Press Category: On the Wire

TUALATIN, Ore. May 18, 2026 – Decades of research confirm that classrooms become more engaging and effective environments when students can clearly hear their teachers. To support teachers’ efforts to reach every student in their classrooms, Lightspeed, the leading provider of instructional audio solutions that create equal access to learning, has released three updates designed to enhance instructional audio use.

The Redcat and Topcat systems now feature updated, modern designs that simplify classroom use. Additionally, the company’s wireless Media Connector now pairs directly with Bluetooth devices.

“Our mission is to remove as much interference as possible from teacher-student communication in the classroom,” said David Solomon, CEO of Lightspeed. “That includes continuously updating our systems and accessories to enhance ease of use and functionality. The more seamless we can make users’ experience with our solutions, the more attention they can devote to teaching and learning.”

The Media Connector’s new Bluetooth connectivity enables reliable, wireless audio streaming from phones and tablets, making it easier to integrate classroom multimedia audio sources. Teachers gain the freedom to share audio content instantly with crystal-clear sound that fills the room.

The Redcat all-in-one speaker system is ready for use right out of the box, delivering even distribution of sound and high speech intelligibility throughout classrooms. Teachers can place the portable system on a table, mount it on a wall or use the optional battery for easier portability.

The Topcat’s all-in-one integrated design and wireless audio capabilities make installation simple and cost effective for both new construction and existing classrooms. The system’s flush-mounted design visually blends into acoustic ceilings for a clean, clutter-free look. Hybrid speakers combine a flat-panel speaker for even speech distribution with a cone speaker for full-range multimedia audio, ensuring teachers’ voices reach every part of the classroom.

“Every classroom is an inherently busy environment, which means students constantly deal with background noise and competing stimuli,” Shaun Fagan, SVP of Product at Lightspeed. “With instructional audio solutions, no student has to struggle to hear the teacher. So, they all focus on learning, and their classroom becomes a more inclusive, engaging environment.”

Lightspeed will showcase these latest instructional audio solutions at ISTELive 2026 in booth #1945, where attendees can experience the updated Redcat, Topcat and Media Connector firsthand.

About Lightspeed

Lightspeed, a 100 percent employee-owned company, is on a mission to help every student hear every word. For more than 30 years, we have delivered powerful instructional audio solutions to K–12 institutions around the globe.

Our instructional audio systems deliver low-volume and highly intelligible sound while supporting teachers with integrated safety features. Our lightweight microphones include built-in integrations with leading safety and communication systems to enable clear sound, emergency alerts and two-way calling capabilities. From crystal-clear instruction to campus-wide communication, we help create learning spaces where every student and teacher can listen, learn, and stay safe.

Passionate about our culture of service, Lightspeed remains dedicated to improving the lives of educators and students through our products, research and partnerships. To learn more, visit https://www.lightspeed-tek.com/.

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BOSTON, Mass. — May 18, 2026 — A new independent analysis of literacy outcomes in Kentucky schools shows that increased participation in Lexia LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) professional learning — part of Lexia’s evidence-aligned LETRS Suite — is associated with measurable improvements in student reading achievement, particularly growth in students reaching “Proficient” reading levels.

The study, conducted by the Kentucky Reading Research Center in partnership with the University of Louisville and the Kentucky Department of Education, analyzed data from 574 elementary schools across 135 districts over multiple academic years, alongside participation from more than 7,000 educators and administrators engaged in LETRS professional learning. Researchers found a consistent, statistically significant relationship between higher percentages of LETRS-trained teachers in a school setting and students’ improved reading performance on the Kentucky Summative Assessment (KSA). 

Among the key findings:

• Schools with higher concentrations of LETRS-trained teachers saw significantly greater gains in students achieving “Proficient” reading levels. 
• Schools above the average level of LETRS-trained teachers experienced up to 26% growth in “Proficient” students, compared to 2.90% in schools below average, comparing state test outcomes from 2023 to 2025. 
• Difference-in-differences analysis confirmed a statistically significant positive effecton the percentage of “Proficient” students over time. 
• Schools with higher concentrations of LETRS-trained teachers also saw larger reductions in the percentage of students performing at the lowest “Novice” level. 

“Building educator expertise is one of the most effective ways to strengthen literacy outcomes at scale, and this research reinforces that approach,” said Alyson Deutsch, Senior Vice President of Product at Lexia. “The LETRS Suite delivers a deep understanding of the science of reading alongside practical, research-aligned application — helping educators strengthen their effectiveness and transform classroom practice. With more than 698,000 educator enrollments supporting over 9.4 million students nationwide, we’re seeing this translate into real, measurable gains in student achievement.”

LETRS has been implemented statewide in Kentucky through the Kentucky Reading Academies, providing more than 7,000 educators and administrators with access to professional learning grounded in the science of reading and focused on building deep knowledge, practical application, and stronger classroom instruction. 

The study also points to an opportunity for even wider impact, noting that many schools and districts still have no LETRS-trained educators and that increasing access to training is a viable strategy to further improve literacy outcomes and help more students reach proficiency. 

“Expanding access to high-quality professional learning is critical to ensuring every student has the opportunity to become a successful reader,” said Roya Salehi, Senior Vice President of Customer Success at Lexia. “We’re committed to partnering with states and districts to scale this work and support educators with the knowledge and tools they need to drive lasting literacy gains.”

Read the full report here.

About Lexia

Lexia, a Cambium Learning Group brand, is transforming literacy education, driving change in 1 of every 3 school districts across the United States. For more than 40 years, Lexia has been a thought leader in literacy education, delivering award-winning, research-based solutions grounded in the science of reading. With a full spectrum of offerings, including professional learning, curriculum, and embedded assessment tools, Lexia provides educators with Structured Literacy solutions that are proven effective and designed to drive meaningful literacy outcomes. By empowering educators with unparalleled ease of use and the knowledge and tools they need, Lexia helps more students unlock their potential to read, write, and speak with confidence. For more information, visit lexialearning.com.          

About Cambium Learning Group

Cambium Learning Group is the education essentials company, providing award-winning education technology and services for K-12 educators and students. With an intentional collection of respected global brands, Cambium serves as a leader, helping millions of educators and students feel more seen, valued, and supported every day. In everything it does, the company focuses on the elements that are most essential to the success of education, delivering simpler, more certain solutions that make a meaningful difference right now.

To learn more, visit www.cambiumlearning.com or follow Cambium on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X. The Cambium family of brands includes: Cambium Assessment, Lexia, Learning A-Z, ExploreLearning, and Time4Learning.

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BALTIMORE, Md. — May 14, 2026 — Michigan’s Van Dyke Public Schools (VDPS) today announced the continuation of its partnership with Concentric Educational Solutions, which is fighting chronic absenteeism in the district’s middle and high schools. Using an innovative, human-centered service model that meets families where they are, Concentric works alongside partner school systems to address the academic, social, emotional, and environmental factors preventing students from engaging in learning.

Serving the Metro Detroit community of Warren, VDPS’s team of education professionals partners with community stakeholders to build a culturally responsive, supportive, and safe learning environment that helps the 2,500 students they serve develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed for future success. Through this approach, the district nurtures, educates, and prepares students to be successful critical thinkers and problem-solvers ready for college and career.

This collaboration began last year, when VDPS sought additional support in combating chronic absenteeism in the district’s middle and high schools. Specifically, the district looked for a partner that could quickly scale a non-punitive, human-centered effort to reengage students in learning that combined relationship-driven outreach with data-driven solutions including attendance services, home visits, and MTSS interventions. 

Following a review of potential solutions, VDPS selected Concentric Educational Solutions to aid their work to combat chronic absenteeism. Based on the success of this initiative, which has contributed to falling rates of chronic absenteeism at Lincoln High School (from 64% in 2023-2024 to 58% in 2024-2025) and Lincoln Middle School (from 59% in 2023-2024 to 50% in 2024-2025), VDPS has renewed its partnership with Concentric Educational Solutions.

Concentric’s approach leverages trained community members to gather real-time insights into students’ absenteeism in the district’s middle and high schools. Services provided to Van Dyke Public Schools include:

• Home visits by trained, community-based teams to families of VDPS students to identify and address attendance barriers
• Engagement with families through collaborative discussions to identify barriers to enrollment and re-enrollment
• Root cause analysis led by Dr. Ivory Toldson, Concentric’s Chief of Research and a Howard University Professor, to interpret engagement data and outline factors driving student disengagement
• Collaboration with district administrators to turn research into actionable attendance and re-engagement strategies

“The continuation of this vital initiative is closely aligned to our mission: “Every Student, Every Day, No Matter What,”” said Ms. Piper Bognar, Superintendent of Van Dyke Public Schools. “Concentric’s human-centered approach to combating chronic absenteeism supports our ongoing efforts to proactively dismantle the barriers preventing attendance. This strategic renewal reinforces Van Dyke Public Schools’ commitment to working in concert with our community and family stakeholders to meet the needs of all students.” 

“Concentric is honored that the district has chosen to deepen our collaboration, and we remain dedicated to ensuring every family in the Van Dyke community has the support needed to overcome obstacles to school attendance and unlock a future full of possibility for their children,” said Concentric Educational Solutions CEO Molly Hebert Loyd. “This continued collaboration supports Van Dyke Public Schools’ ongoing efforts to ensure all students have the opportunity to develop the knowledge and intellectual skills necessary to be successful after graduation and throughout life, and we look forward to the next phase of this work.”

To learn more about Concentric Educational Solutions, visit the company’s website, follow on X, or connect on LinkedIn.

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Santa Barbara, Calif.—May 12, 2026— ParentSquare, the leading family engagement infrastructure for K-12, today introduced a refreshed brand identity that reflects how schools and families connect today—and where the company is headed next.

For 15 years, ParentSquare has helped schools reach every family, regardless of language spoken or resources. What began as a better way to bridge communication gaps between school and home has grown into a unified platform for messaging, attendance, payments, forms, alerts, websites, and more. This spring, the company introduced ParentSquare Intelligence, embedding thoughtful AI and data intelligence across the platform to help schools communicate more effectively and strengthen connections with families.

“This refreshed brand represents the next chapter of ParentSquare,” said Janelle Raney, Chief Marketing Officer at ParentSquare. “Schools need a single platform built around how families actually engage. Our new identity is grounded in the mission that has guided us from day one: to engage families, inspire collaboration, and champion school success.”

The updated brand identity carries forward ParentSquare’s rallying cry as a platform built for schools and designed for families. District and school partners will see the refreshed brand across ParentSquare’s website, communications, and social channels beginning today, with mobile apps and product interface updates following this summer.

While the visual identity is evolving, ParentSquare’s award-winning customer experience and functionality remain the same. The rollout is also timed to land between the close of the school year and the start of back-to-school season, giving district teams space to settle into the new look before their busiest weeks ahead.

The core elements of ParentSquare’s brand refresh include:

New logo: A harmonious four-part icon that carries forward the spirit of the original ParentSquare logo while making it simpler, stronger, and more adaptable. Its four equal parts represent the same idea of connection at the heart of the original: the staff, families, students, and broader school communities ParentSquare brings into one place.

New color palette: A vibrant, modern palette of colors that reflect the people, products, and possibilities ParentSquare brings together. Designed primarily for digital applications and built to meet accessibility standards across the platform, the expanded range gives the brand room to flex across districts, classrooms, and experiences while remaining unmistakably ParentSquare.

Brand promise (unwavering): To be a school district’s best ally in engaging every family.

Discover ParentSquare’s refreshed brand and new website at www.parentsquare.com.

About ParentSquare

ParentSquare is the leading family engagement infrastructure helping K-12 districts nationwide reach every family with an award-winning, all-in-one communication platform. Reaching over 22 million students across the country, ParentSquare helps districts consolidate disconnected tools and outdated communication systems with personalized messaging, websites, forms, payments, and more—in one easy-to-use platform. With powerful features for achieving 100% contactability, two-way translation into 190+ languages, and purpose-built AI enhancements, ParentSquare empowers districts to invite every family to be involved in their student’s education, no matter their home language or the device they use.

Recognized for growth and innovation by Inc. 5000, GSV 150, and more, ParentSquare was founded in 2011 in Santa Barbara, California. Learn more at parentsquare.com.

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Boston – May 7, 2026 – When VHS Learning’s fall 2026 course registration opens on May 6th, high school students can expect exciting new course offerings for the 2026-27 school year. The nonprofit has added additional selections to its catalog of more than 250 unique instructor-led high school courses, which range from core subjects and career-focused electives to Advanced Placement® and Honors options.

VHS Learning supports high schools of all types — urban, rural, public, private, and homeschooling — in expanding their programs of study and offering high-quality courses that might not otherwise be available locally. Adding VHS Learning courses is quick and easy, as VHS Learning provides the course instructors and curriculum, as well as its team of helpful online learning experts.

Among the new courses being offered this fall are AP® Cybersecurity, AP® Business with Personal Finance, and AP® Networking. These college-level courses are part of the College Board’s new AP Career Kickstart™ group of courses, which are designed to accelerate high school students on their paths to in-demand careers. In addition to receiving college credit at over 1,900 higher education institutions, students who complete Career Kickstart™ courses and earn a qualifying score on the AP® exam will also receive a corresponding credential that validates their skills to career technical education programs of study or potential employers.

“We’re very excited to add three new courses to our catalog for the 2026-2027 school year that are part of the College Board’s new Career Kickstart program, including being selected as a pilot school for AP Networking,” said Kim Spangenberg, Associate Dean of Curriculum at VHS Learning. “Students don’t need any prior knowledge of these subjects to enroll and engage in authentic work that provides an opportunity to earn employer-endorsed credentials in addition to college credit. These courses will provide valuable opportunities to prepare more students for various post-secondary pathways.”

In AP® Cybersecurity, students explore the foundational concepts of cybersecurity knowledge and practice. Students will learn about common virtual threats and vulnerabilities, then study how risk management and mitigation strategies are used to secure networks, devices, data, and more. As part of the AP Career Kickstart™ program, students who complete this rigorous, college-level introductory cybersecurity course and receive a qualifying AP® exam score earn the AP Cybersecurity Credential.

Students who enroll in AP® Business with Personal Finance  will discover the business disciplines of entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, accounting, and management through real-world case studies and project-based learning. Additionally, students will learn and apply all of the National Standards for Personal Financial Education created by the Council for Economic Education and the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. Upon completion of the course and a qualifying AP® exam score, students earn the AP Business with Personal Finance Credential.

AP® Networking is a college-level course that blends essential networking concepts with relevant, hands-on problem-solving activities and simulations to help students build a strong understanding of network hardware, configuration, protocols, data transmission, and security practices. Students work collaboratively to connect, configure, troubleshoot, and secure devices and networks, learning the value of cybersecurity and mitigation while building critical thinking and communication skills. VHS Learning is offering this program as a 2026-27 School Year AP Networking® pilot school.

“As career pathways continue to evolve, it’s critical that students have access to courses that reflect the skills employers are looking for today. With AP Business with Personal Finance, AP Cybersecurity, and AP Networking, students can gain both academic knowledge and career-ready credentials—helping them prepare for future careers while also earning college credit in high school,” said Carol DeFuria, President and CEO of VHS Learning.

Fall 2026 enrollment for VHS Learning courses begins May 6.

To enroll, visit: https://my.vhslearning.org/PublicStudentCourseRegistration.aspx

About VHS Learning

VHS Learning is a nonprofit organization with almost 30 years of experience providing world-class online programs to students and schools everywhere. More than 500 schools around the world take advantage of VHS Learning’s 250+ online high school courses — including 29 AP® courses, credit recovery, and enrichment courses — to expand their programs of study. VHS Learning is accredited by Middle States Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS) and the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC). Courses are approved for initial eligibility by NCAA. For more information about VHS Learning please visit https://www.vhslearning.org/ and follow on Twitter at @VHSLearning.

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Media Contact:

Charlotte Andrist, Nickel Communications

charlotte@nickelcommpr.com

Media Inquiries Only: 770-310-5244

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Charlotte, NC — May 6, 2026 — Zedbud today announced the launch of its unified learning and communication platform, designed to eliminate fragmented systems and bring students, educators, and families into one connected experience.

Across K–12 education, schools rely on a patchwork of disconnected tools:  email, messaging apps, portals, and communication buried inside learning management systems. While each tool serves a purpose, together they create a system that is difficult to manage, hard for families to navigate, and disconnected from the actual learning experience.

The result is more than inefficiency. It leads to missed messages, limited family engagement, and increased workload for educators, ultimately impacting student success. Zedbud was built to solve this structural problem.

From pre-K to graduation day, Zedbud is where learning and communication finally meet.

The platform unifies school communication, student collaboration, and family engagement in one secure, FERPA-compliant environment—designed for real classrooms, real families, and real district oversight.

Instead of separating communication from instruction, Zedbud embeds conversations directly with the learning experience. Discussions happen within assignments, videos, and classroom activities, so communication is no longer an add-on, but part of the learning itself.

One platform. Countless tools replaced.

“K–12 districts don’t have a communication problem; they have a systems problem. Over the last decade, they’ve accumulated dozens of tools that were never designed to work together, creating inefficiency, risk, and missed opportunities for engagement,” said Founder of Zedbud Naveen Gupta. “Zedbud consolidates that complexity into a single, unified platform where communication, collaboration, and learning happen together. The result isn’t just better messaging–it’s measurable gains in efficiency, stronger family engagement, and a system that scales from pre-K to graduation without adding cost or complexity.” 

Built for Real Classrooms, Real Families, and Real District Oversight

Unlike traditional systems that separate messaging from curriculum, Zedbud creates a unified, role-aware environment where communication and collaboration happen in context. Teachers can facilitate discussions directly on learning materials. Students can collaborate in structured, purposeful ways. Families gain visibility into learning, not just announcements. Administrators maintain oversight with flexible, role-based controls.

The platform supports communication across all roles, while allowing districts to define how, when, and where those interactions occur. To ensure equitable access, Zedbud includes real-time translation in over 50 languages, enabling every family to engage in their preferred language without friction.

Key Capabilities Include:

• Contextual Communication — Conversations happen directly on assignments, videos, and learning materials
• Flexible Collaboration — Support for classrooms, small groups, extracurriculars, and custom structures
• Device-Agnostic Access — Seamless use across Chromebooks, mobile, tablet, and desktop
• Seamless Integrations — Connects with existing workflows like Google Classroom and Google Drive.
• Secure, School-Controlled Environment — FERPA-compliant with district-level oversight

“Disconnected communication isn’t just inefficient; it directly impacts student success,” said Chantell Manahan, Director of Technology for the Metropolitan School District of Steuben County, Indiana. “When families lack visibility into learning, or educators are forced to manage multiple systems, students lose out. Zedbud brings everything together into one cohesive experience.”

Grounded in Real-World Educator Insights

To better understand the realities educators face, Zedbud is also gathering input through a national survey launched in partnership with their recent EdWeb webinar. The survey captures firsthand perspectives on communication challenges, tool fragmentation, and family engagement, all insights that are directly shaping the platform’s ongoing development. Complete the survey at: www.zedbud.com/unify

Pilot Program Now Open

Zedbud is actively partnering with school districts and individual schools for the 2026–2027 academic year through a structured pilot program designed to move from initial implementation to confident adoption. Participants will gain early access to the platform, onboarding support, and a defined pathway to evaluate impact across communication, engagement, and operational efficiency. The program is intentionally designed to help districts replace fragmented tools and make informed decisions about long-term implementation. Learn more at: www.zedbud.com/pilot-program

About Zedbud

Zedbud is a unified learning and communication platform built for pre-K–12 education. From pre-K to graduation day, it connects students, educators, families, and administrators in a single, secure environment—eliminating fragmented systems and enabling more effective, inclusive, and engaging learning experiences.

By integrating communication directly into the learning process, Zedbud helps schools improve alignment, increase collaboration, and support better student outcomes. For more information, please go to https://www.zedbud.com

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Media Contact:

Charlotte Andrist, Nickel Communications

charlotte@nickelcommpr.com

Media Inquiries Only: 770-310-5244

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