Introduction: About the School Division
Members of the AAP School Division publish instructional and assessment materials, in a variety of print and electronic formats, for the elementary and secondary grade levels (pre-kindergarten through 12th grade). The Division works to enhance the role of instructional materials in the pre-collegiate educational process, to increase funding for instructional materials, and to form a bridge between publishers, the educational community, and the public.
Two of the School Division's primary goals are gaining increased funding for instructional materials and simplifying state adoption procedures for textbooks and instructional materials. The School Division monitors current legislation on issues such as standards, testing, and funding and keeps publishers informed when changes occur. The Division also maintains an effective network of legislative advocates who work with school officials and policy makers at the state and local levels to support the interests of educational publishers. As a result of increased federal interest in elementary and high school education, the School Division and the AAP Washington Office work closely to make the views of AAP's educational publishers on issues such as funding, testing, curriculum and literacy known to Congress and Administration policy makers.
In addition to sponsoring seminars that keep publishers and educators informed, the School Division works to acquaint the public with issues that concern educational publishers. In 1995, the School Division conducted a nation-wide survey of teachers and found that millions of American school children either do not have textbooks or use books that are outdated, in some cases by more than 20 years. The survey results were compiled in a video titled Crisis in the Classroom and reported nationwide on television, radio and in newspapers, raising awareness of the crisis among both the public and policy makers responsible for state budgets. The Division also supports the creation of informative publications for schools and parents, such as The ABC's of School Testing, a video that addresses questions that parents frequently ask about educational tests.
For more information contact:
Jay DiskeyEmail: jdiskey@publishers.org