Contact:

Lan Neugent
Interim Executive Director
202-715-6636 x706
[email protected]

For Immediate Release

SETDA Launches Digital Instructional Materials Acquisition Policies for States (DMAPS) Portal

A free online tool for educators, policy makers and the private sector to support clear understanding of state policies and practices related to digital instructional materials. 

October 8, 2015 (Washington, D.C.) – SETDA, the principal membership association of the U.S. state and territorial educational technology leaders, today announced the launch of a free, online tool to support the implementation of digital instructional materials. Educators, policy makers and the private sector will benefit from organized and accessible information regarding acquisition of digital instructional materials, including state guidance and policies, procurement, funding and digital learning resources for all 50 states, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands. This work supports state and district leaders’ understanding of state policies and can potentially impact policy changes related to procuring instructional materials (including non-traditional instructional materials, such as digital content) to best meet the individual needs of students..

“Our intent in releasing the DMAPS portal is to help schools and districts implement digital instructional materials more efficiently and effectively,” shared Lan Neugent, SETDA’s Interim Executive Director. “It is essential that leaders understand all options related to adoption and implementation of tools and resources to support learning in the digital age.”

The DMAPS Portal is free to access here: http://www-setda-org.www.setda.org.

DMAPS was developed through the expertise and efforts of state leaders responsible for procurement, instructional materials and educational technology and in collaboration with experts in the field. Site highlights include: a snapshot overview of policies/practices for each state, the ability to identify state trends, and to compare states through individual state profiles.

“We are always looking for ways to open new doors of opportunity for students, to accelerate learning, and to help staff work smarter, not harder. Digital learning materials are important tools in achieving these important outcomes,” shared Dr. Amy Fowler, Deputy Secretary, Vermont Agency of Education.

A national report, which complements this work and identifies national trends will be released on October 26, 2015 at SETDA’s annual, invitation only Leadership Summit.

About SETDA

Founded in 2001, the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) is the principal non-profit membership association representing U.S. state and territorial educational technology leaders. Our mission is to build and increase the capacity of state and national leaders to improve education through technology policy and practice. For more information, please visit: setda.org.