Through both partnerships, member schools have access to the ISS EDUlearn® School Passport at discounted rates. The Passport gives schools access to hundreds of online courses for teachers, school leaders, and other staff, with new courses being added each week during the school year.
Making the Passport more affordable is part of the goal, but the partnerships are about more than access to a platform.
We are also working with CEESA and the Tri-Association to understand what their schools are focused on and where ISS can help. That means looking at the priorities of each region and developing learning opportunities that support the work schools are already doing.
Regional associations have always been an important part of the international school community. They know their schools, understand the challenges they are facing, and create opportunities for educators to connect and learn from one another. ISS has worked with these organizations and their member schools for many years, and we value the perspective they bring.
Dr. Robert Sims, Executive Director of CEESA, describes the partnership this way:
“CEESA has always endeavored to provide its schools with real connections and the highest quality professional learning through its workshops, conferences, and online connections. Through our partnership with ISS, we are working to enhance CEESA’s own offerings, with those of one of our long-standing partners in international education. The ISS EDUlearn® Passport perfectly meets the needs of our diverse group of schools by expanding their access to a wonderful range of experts and topics, while still staying true to our own unique region.”
The CEESA and Tri partnerships give us a chance to combine that regional knowledge with the resources ISS can provide. In some cases, that may mean creating learning around a specific topic schools have identified. In others, it may simply mean giving more people within a school access to professional learning without requiring additional travel or a large professional development budget.
Dr. Michael Adams, Executive Director of the Tri-Association, points to that accessibility as one of the strengths of the partnership:
“The Tri-Association is proud to support the ISS EDUlearn® Passport because it provides educators with high-quality, relevant professional learning that is flexible, accessible, and asynchronous. Through our partnership with ISS, Tri-Association schools have access to this valuable professional development opportunity at a significantly reduced cost, making it an exceptional value for our member schools. We believe ISS Passport offers educators an outstanding opportunity to learn, grow, and strengthen their practice—on their own time, at their own pace, and at a cost that makes participation accessible.”
The School Passport is particularly useful in that respect. Because access is school-wide, learning is not limited to the handful of people who may be able to attend a conference or workshop. Schools can use the courses throughout the year, across different roles and departments, and as needs come up.
For ISS, these partnerships are also a continuation of something we have been doing throughout our history: working with schools and international school organizations to find practical ways to support the community.