Founded in 1895, The Association of Educational Publishers (AEP) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving the K-12 educational publishing industry. Our nearly 400 members include the nation's leading providers of learning and teaching resources in all media. Services include information, training, and advocacy that support the development of quality K-12 publications, software and instructional materials. We facilitate communication between key interest groups

such as educators, policy makers, foundations, associations, business and the media. We also work to increase public awareness of the importance of a wide range of learning resources for meeting the needs of all students. For more information, visit www.AEPweb.org

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Welcome to the ILRTD project

Culturally rich learning resources that are relevant and engaging can improve learning outcomes, particularly among at-risk students. An educational publishing industry that mirrors the diversity of America’s classrooms is essential if the goal of educational equity is to be met. Building a diverse workforce requires a systematic and sustained effort. This effort comprises the Improving Learning Resources Through Diversity Project
--- ILRTD project statement

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The Background

The Improving Learning Resources through Diversity project is an initiative of The Association of Educational Publishers (AEP). It is funded in part by the State of Pennsylvania through the Department of Community and Economic Development. 

ILRTD seeks to create jobs and improve educational outcomes through rigorous recruitment of minority professionals into the educational publishing field. This initiative aims to reduce unintended cultural bias in instructional materials by shaping an industry work force that more accurately represents the face of America’s classrooms. Learning resources that are free of unintended cultural bias and are relevant and engaging for all students can: 1) respond to a broader range of student needs; 2) engage all students more effectively; and 3) improve student performance particularly among at-risk groups.

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The Benefits

Collectively, the educational publishing industry touches virtually every school in America. Placing even a few hundred qualified minority candidates at AEP member companies can potentially impact millions of students. Instructional resources that impact the classroom—for better or worse— have a long-term ripple effect on our education system.

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The Basics

ILRTD reaches out to college students, teachers, and other ”second-career” candidates through:

•  An online clearinghouse of information about educational publishing and industry issues and events
•   An online professional networking community and career center
•  Connections to universities, government agencies, community groups and job fairs
•  Internship and scholarship programs and awareness-building events

Information and feedback from these initial services will provide a baseline and blueprint for further expansion. The goal for the initial phase of the ILRTD project is a minimum of 100 qualified minority candidates placed in the educational publishing industry over the next 3 years.