Technology

New Analysis of School Accountability Policies Finds Most States Now Measuring Chronic Absenteeism, College and Career Readiness

Published

16 hours ago

October 3, 2024

Education Commission of the States Releases 50-State Comparison and Assessment Resources for Education Leaders and Policymakers

DENVER, Oct. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Education Commission of the States, a national nonpartisan organization that informs, counsels, and convenes education leaders to create effective education policy, today released a 50-state analysis that found about 75% of states now include chronic absenteeism and college and career readiness as performance indicators in their state systems of school accountability. The inclusion of these measures reflect the shared priorities of policymakers across the nation, regardless of political affiliation.

Federally-mandated school accountability systems serve many purposes, including sharing information, measuring progress toward state and local goals, highlighting gaps in performance between student groups, and identifying schools for support and additional resources.

“In the wake of the pandemic, as schools continue to recover from interrupted instruction and look for ways to support student success, it’s more important than ever for state education leaders and policymakers to capture and communicate a complete picture of student and school performance,” said ECS President José Muñoz. “Our 50-State Comparison aims to equip education leaders with an objective nationwide view of accountability policies and emerging trends that may help inform effective education policy. It also serves as a launching point to convene leaders, across political party lines, to share best practices that lead to excellent education experiences for all students.”

The 50-State Comparison comes as many states update their plans to comply with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Since state ESSA plans were approved, COVID-19 pandemic school closures resulted in a two-year pause on state accountability. Additionally, states have amended their ESSA plans to account for shifting priorities and legislative changes, challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic and implementation lessons. Among the key takeaways from this year’s comparison:

At least 37 states and the District of Columbia include a measure of college and career readiness in their accountability system. Every student should graduate high school prepared for their next step in life, whether that is enrolling in college or entering the workforce. States are measuring how well schools prepare graduates in different ways, ranging from achieving cut scores on college entrance exams to completing early postsecondary opportunities or work-based learning experiences. Georgia captures students entering postsecondary institutions without requiring remedial or developmental coursework in their college and career readiness indicator, while Delaware includes credit accumulation for 9th graders to credit schools for keeping students on track to graduation.

At least 36 states include chronic absenteeism in their accountability system. Chronic absenteeism—students missing 10% or more of school—was a challenge for schools even before the pandemic but has since been exacerbated, reaching a rate of about 31% in 2021-22. Research shows chronic absenteeism can have a major impact on student performance. Earlier this year, the Biden-Harris Administration urged states to adopt strategies to increase attendance, including by adding chronic absenteeism as an indicator in their statewide accountability and improvement systems. Iowa recently adopted an indicator of chronic absenteeism that credits schools for improving attendance rates for students identified as chronically absent in the previous year.

At least 16 states operate a unique state accountability system separate from the accountability system outlined in the state ESSA plan. State plans utilize different metrics, rating systems, and reporting mechanisms. A geographically and politically diverse group of states, like California and Missouri, operate separate state accountability systems that address concerns specific to the state’s unique education context and goals.

States are evolving the way they label and communicate overall school performance, with some shifting away from A-F ratings. States most commonly rate school performance using Descriptive Ratings, like “below expectations” or “meets expectations” (13 states), Index Ratings (12 states and the District of Columbia) and Federal Tiers of Support (14 states). Six states use A-F ratings and four states use 1-5 star ratings. The most notable change over time is a shift away from using A-F ratings. This year, for example, two fewer states—Indiana and Michigan—are using A-F ratings.

You can view the full findings of the comparison here.

In addition to the 50-State Comparison, ECS has published key information for state leaders on student assessment and a Special Report that explores federal assessment requirements, flexibilities and ways that states use assessment as a measurement tool to inform policy.

You can view all resources here.

About Education Commission of the States

Education Commission of the States (ECS) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that serves as a partner to state policymakers by providing personalized support and opportunities to learn from one another. Through their resources and services, policymakers gain the insight and experience needed to create effective education policy. Learn more at ecs.org.

CONTACT: Thomas Rodgers, 601-334-6655, thomas@whiteboardadvisors.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-analysis-of-school-accountability-policies-finds-most-states-now-measuring-chronic-absenteeism-college-and-career-readiness-302267019.html

SOURCE Education Commission of the States

Technology

Prime Securities Forays into Wealth Management

Published

47 mins ago

October 4, 2024

MUMBAI, India, Oct. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Prime Securities Ltd. (PSL https://primesec.com/ ), a SEBI registered Category-I Merchant Banker, is expanding its reach within the financial services sector by entering the wealth management business through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Prime Trigen Wealth Ltd. (PTWL). This strategic move aims to tap into new growth opportunities with significant scalability potential.

PTWL has roped in industry veterans Mr. Sailesh Balachandran and Mr. Maneesh Kapoor as Executive Director, Founders and Joint-CEO, to take charge of its Wealth Management business. PTWL will initially launch in NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai, with plans to gradually expand its services to the top Tier 1 and Tier 2 wealth destinations across the country.

Sailesh Balachandran, with 24 years of experience in the Banking and Financial Services sector, was previously Managing Director and Head of South India at LGT Wealth India. His past roles have spanned across ICICI Securities Private Wealth and HSBC Bank.

Maneesh Kapoor brings over 24 years of experience in the Banking and Financial Services industry, having served as a Senior Managing Partner at InCred wealth and Business Head for North and East India at LGT Wealth, in his previous roles. His career also includes holding key leadership positions at ICICI Securities Private wealth and ICICI Bank Ltd.

Maneesh and Sailesh’s extensive expertise and proven leadership abilities have consistently driven success and innovation in the industry. They have the experience of building and scaling business and capabilities across India, leading teams that included nearly 70 exceptional private bankers and over $1.5 billion of assets under management.

In a joint statement, Maneesh and Sailesh expressed their excitement about joining PTWL: “We are delighted to be part of the founding team of Prime Trigen Wealth. We keenly look forward to building a comprehensive, high-tech enabled and RM-led wealth management practice dedicated to serving the rapidly growing HNI, Ultra HNI and Family Offices across India. Prime’s entrepreneurial spirit and agility provide the ideal environment for creating a robust wealth business. Furthermore, the synergy with Prime’s full-service investment banking offerings will enable us to deliver unique and unparalleled solutions to our clients.”

Akshay Gupta, Director of Prime Securities, added, “The Wealth Management business will complement our existing services and provide synergistic value to Prime Group’s shareholders. Our clients, both current and new, will benefit from Prime’s decades of expertise in investment banking and corporate and family office advisory, allowing us to offer bespoke solutions in an increasingly crowded wealth management market.”

Prime Securities is a well-respected name in business, corporate, and family business circles, having collaborated with some of India’s most prominent industry leaders as well as new-age entrepreneurs and businesses. The rise of Gen-AI, along with the emergence of wealthy new-age businesses and the growing segments of High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNI) and Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (Ultra HNI), highlights the significant wealth creation occurring in the country. With its extensive capabilities, robust network, and established credentials, Prime Securities recognizes the increasing demand for professional services tailored to India’s wealthy clients and is strategically positioned to capitalize on this market opportunity.

About Prime Securities Limited (NSE: PRIMESECU) (BSE: 500337)

Prime Securities Limited (“Prime”) is a SEBI registered Category-I Merchant Banker since almost 3 decades. Prime is among the top pure play Investment Banking (IB) outfits in India. Prime offers wide and diverse service offering that includes facilitating equity and debt capital, M&A advisory, QIPs, debt syndication, structured credit, restructurings & resolutions, rights issues, buybacks, open offers, delisting, etc. Prime is listed on BSE Limited and National Stock Exchange of India Limited since 1995.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2523372/Prime_Securities_Logo.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/prime-securities-forays-into-wealth-management-302267590.html

Technology

Vieworks to Showcase VT Sense Series at VISION 2024

Published

47 mins ago

October 4, 2024

ANYANG, South Korea, Oct. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Vieworks, a leading manufacturer of industrial cameras, is set to introduce its latest innovations at VISION 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany (booth 10E30, October 8th – 10th). Vieworks will showcase a broad selection of industrial cameras and lenses, including the highly anticipated VT Sense Series.

As a pioneer in industrial cameras, Vieworks will present a wide range of area scan cameras, with resolution from 0.4 megapixel to 1152 megapixels. The latest VZ Series is a family of compact cameras with GigE and USB 3.0 interfaces, ideal for automated inspection systems across multiple industries.

Among the highlights of Vieworks’ cameras will be the TDI (time delayed integration) line scan cameras, renowned for their exceptional sensitivity achieved through up to 256 stages of integration. Available in M42, M58, M72, and M95 mounts from 2k to 23k resolution, these TDI line scan cameras are suitable for various applications in low-light environments.

At the forefront of the TDI line scan lineup is the latest VT Sense Series, equipped with BSI (back-side illuminated) sensors for even higher sensitivity. This newest series boasts unmatched sensitivity as well as excellent quantum efficiency (QE) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The back-side illuminated VT Sense ensures superior image quality in visible, UV (ultraviolet), and NIR (near-infrared) spectrum.

In addition to the camera lineup, Vieworks will also highlight its VEO Series, a family of industrial lenses codeveloped with Schneider Kreuznach. VEO Series is precisely designed to maximize the performance of Vieworks’ cameras.

“We are more than thrilled to introduce the all-new VT Sense Series at VISION 2024 and hear what our customers have to say. VISION serves as a great opportunity to engage with our partners,” a Vieworks spokesperson remarked. “Our goal for VISION 2024 remains clear: continuing our efforts on being our customers’ vision partner and delivering the vision solution to suit their needs.”

The world’s leading trade fair for machine vision, the two-year cycle VISION anticipates yet another record-breaking attendance in 2024.

About Vieworks Co., Ltd.

With industry-leading technology, Vieworks provides machine vision solutions encompassing industrial cameras, industrial lenses, and machine vision accessories. As your vision partner, Vieworks offers innovative vision and insight for your vision system. For more information, please visit vision.vieworks.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vieworks-to-showcase-vt-sense-series-at-vision-2024-302263783.html

SOURCE Vieworks Co., Ltd.

Technology

A23 rolls out India’s Biggest Rummy Festival ahead of the festive season; offers ₹100 crore prize pool

Published

47 mins ago

October 4, 2024

A23– a premier rummy platform offers mega prizes for rummy enthusiasts with a whooping first prize of ₹1 crore

BENGALURU, India, Oct. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Ushering in the festive season, A23 (Head Digital Works), India’s leading skilled gaming platform with more than 70 million registered users, announced the launch of A23 Rummy Maha Mela, a hundred-day long online rummy extravaganza starting October 5 to January 12, 2025. This mega event is the first of its kind and is slated to be the biggest online rummy celebration this festive season, offering an array of exciting rewards and experiences for rummy enthusiasts across India.

During the A23 Rummy Maha Mela, players can showcase their rummy skills and get the opportunity to compete for luxurious prizes, including a BMW car, XUV700s, Royal Enfield motorcycles, gold coins, iPhones and loads of cash prizes. The A23 Rummy Maha Mela is designed to be the ultimate online rummy festival, featuring a combination of challenges, leaderboards and tournaments where winners will be presented with exciting rewards, cash prizes and much more.

The Maha Mela aims to elevate the gaming experience for every rummy enthusiast by providing high-value rewards that add to the festive cheer.

The A23 Rummy Maha Mela will culminate into an offline mega finale, also considered a highly anticipated event for rummy enthusiasts. Top 36 finalists from the online competitions will get an opportunity to compete in an offline format at an exotic location, to be revealed soon. The offline finale is scheduled to take place after January 12, 2025, and promises to be an exciting culmination of the festival, bringing together the top rummy players from across the country.

Commenting on the mega event, Deepak Gullapalli, Founder & CEO, A23 (Head Digital Works), said, “We’ve witnessed a growing popularity of online rummy in India. The festive season is the perfect time to bring in cheer to families across India and for us, A23 Rummy Maha Mela is not only an occasion to celebrate our loyal customer base but also rummy enthusiasts and the A23 family at large. Through this festival, players can showcase their rummy skills and celebrate all through the festive season with mega wins. The mela is designed to celebrate the spirit of rummy and offer unparalleled rewards and experiences to players. This, coupled with A23 being a trusted rummy platform is sure to set a new benchmark in the online gaming industry.”

Along with the Rummy Maha Mela, the premier rummy platform will also be kicking off multiple video campaigns to capture the attention of rummy aficionados. Customers can keep a tab on the offers available through A23’s official app, website and social media handles.

About Head Digital Works

Head Digital Works is India’s oldest online skill-gaming company that develops and operates platforms like A23 Rummy, A23 Poker and Cricket.com. A23 has over 70 million registered users across India and is the first-ever website to launch the classical Indian Rummy. A23 is on a mission to promote Rummy as a professional game and create a community of skilled gamers.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2523224/A23_Rummy_Maha_Mela.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/a23-rolls-out-indias-biggest-rummy-festival-ahead-of-the-festive-season-offers-100-crore-prize-pool-302267596.html