>>14518453

>Newsela

When Matthew Gross saw his second-grade son struggling to read, he knew he wanted to do something to make learning more engaging and fun.

At the time, the former teacher was working for Regents Research Fund, which was helping to develop the Common Core education program for New York State and he was growing frustrated by the textbook publishers that failed to keep up with the new curriculum.

In 2013, he launched Newsela, an education startup that rewrites news articles, historical speeches and scientific papers for students at different reading levels to help them learn to read.

The online program is free for students, but a paid premium version is available to schools. In April, Newsela announced it was expanding its premium version to include a program that helps foster students' social and emotional learning skills.

Today, Newsela says its software has been used by teachers in over 90% of K-12 schools in the US.

'Nuff Said.

https://money.cnn.com/2018/06/15/technology/startups/matthew-gross-newsela-ceo/index.html

https://archive.ph/eG2Xx

https://newsela.com/about/company/team/

>>14518525 (me)

Article from Nov. 23, 2013

Albany

A team of two dozen well-paid analysts embedded in the State Education Department is having a dramatic impact on a reform agenda that's causing controversy throughout New York.

None are public servants.

Supported with $19 million in donations from some of the nation's wealthiest philanthropists, the Regents Research Fund team makes up a little-known think tank within the education agency. It is helping drive reforms that affect the state's 3.1 million public school students and employees of almost 700 school districts.

The three-year-old operation, which now comprises 27 full-time staffers and a half-time intern, is unique in public education systems nationwide.

The group is an institute charged with helping the state Board of Regents and Education Commissioner John B. King Jr. find ways to improve student performance and ensure graduates are ready for college or careers.

Barely heard of outside education circles and a mystery even within them, the "Regent fellows" are paid from entities such as the Gates Foundation and some salaries approach $200,000 a year. The arrangement is stirring concern in some quarters that deep-pocketed pedagogues are forcing their reform philosophies on an unwitting populace, and making an end run around government officers.

https://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Education-reform-backed-by-the-wealthy-5006670.php

https://archive.ph/NXwBi

>>14518525 (me) Moar on Matthew Gross and Regents Research Fund.

Four Fellows hired so far work full-time out of the SED’s offices in New York City. Last month, SED announced that Matthew Gross will serve as executive director of the Regents Research Fund to administer the Fellow’s program as well as other philanthropic initiatives of the Regents.

Gross said SED staff has given him a lengthy to-do list for the Fellows.

“There’s such a huge need for research and analysis and design work at SED, considering the massive reform agenda they have on their hands,” he told On Board. “They’re very happy to have some extra hands tackling the problem.”

Gross expects the Fellows program to be fully staffed in six to 12 months. He’s optimistic the money will come through: “The philanthropic community is very enthusiastic about the idea of making a relatively modest investment to ensure these reforms are going to have as much of an impact as possible on the state’s 3 million school children,” he said. “We feel we have one very good shot to get this right and this program is going to help do that.”

Gross previously served as vice president for planning and resource development at PENCIL, which improves public schools by leveraging the skills and expertise of the business community. He began his career at Teach For America. He will earn $142,000.

The first four recipients of Regents Research Fellowships are: Kristen Huff, senior fellow for assessment; Amy McIntosh, senior fellow for teacher and principal effectiveness; Peter Swerdzewski, fellow for assessment; and Julia Rafal, fellow for teacher and principal effectiveness.

https://www.nyssba.org/index.php?src=news&refno=1605&category=On

90% of Schools are using this guy's software. Sounds like a visit to the next School Board Meeting is in order.

>>14518571

"Analysts" sounds so much better than "owned beotches".

>>14518725

>Paul Eaten

HuffPo: Eaton is an adviser to the progressive group VoteVets, which has taken out ads attacking Trump on a number of issues related to the military, including Trump’s treatment of the troops.

FEC filings - raised +$36 Million for the 2020 election cycle. Spent +$30 Million

(two screenshots of FEC.gov b/c the entire page screenshot obscured bottom data)

https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00418897/?cycle=2020&tab=summary

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/paul-eaton-trump-military-losers_n_5f51da86c5b6578026cbe159