Dear Affiliate Leaders,

For those who were able to join Richard and me for the call this morning, thank you for your time and thoughtful questions.  For those unable to attend, we are excited to share some news! 

As we emerge from the global pandemic, ISTE has taken the opportunity to reevaluate our role in the broader education community. One of the silver linings of the pandemic was a dramatic improvement of infrastructure for learning. Over 90% of schools in the US are now 1:1 (nearly double pre-pandemic levels). Technology is no longer an optional add-on, but a key tool for all learning.  As such, we believe that it is critical for ISTE to be more engaged with education leaders – particularly those who oversee the instructional experiences in schools.  

After careful consideration and a comprehensive due diligence process, the ISTE Board of Directors has voted to merge with ASCD, the standard bearer for instructional leadership at the school and district levels. This merger will allow ISTE to bring the innovation and effective strategies for using technology to support learning to the broader education community. While the new combined organization (name still TBD) will be governed by a single board and CEO, ISTE and ASCD will continue to operate as independent brands and communities. And though the organizations will remain unique, there will be exciting opportunities to leverage the synergies of the talents of both communities moving forward. ISTE’s CEO, Richard Culatta, has been selected to lead the newly formed organization.

While the ISTE and ASCD boards voted unanimously to proceed with the merger, the ASCD bylaws require a member vote preceded by a 45-day consideration period. An ASCD member vote is scheduled in November, and if the vote is successful, the merger process will begin in January 2023.

In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions and feedback via the Community Merger Feedback Form. We always value the input and ideas from our community and will continue to share additional information with you throughout the process. Thank you for your ongoing participation in the ISTE community and your service to the field.

Sincerely,

Marci

Marci M. Price

Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships
(571) 418-0298

iste.org
edsurge.com