September 13, 2005
dgordon@cast.org
40 Harvard Mills Square, Suite 3
Wakefield, MA 01880
Tel: 781-245-2212 ext. 279
Educational technology industry leaders honor CAST for “significant positive impact”
Wakefield, Mass., Sept. 13, 2005— CAST was named winner today of the 2005 EdNET HERO Award for nonprofits by leaders in the educational technology and publishing industries.
The annual award, sponsored by The Heller Reports, recognizes organizations that demonstrate a “significant positive impact on education through educational technology and telecommunications.”
CAST accepted the honor today at the 13th annual EdNET Conference in San Diego, Calif., where education industry executives, school administrators, and policymakers from across the United States are gathered to explore new technology solutions for education.
“CAST is delighted and honored to receive the prestigious EdNET HERO award,” said CAST’s president Ada Sullivan. “This sign of support and confidence from private industry will encourage us as we explore ways to expand learning opportunities for all students, especially those with disabilities, through Universal Design for Learning.”
The seven-member panel of judges called CAST a "model" for the HERO award, celebrating its "staying power and unique approach."
"CAST is clearly making an impact on a diverse—and sometimes neglected—group of students," the judges’ statement said.
In particular, they cited CAST’s role as the originator of Universal Design for Learning and its contributions to award-winning, universally designed educational software such as WiggleWorks® (Scholastic) and Thinking Reader® (Tom Snyder/Scholastic).
Past EdNET HERO nonprofit winners include NASA Center for Distance Learning, Consortium for School Networking, ThinkQuest, iEARN, EDC, and Global Schoolnet.
About EdNET
EdNET is a national education conference that brings together education executives, school administrators, and policymakers to discuss what’s ahead in the education market. The Heller Reports™, a QED company, created the awards program in 1992 to champion organizations helping to revitalize education. For more information, go to www.hellerreports.com.
About CAST
CAST is a nonprofit education R&D organization that works to expand learning opportunities for all individuals, especially those with disabilities, through the development of innovative, technology-based educational resources and strategies. To learn more, go to www.cast.org.
