American Public Education Foundation and Pickler Companies Help to Launch Tennessee Digital Resources Library
COLLIERVILLE, Tenn., July 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Public Education Foundation and the Pickler Companies played a key role in today's launch of the Tennessee Digital Resources Library (TDRL), a partnership with Tennessee School Boards Association, technology leader Apple, Inc., and key educational partners that taps into the potential offered by digital technology for the delivery of classroom content.
Early supporters include Sen. Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) and Rep. John Forgety (R-Athens), with keynoter Tracy noting at launch that to accomplish TDRL "took leadership," and that these digital resources "will improve the quality of education across the spectrum in Tennessee."
The TDRL curated digital material replaces costly classroom textbooks that often are obsolete before ever reaching students. With free, vetted and modifiable learning resources newly in place, state Boards of Education can now redirect funds formerly spent on textbooks toward devices and technology infrastructure.
With assistance from Apple, 58 teachers curated digital materials across the following high school courses from August – March 2015, with all content aligned to state standards: Algebra I, II, III; Biology; Chemistry; Economics: English I, II, III, IV; Geometry; Government; Physical Science; U.S. History and World History. The TSBA website, www.tsba.net (click on TDRL), houses course materials.
"We take tremendous pride in having directly supported an innovative, scalable public-private technology partnership that offers Tennessee public school students - and students nationwide - the opportunity to succeed in today's digitally connected world," said American Public Education Foundation president David A. Pickler, J.D., founder and president of Pickler Companies. The Foundation and Pickler Companies provided all 58 teachers supporting the project with iPad Air 2s and stipends ranging from $500 to $1000 (team leaders).
"David has a history of supporting U.S. public schoolchildren in Tennessee and across the U.S., and the iPad Airs and teacher stipends donated jointly by the Foundation and Pickler Companies attest to his life's work and genuine passion around improving outcomes for America's public school students," said TSBA Executive Director Tammy Grissom, Ed.D.
Hailing TDRL as "a game changer for public education," Foundation president Pickler further praised the state of Tennessee as a "true reform leader," viewing the partnership itself as "a shining example of the type of collaboration that can redefine the public education landscape." The TDRL, which empowers local education leaders and teachers to fulfill the enormous promise of public education, offers the opportunity "to bridge the digital divide and create greater educational opportunity for all students," says Pickler.
About the Foundation: The American Public Education Foundation (APEF) complements in-class teaching and learning with service learning projects that promote civic engagement, character development and global citizenship among K-12 public school students. Business leaders, educators, parents – join us to help educate, inspire and lead America's public school students. Learn more at www.theapef.org
About the Pickler Companies: The four companies include Pickler Wealth Advisors, The Pickler Law Firm, Pickler Accounting Advisors, Pickler & Bailey Financial Planning, and one foundation, the American Public Education Foundation. Learn more at www.picklercompanies.com
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SOURCE American Public Education Foundation
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