach new mothers with important health messages and to train community health workers in health care basics.
Funder: U.S. Agency for International Development
Former Vice President, Ronald Israel (01:45)
1982
Educational Software
Semantic Calculator and Geometric Supposer 1982–1993
EDC investigates how classroom computers can help students learn. This early research leads to a line of software products to improve teaching and learning in mathematics. Both Semantic Calculator and Geometric Supposer win the Software of the Year Award from Classroom Computer Learning.
Funders: EDC and Sunburst Communications, Inc.
Vice President, Wayne Harvey (2:15)
1985
Radio Education
Interactive Radio Instruction (IRI) 1985–present
EDC pioneers the use of radio to educate millions of children and adults isolated by distance, poverty, and war. Within decades, nearly 30 developing countries embrace IRI, which brings basic education to communities with limited resources. Ever adaptable, IRI is used across cultures, languages, and subjects in schoolrooms, community centers, and outdoor venues.
Funder: U.S. Agency for International Development
Former Senior Vice President, Michael Laflin (01:06)
1985
Reproductive Health
Video Opportunities for Innovative Condom Education and Safer Sex (VOICES/VOCES) 1985–2009
Clinics in urban neighborhoods use these brief, soap-opera style videos to promote positive messages about health and sexuality. These videos will be proven to reduce HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among high-risk populations. With both Spanish and English versions, nearly 1,000 clinics use the videos, which are endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Funders: Centers for Disease Control
Former Vice President, Mildred Solomon (02:19)
Project Director, Lydia O’Donnell (01:14)
1987
Science K-6
Insights: An Inquiry-Based Science Curriculum 1987–2006
EDC updates its signature inquiry approach to science education with this standards-based K–6 science curriculum. Responsive to the needs of urban students and their environment, the curriculum includes a balance of life, earth, and physical sciences.
Funder: National Science Foundation
Former Vice President, Judith Sandler (1:23)
Project Director, Karen Worth (1:13)
1989
Health Promotion
Teenage Health Teaching Modules (THTM) 1989–2013
Used in 50 U.S. states and several countries, THTM gives adolescents the tools to enhance their own health. Topics include alcohol and drug abuse, mental health promotion, and sexuality. The U.S. Department of Education names THTM a promising model program.
Funder: Education Development Center, Inc.
Former Senior Vice President, Cheryl Vince Whitman (01:12)
1991
Global Health
Healthy Schools 1991–present
EDC is a key advisor to the World Health Organization (WHO) on the healthy development of students, school personnel, families, and communities worldwide. In 1998, EDC is designated the WHO Collaborating Center to Promote Health through Schools and Communities.
Funder: World Health Organization
Former Senior Vice President, Cheryl Vince Whitman (01:15)
1992
Health Research
Reach for Health 1992–2006
EDC launches a long-term study on the health of New York City African American and Latino youth. Tracking them from middle school into young adulthood, EDC accumulates a wealth of information that is used to develop community-based interventions to reduce early and unprotected sex, violence, and substance abuse.
Funder: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Project Director, Lydia O’Donnell (0:57)
1994
Students with Disabilities
Urban Special Education Leadership Collaborative 1994–present
Special education leaders from around the country join forces to improve education for children with disabilities in urban schools. EDC’s Collaborative provides networking and leadership development opportunities for special educators through technical assistance, research, and online discussion forums.
Funder: Member districts
Former Vice President, Nancy Ames (1:21)
1994
Early Childhood Education
Professional Teaching Standards 1994–1996
EDC develops the nation’s first advanced certification for early childhood educators. Staff work with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) to design, field-test, and implement an assessment process that identifies and rewards exemplary preschool teachers.
Funder: National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
Vice President, Joanne Brady (1:52)
1994
School Violence
Aggressors, Victims, and Bystanders 1994–2013
School violence is on the rise—can bystanders make a difference? This award-winning curriculum teaches middle school students to become nonviolent problem-solvers instead of passive bystanders. The curriculum is used in 44 U.S. states and named a promising program by the U.S. Department of Education.
Funder: Education Development Center, Inc.
1995
Media Literacy
American Memory Fellows Program 1995–present
EDC begins a long-term partnership with the Library of Congress to bring the Library’s online archive of primary source documents to history classrooms across the country. The program helps teachers and librarians promote media literacy and historical research among students.
Funder: Library of Congress
1997
Nationwide School Reform
Fundamental Quality and Equity Levels 1997–2007
Student enrollment doubles and achievement increases across Guinea as a result of a comprehensive reform effort led by EDC. The program improves primary education by developing up-to-date teaching strategies and management techniques, training every teacher in the country, and producing effective radio and print teaching materials.
Funder: U.S. Agency for International Development
Former Senior Vice President, Michael Laflin (02:02)
1998
Ethics in War
Exploring Humanitarian Law (EHL) 1998–2006
What is “fair” during armed conflicts? Created by EDC and the International Committee of the Red Cross, EHL challenges students to grapple with questions of humane treatment, decency, courage, suffering, and respect during war. Developed with educators from 20 countries, EHL goes on to be used in 80 countries.
Funder: International Committee of the Red Cross
1999
Preschool Science
Tool Kit for Early Childhood Science Education 1999–2005
Educators at EDC collaborate with teachers to develop the country’s first complete preschool science curriculum. EDC also drafts national standards for preschool science education as part of a national effort to bring hands-on science instruction to preschool classrooms.
Funder: National Science Foundation
Project Director, Karen Worth (01:29)
2000
Online Learning
EdTech Leaders Online (ETLO) 2000–present
ETLO sets the standard for excellence in online learning for K–12 school teachers, administrators, and students. Expert staff offer high-quality content on varied subjects for a range of grade levels, including graduate-level courses.
Funder: AT&T Foundation
Project Director, Barbara Treacy (01:18)
2000
Public/Private Partnerships
Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies (Ford PAS) 2000–present
A new kind of high school curriculum, Ford PAS positions students to succeed in college and careers by linking classroom lessons to opportunities in business, engineering, and technology. Drawing on partnerships with business and community leaders, this interdisciplinary program involves at least 20,000 students in 23 states.
Funder: Ford Motor Company Fund
Former Senior Vice President, Vivian Guilfoy (01:06)
2001
Mathematics K-5
Think Math! 2001–2007
The best of traditional and reform approaches to mathematics education come together in this comprehensive K–5 curriculum. Think Math! connects problem-solving, skill building, and conceptual development for elementary school students and also includes professional development for teachers.
Funders: National Science Foundation and Harcourt
Vice President, Wayne Harvey (02:19)
2001
Technology and Developing Countries
dot-EDU 2001–2007
The multinational dot-EDU program brings technology innovations to school improvement efforts in dozens of developing countries. Projects are as diverse as the countries themselves—from interactive radio for students in Somalia to online teacher training in Peru. In all, dot-EDU conducts 25 projects and 18 pilot initiatives.
Funder: U.S. Agency for International Development
2002
Multimedia Education
Technology Tools for Teaching and Training in India (T4) 2002–2011
The T4 program creates interactive, multimedia tools in audio, video, and software formats and trains thousands of teachers in their use. It establishes new standards for education quality, delivers education services on a large scale, and reaches out to girls and other vulnerable populations. A total of 13 million children across India benefit from this program.
Funder: U.S. Agency for International Development
Former Senior Vice President, Michael Laflin (02:10)
2002
Mental Health
National Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention 2002–2013
Violence, substance abuse, behavioral problems—many young people today are struggling and schools, communities, and service agencies are ready to help. This national center offers professional training and technical assistance to more than 100 school districts and community agencies across the United States.
Funder: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
2004
Resources for Policymakers
21st Century Skills 2004–2006
EDC provides essential research and resources to the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, a coalition of prominent business, government, and education leaders working to make U.S. education more relevant and competitive. Staff build an assessment framework and develop a series of online resources for policymakers.
Funder: Partnership for 21st Century Skills
2006
Education Research
Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast and Islands 2006–present
EDC directs the region’s premier educational research lab, which brings scientifically based evidence to educators and policymakers. Its large-scale studies, research reviews, and data analyses inform high-level decisions about programs and policies to improve schools.
Funder: U.S. Department of Education
2007
Learning amid Conflict
Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills—Phase 2 (EQuALLS2) 2007–2013
EQuALLS2 increases access to quality basic education and livelihood skills in the volatile region of Mindanao in the Philippines. An estimated 100,000 students and 35,000 teachers receive training and 1,200 classrooms are repaired or constructed in 1,000 communities.
Funder: U.S. Agency for International Development
2008
Video Games for Learning
Possible Worlds 2008–present
Using the compelling power of video games, this five-year research project develops and tests activities that aim to aid science and literacy instruction. Designed for the Nintendo DS, the games target misconceptions students may have about science, and address reading difficulties and motivational issues that hamper learning.
Funder: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences
2010
Independent News
Sudan Radio Service (SRS) 2010–2012
The EDC-operated SRS builds new headquarters in Juba in southern Sudan, broadcasting news, education programs, and music in 12 languages. One month after their opening, SRS covers the historic referendum regarding independence for South Sudan, conducting interviews, broadcasting voting information, and announcing the decision.
Funder: U.S. Agency for International Development
2011
Teacher Professional Development
USAID Teacher Education Project 2011–2013
EDC works with the Pakistan government, provincial agencies, universities, and colleges to revitalize teacher education. Two teacher degree programs are created and implemented, each with corresponding curricula. In addition, new construction enhances 22 Pakistani universities and 75 teacher colleges.
Funder: U.S. Agency for International Development
2012
Suicide Prevention
A Lasting Commitment 2012–present
EDC works with the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention to revise the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. EDC’s Suicide Prevention Resource Center develops a toolkit to aid crisis centers in counseling American Indian and Alaska Native callers.
Funder: Various, including U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services
2012
Technology for Learning
HP Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurs (HP LIFE) 2012–present
In one of our many global partnerships, EDC works with HP to develop and launch a free online, interactive course for aspiring entrepreneurs. Within months, it engages tens of thousands of users around the world. Participants learn technology and business skills and explore finance, marketing, operations, and communication.
Funder: HP
HP LIFE Website
2013
Literacy
Read Right Now! 2013–present
EDC launches Read Right Now!, which builds on 15 years of creating literacy programs in resource-lean environments and decades of literacy instruction work in the United States. The program offers teachers training in key areas shown to increase the reading ability of early grade students.
Funder: Education Development Center, Inc.
Read Right Now! website
2015
STEM - Computer Science
Beauty and Joy of Computing 2015–present
EDC partners with the University of California, Berkeley, to create a high school version of the college-level curriculum Beauty and Joy of Computing. We train 100 New York City teachers working in high-need schools using a blended model of professional development. The course revisions are aligned with the College Board’s AP requirements—opening up a market as other districts follow suit.
Funder: National Science Foundation
