Virginia’s Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) announced the extension of its partnership with Discovery Education, the global leader in standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms. In the latest phase of this nine-year relationship, educators in all division schools are now empowered to use Discovery Education Experience, which will support students’ continuity of learning now and in the future, either in a classroom setting or at home.
“As Prince William County Public Schools prepares for the 2020-2021 school year, we are focused on ensuring our educators and students have access to digital resources that will support their learning wherever it is taking place,” said Dr. Steven Walts, Prince William County Schools Superintendent. “The continuation of this partnership supports this mission and our efforts to maintain students’ continuity of learning.”
PWCS provides a world-class education to more than 91,000 students in 100 schools and centers in Northern Virginia, just 25 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. Each grade level or course of study at PWCS is grounded in a purposefully designed plan for learning that outlines the knowledge and skills students will develop. This vital curriculum assures high-quality instruction with objectives for each grade level and subject area. Aligned with the Virginia Standards of Learning, the division's curriculum ensures that every child is involved in their learning and prepared to thrive.
To support the district’s immersive K-12 curriculum, PWCS educators will continue integrating the award-winning Discovery Education Experience into instruction. A flexible K-12 platform that keeps students connected to learning in the home or school environments, Experience provides compelling high-quality content, ready-to-use digital lessons, unique collaboration tools, and professional learning resources that gives educators everything they need to create lasting educational impact. Built for all learners, grade levels, subject areas, and interests, Experience brings new excitement and relevance to the topics educators teach and reaches and engages every student wherever learning is taking place.
Discovery Education Experience is one of the resources PWCS will be integrating into its existing Canvas learning management system this summer. Through this ongoing Learning Tool Integration project, PWCS educators will have the ability to access Discovery Education Experience and other learning resources seamlessly through one platform using single sign-on.
“When the COVID-19 Pandemic forced our district to shift to remote learning, our educators leaned into using Discovery Education Experience to keep students connected to learning,” said Diane Harazin, Prince William County Public Schools’ Supervisor of Instructional Technology. “We are excited to continue this partnership, which is playing a key role maintaining our students’ continuity of learning.”
To help PWCS educators integrate their new digital resources into instruction in the coming school year, Discovery Education will provide division teachers dedicated professional learning. Through these interactive professional development sessions, participants will learn best practices for integrating technology and digital content into teaching and learning in ways that will maximize the power of their digital resources, increase student engagement in instruction, and improve students’ academic achievement.
PWCS’ continued partnership with Discovery Education also ensures division teachers’ continued access to the Discovery Education Community. A global community of education professionals, the Discovery Education Community 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. PWCS educators have been very active participants in the Discovery Education Community and longtime participants in the Discovery Education Network’s Ambassador program.
“Discovery Education is proud to continue its long-term relationship with Prince William County Public Schools,” said Esperanza Agnew, Discovery Education’s Manager of Partner Success. “We are excited to continue to support the district’s mission to provide all students a world-class education.”
For more information about Virginia’s Prince William County Public Schools, visit the school system’s website here.
For more information about Discovery Education’s digital resources and professional learning services, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Facebook, follow us on Twitter at @DiscoveryEd, or find us on Instagram and Pinterest.
About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms. Through its award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia resources, and the largest professional learning network of its kind, Discovery Education is transforming teaching and learning, creating immersive STEM experiences, and improving academic achievement around the globe. Discovery Education currently serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 140 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Discovery, Inc., Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and like-minded organizations to empower teachers with customized solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.DiscoveryEducation.com.
