How School Districts Will Spend the Stimulus | HMH Deepens Focus on K-12 Digital | Byju's Invests $1 Billion in In-Person Tutoring

A Newsletter for Education Business Leaders [ ] [Advertisement](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) [edBiz Update | The news roundup for education business leaders] Powered by [EDWEEK Market Brief](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) [EDWEEK MARKET BRIEF](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r)  | [EDUCATION WEEK](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r)  | [ADVERTISE](mailto:mbakley@educationweek.org?subject=Advertising%20Opportunities)  | [JOBS](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) [ ] [ ] [ ] Sean Cavanagh Managing Editor, EdWeek Market Brief Hello, edBiz Readers: In this issue of edBiz Update, we bring news of transactions touching some of the biggest names in the education industry -- signs of the huge digital and in-person instructional shifts rattling the COVID-era market. Companies of all sizes, meanwhile, are waiting for school systems to lay out their priorities for [spending $130 billion](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) rolling out through the massive stimulus measure signed into law by President Biden last month. Some of the stories in this issue that you don't want to miss: • A huge player in the curriculum space, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, is [selling its consumer books business to HarperCollins](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) for $349 million, notes EdWeek Market Brief's Brian Bradley. HMH's CEO, Jack Lynch, says the move will allow the company to "deepen [its] focus on K-12 education" and ramp up its sales of digital products. • The India-based ed-tech juggernaut Byju's has [acquired in-person tutoring company Aakash for close to $1 billion](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r), reports TechCrunch. The deal matters because it will potentially give Byju's, valued at an estimated $13 billion, the ability to blend in-person and online delivery of lessons, a critical asset in a world struggling through pandemic recovery. • Two years after it secured a $191 million settlement against the for-profit University of Phoenix, the Federal Trade Commission is sending[$50 million in settlements to eligible students](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r), reports Business Insider. The FTC had accused the university -- which denies wrongdoing -- of touting partnerships to businesses like Yahoo and other organizations where relationships did not exist. And if you're a business looking for insights on three of the biggest education markets in the country -- [California](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r), [Texas](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r), and [Florida](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) -- don't miss EdWeek Market Brief's special report series. The final installment was just published. Keep checking back with edBiz Update for more news and analysis on deals, industry shakeups, and fast-emerging trends. [ ] Sean Cavanagh Managing Editor, EdWeek Market Brief Suggestions/Feedback: Contact Sean Cavanagh at scavanagh@epe.org. Sponsorship/Business Opportunities: Contact Maurice Bakley at mbakley@epe.org. [ ] [ ] [ ] ADVERTISEMENT [Advertisement](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) An Inside Look at the California, Texas, and Florida K-12 Markets In this quarterly briefing, our editorial team breaks down our recent reporting and analysis on three critical state markets: Texas, California, and Florida, drawing from three recent special reports. [Download now](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) [ ] K12 [ ] [ ] [alt]   [How These Districts Prioritized Relationships and Social-Emotional Support During the Pandemic (EdSurge)](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) When schools shuttered suddenly more than a year ago, teachers and staff scrambled to recreate their school communities as best they could in a virtual environment. [alt]   [Byju's Acquires Indian Tutor Aakash for Nearly $1 Billion (TechCrunch)](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) Why did Byju's raise over $1 billion last year? A new acquisition for an in-person tutoring company offers an answer. [alt]   [Roundtable: Focusing on Social and Emotional Learning for K-12 Students (EdTech Magazine)](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) Four experts discuss the pandemic's impact on social and emotional learning, and best practices for offering SEL-focused instruction in a remote environment. [alt]   [Q&A: Renee Tarun on How to Prevent Ransomware Attacks (EdTech Magazine)](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) Fortinet's deputy CISO discusses the threat of ransomware for K-12 schools and shares her thoughts on best practices for prevention. [Houghton Mifflin Harcourt to Sell Consumer Books and Media Division (EdWeek Market Brief)](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, a giant in the education sphere, is selling its book publishing business and forming a new platform team to focus on digital-first delivery. [alt]   [How the Rise of New Publicly Traded Education Companies Will Shake Up the Market (EdWeek Market Brief)](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) A new class of special purpose acquisition companies could give rise to a constellation of publicly traded education companies, with more visibility and greater access to capital. [alt]   [How School Districts Plan to Spend $130 Billion in Federal Stimulus Money (Education Week)](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) Schools will soon receive an massive influx of federal funds. Special education training, technology improvements, and facilities upgrades are on schools' shopping lists. [ ] ADVERTISEMENT [Advertisement](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) [ ] Higher Education [ ] [ ] [alt]   [Colleges Ready Students to Get Vaccines as Eligibility Requirements Open Up (Higher Ed Dive)](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) Higher ed institutions are using different tactics to encourage students to find appointments and sign up for shots. [alt]   [Student Impressions of Virtual Internships, Remote First Jobs (Inside Higher Ed)](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) How comfortable are students with remote work experiences, and what can colleges do to help ensure a virtual role is still successful? [Pandemic Scrambles College Admissions, With New Test-Optional Rules and Surge in Applications (The Washington Post)](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) As competitive colleges and universities release decisions, it's clear that many students who didn't submit SAT or ACT scores are getting offers. [Biden Has Promised to Crack Down on Troubled For-Profit Colleges. (Chronicle of Higher Education)](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) Some Are Already in Peril. [alt]   [How Can Outcomes-Based Funding for Colleges Promote Equity? (Inside Higher Ed)](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) A better set of outcomes-based state funding metrics can encourage institutions to focus on low-income and minority students' success, a new report argues. [Spending Plans Point to 'Lean Year' in Higher Ed for Florida (Jacksonville Business Journal)](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) A budget proposal calls for a nearly $217 million reduction in spending on the state university system. [alt]   [University of Kentucky Mural Depicting Slavery Will Be Removed (Louisville Courier-Journal)](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto announced Friday that a mural on campus that students repeatedly criticized as racist will be removed. Et Alia [ ] [ ] [alt]   [AI and EdTech: A Match Made In Heaven? (Forbes)](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) Three unexpected advances in AI for EdTech. Ways by which the pandemic drove innovation. [alt]   [Women of Color Lead Gender Equality in STEM Education (Forbes)](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) The research presents patterns that are surprising given that women of color have been underrepresented in many STEM fields. [alt]   [How eSports Boosts Teamwork, Communication Skills (eSchool News)](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) Teamwork and communication are the top skills employers are looking for, a new survey of hiring managers reveals. That bodes well for the students at a Los Angeles secondary school. [alt]   [The Worst Of Times For Online College Education (Forbes)](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) The reviews keep coming in, people really, really don't like online learning. But this is the online education market, where that just doesn't matter. [alt]   [These Entrepreneurs Are Propelling the $200 Billion E-Learning Industry To New Heights (International Business Times)](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) A desire by many worldwide to learn new skills and adapt to a rapidly-changing world, coupled with continued technological innovation, has propelled the rapid growth of e-learning platforms. [alt]   [What's Driving Growth in the Ed-Tech Market? (GovTech)](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) COVID-19 intensified existing trends in the ed-tech market, specifically an increase in investment. [FTC Sends About $50 Million in Refunds to Ex-University of Phoenix Students (Business Insider)](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) The new FTC payments are part of a record $191 million settlement with the University of Phoenix from late 2019 over claims of deceptive marketing. Comings and Goings [ ] Ed-tech company IXL Learning has hired former New York City Schools Chancellor [Richard Carranza](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) as its chief of strategy and global development. The Prince William County Public Schools, outside of Washington, D.C., has named [LaTanya D. McDade](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) as its new superintendent. She replaces retiring Superintendent Steven Walts. Taylor University in Indiana has hired [Michael Lindsay](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) as its next president beginning in August. Since 2011, Lindsay has served as president of Gordon College in Massachusetts. Samford University in Alabama has chosen [Beck A. Taylor](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) as its new president. Taylor succeeds Andrew Westmoreland, who is retiring. Online education platform Chegg has hired [Lauren Glotzer](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) as its new chief strategy officer. Glotzer is the former executive VP of television strategy & operations at Sony Pictures Entertainment. Heard of executives changing jobs within the education industry? Give us the details by writing to edbiz-transitions@educationweek.org. Jobs [ ] [ ] [Senior VP](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) Northwest Evaluation AssociationThe SVP leads, mentors and motivates the State Division's sales team responsible for generating revenue from state-level sales, and for supporting the District Partner Accounts team with sales enablement efforts. [Executive Director](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) Camelot Education The Executive Director will oversee between one to four special education programs within the Colorado region. They will lead a team of school/program directors. [Academy Director](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) Brightside Academy As a highly motivated individual, you will be accountable for an academy that meets the highest state credential requirements, incorporates Brightside Academy's purpose, organizational goals, values and policies. Did someone forward this to you? [Sign up](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r) to get edBiz Update in your own inbox. This message was intended for {EMAIL}. If you would like to op-out, please [click here](TPpEDF2NK:m:1:3125711346:572E1D53272A07FF321B7FC772A815E8:r). Copyright © 2021 Education Week 6935 Arlington Road, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD 20814