Edmentum and Total Package Hockey Partner to Support Student-Athlete Success

Total Package Hockey student-athletes who studied through EdOptions Academy achieved a 100% graduation rate over past two years

MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Edmentum, a global education leader and a pioneer in online teaching and learning solutions, has announced a partnership with Total Package Hockey (TPH), the leading hockey service provider in positively impacting the lives of student-athletes through hockey. This innovative partnership brings together TPH’s commitment to the academic success of student-athletes and Edmentum’s extensive history in digital curriculum, adaptive assessments, and educational consulting. This unique blend of core instruction and mentoring is designed to facilitate a positive, individualized approach to learning.

Total Package Hockey will use Edmentum’s EdOptions Academy to drive forward academic support of student-athletes within TPH Centers of Excellence. Edmentum’s EdOptions Academy is fully accredited through AdvancEd®. Highly qualified, state-certified teachers experienced in online instruction deliver research-based curricula through a wholly virtual environment. TPH Centers of Excellence are focused environments where dedicated student-athletes train with innovative hockey training methods, play to their fullest potential, and study through blending online learning with EdOptions Academy.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the tremendous team at Total Package Hockey,” said Ryan Hagedorn, Edmentum’s chief operating officer. “We know that every student’s learning journey is different, and we are committed to providing high-quality curriculum and instruction that is flexible enough to meet each of student’s unique needs. We are honored to be a part of TPH’s innovative and engaging program for student-athletes.”

Student-athletes are offered a one-of-a-kind, personalized experience that affords the flexibility to succeed in a blended learning environment. Regularly scheduled live lessons, weekly goal setting, tutoring sessions, and virtual office hours all work together to ensure that students feel supported and engaged every step of the way. Students are presented with a wide range of core, college preparatory, and Advanced Placement® courses, all of which are NCAA® approved. Additionally, students have easy access to a dedicated guidance counselor during their academic journey, ensuring compliance with NCAA Eligibility Center requirements.

“This unique and powerful partnership combines proven, accredited online learning with hands-on, state-of-the-art training and instruction,” said Nathan Bowen, Total Package Hockey chief executive officer. “We are tremendously proud of our Centers of Excellence, our team, and the success experienced through our work with Edmentum.”

In just six years, four Center of Excellence alumni have been drafted to the National Hockey League (NHL), and 35 have made NCAA commitments. What’s more, over the last two years, TPH student-athletes who studied through EdOptions Academy achieved a 100-percent graduation rate, while the Center of Excellence model has helped produce student-athletes committed to or currently attending 18 universities listed in U.S. News’ Best National Universities.

About Edmentum

Edmentum, Inc., is committed to making it easier for educators to individualize learning for every student through simple technology, high-quality content, and actionable data. Founded in innovation, Edmentum’s powerful learning programs blend technology with individual teaching approaches. Edmentum is committed to being educators’ most trusted partner in creating successful student outcomes everywhere learning occurs. Edmentum solutions currently support educators and students in more than 40,000 schools nationwide. For more information, visit edmentum.com.

About Total Package Hockey

Founded in 2001, it is TPH’s vision to become the world leader in positively impacting the lives of student-athletes through the game of hockey. Through academics, mentorship, and athletics, TPH prides itself on operating at a standard that exceeds expectations of student-athletes, families, coaches, advisors, and all other entities of the hockey world. With platforms that include association management, elite prospects programs, tournaments and showcases, camps and clinics, and its hallmark Center of Excellence academy model, Total Package Hockey has assisted in the academic, athletic and hockey development of over 600 players who have advanced to junior, collegiate, and professional hockey. For more information, visit www.totalpackagehockey.com/.

Total Package Hockey and TPH are trademarks of Innovative V LLC.

AdvancED is a trademark of Advance Education, Inc.

Advanced Placement is a trademark of the College Board.

NCAA is a trademark of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Edmentum and EdOptions Academy are trademarks of Edmentum, Inc.

TPH Academic Partner Ranked #1

Edmentum has taken first place on the Quality Matters Scoreboard with 127 QM-certified courses for 2019.

MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Edmentum, a global education leader and pioneer in online teaching and learning solutions, now holds the #1 spot on the Quality Matters Publisher Certification Scoreboard for highest number of courses holding a Quality Matters (QM) Certification Mark, with 127 courses approved. In 2019 alone, 40 Edmentum courses were newly certified. Edmentum’s online courses, accessible through both Courseware and EdOptions Academy, provide solid, research-based curricula built from the ground up to align with state-specific academic standards and online learning best practices to empower student success.

Quality Matters (QM) utilizes its nationally recognized Rubric to measure the design efficacy and alignment of critical components in K–12 educational courses. The QM K–12 Publisher Rubric measures 39 different education Standards, with seven of those Standards considered “Essential.” Reviews are conducted by QM-Certified K–12 Course Reviewers—a course earns the QM Certification Mark once it meets QM Rubric Standards at the 85 percent threshold or better and meets all Essential Standards. Quality Matters has also reviewed each course for proficiency against the 52 iNACOL National Standards for Quality Online Courses that have been utilized nationally. All 127 of Edmentum’s QM-certified courses are now listed in the QM directory of certified courses.

“We are very excited to be at the top of the Quality Matters Publisher Certification Scoreboard for the 2019–20 school year,” said Shane Dennison, state and federal programs manager at Edmentum. “We are committed to providing the highest-quality online courses, and it feels great to have that hard work recognized with these course certifications.”

The QM Certification Mark is the nationally recognized symbol of online and blended course-design quality, and it represents a research-based approach to creating learning environments that provide learners with a clear pathway to success. Seven U.S. states directly utilize the QM review process and findings for their K–12 course approvals, while several others indirectly utilize the QM K–12 Publisher Rubric.

About Edmentum

Edmentum, Inc., is committed to making it easier for educators to individualize learning for every student through simple technology, high-quality content, and actionable data. Founded in innovation, Edmentum’s powerful learning programs blend technology with individual teaching approaches. Edmentum is committed to being educators’ most trusted partner in creating successful student outcomes everywhere learning occurs. Edmentum solutions currently support educators and students in more than 40,000 schools nationwide. For more information, visit edmentum.com.

About Quality Matters

Quality Matters (QM) is the global organization leading quality assurance in online and innovative digital teaching and learning environments. It provides a scalable quality assurance system for online and blended learning used within and across organizations. When you see QM Certification Marks on courses or programs, it means they have met QM Course Design Standards or QM Program Review Criteria in a rigorous review process.

Read original article at: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190827005144/en/Edmentum-Claims-1-Spot-Quality-Matters-Publisher

Edmentum CEO Jamie Candee Ranked in Top 25 Education Software CEOs of 2019

The Software Report is delighted to announce The Top 25 Education Software CEOs of 2019. The following individuals represent excellence in the field of education technology and organizational leadership. Many of the awardees have demonstrated a deep commitment to the education and training sector and a passion for improving learning outcomes in local, global and corporate areas. Just as important, these CEOs are superb leaders who inspire their teams day in and day out and who can navigate the complex from executing market expansion strategies to undertaking multiple acquisition integrations.

Thank you to all those who submitted nominations on behalf of their CEO, your insights are invaluable in forming a clearer picture of an executive’s capabilities.

Please join us in congratulating this year’s awardees.

2. Jamie Candee, Edmentum

Before she was CEO, Jamie Candee had built her career step by step as she took on various roles in the Edmentum organization. In 2005, she started her career with the ed-tech company in their human resources department. From there, she moved on to serve as Director of Sales and Service Effectiveness, followed by VP of Product Development, and then SVP of Sales and Marketing before she became Chief Revenue Officer in 2012.

Candee took some time away from the ed-tech organization to step into her first chief executive officer role with Questar Assessment, a provider of educational assessment programs. During her three-year tenure as CEO, she led efforts to develop IT training and mentorship programs for Minnesota students through her partnerships within the business community. In 2017, she returned to Edmentum to serve as CEO of the online education provider.

Candee is well known for both her drive and passion for education technology. In a 2017 interview, she shared some of her early experiences with working her way to the top. “I was 21 and told my manager (I was in banking at the time) that I wanted to run a company as CEO. He told me I was aiming too high. From that moment, I crafted my plan and relentlessly focused on achieving that outcome. To run an education technology company as CEO is my absolute dream.”

Read full article at: https://www.thesoftwarereport.com/the-top-25-education-software-ceos-of-2019/

The Center of Excellence Model Heads to the Desert

Total Package Hockey is pleased to announce that its eighth Center of Excellence will be housed inside the Ice Den in North Scottsdale, AZ.  TPH and Coyotes Ice LLC, have joined forces to bring its Study, Train, Play academy-style model to the desert for the 2020-2021 school year.

“The Phoenix area is a growing hockey market and we couldn’t be more excited to become a part of the Arizona hockey landscape,” TPH CEO Nathan Bowen said.  “We are grateful for the opportunity to bring the Center of Excellence to a community like North Scottsdale and be housed in an immaculate, state-of-the-art hockey facility like the Ice Den Scottsdale.  The area is flourishing with youth hockey players and the market itself is second to none.  Being part of the fabric of North Scottsdale and its surrounding communities, as well as having a partner who is as passionate and progressive as Taylor Burke means we are positioned to continue exceeding expectations of student-athletes, their families and all members of the hockey community.  This is a great day for TPH, one we have been working towards for a long time.”

Bowen references Taylor Burke, a Minnesota native with an impressive business and philanthropical resume.  The Burke family was responsible for the birth of the NHL Coyotes, spearheading Winnipeg’s relocation to the desert in 1996.  Shortly after the team relocated, the family built the Ice Den Scottsdale which resulted in an immediate impact and changed the youth hockey landscape in the state.  In 2011, program growth demanded the addition of a third sheet of ice, followed in 2014 by the acquisition of a second two sheet facility in the southeast valley.  Over 20 seasons later, the building remains the Official Practice Facility of the Arizona Coyotes and offers hockey and skating programming for all ages and abilities.  Constantly evolving and adapting to the needs of its players and skaters has been a key to the facility’s success.

In addition to offering quality programming, investing in the community remains top priority for the family.  Since its inception in 1996, the Burke Family Foundation has directed its philanthropic efforts to partnerships and programs committed to providing and enhancing resources in the areas of health, education and athletics.

Still considered by some as a non-traditional hockey market, keeping top hockey prospects in the State of Arizona has in some cases proved a challenge.  Burke believes the addition of the Center of Excellence to the Phoenix market will help entice the area’s youth to pursue their hockey goals, but remain at home in the process.

“Our motivation for partnering with TPH is to provide driven hockey players across all youth associations opportunities to master a sport that teaches so many valuable life lessons,” Burke said.  “In partnering with TPH, we are providing the next level of that and so much more.  Young hockey players in our area who have dreams of playing at the highest levels of hockey now have an elite-level training and academic learning option right in our backyard.  The CoE model will incentivize families to keep their young hockey players at home, maintain the quality lifestyle the Phoenix metro area offers all of us and provide their sons and daughters access to a hockey academy that is truly cutting-edge.  TPH’s arrival is a great win for hockey families across the entire Arizona hockey community.”

The “cutting-edge” program Burke speaks to references TPH’s on and off-ice Hockey-Athlete training curriculum, as well as its completely individualized, customized blended academic learning experience through Edmentum.  Student-athletes attend the Center of Excellence on a clock similar to traditional school and receive elite-level hockey training and mentorship, all while studying in a learning environment that blends a proven, NCAA-accredited online learning platform with on-site academic leadership.

It is important to note that from an academic perspective, the Center of Excellence is not a “home school,” nor is it a “virtual school.”  The CoE is a blended learning environment that utilizes an online platform to maximize academic development and outcomes customized for each individual student-athlete.

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It is important to note that from an academic perspective, the Center of Excellence is not a “home school,” nor is it a “virtual school.”  The CoE is a blended learning environment that utilizes an online platform to maximize academic development and outcomes customized for each individual student-athlete.

“The CoE model creates a best-of-both-world’s scenario,” Nathan Bowen explained.  “Student-athletes complete their coursework online and have the option to take school home or on the road with them every day, with no fear of days missed due to their travels.  At the same time, when student-athletes are on-site, they study under the direction of an academic leader who is focused on fostering a positive culture, maintaining accountability and putting a learning plan in place for each individual based on where, when and how he or she works best.  Our layered academic approach ensures that when it’s time for our student-athletes to focus on hockey, whether its training at the CoE, practicing with their club teams or jumping on a plane to travel to games, they are on-pace or ahead in their courses.”

The process of implementing everything Bowen referenced is well underway.  From a facility standpoint, Coyotes Ice President Mike O’Hearn says preparations are being made at the Ice Den Scottsdale as we speak.

“The collective vision of Coyotes Ice and TPH, is to create a one-stop-shop on the Ice Den grounds for all CoE attendees,” O’Hearn said.  “We have identified space that will house a state-of-the-art academic wing and training center, both within steps of the ice arena’s main doors.  We plan to offer on-site lunch plans, athlete-friendly snacks and a space for video sessions.  This vision is in line with TPH’s philosophy of creating mini-campus style setups within their CoE locations.  Our hope is that the TPH-Phoenix Center of Excellence will set the standard for what a CoE should look like.”

Even though the 2020-2021 school year is roughly nine months away, TPH will be releasing a variety of informational materials and will be scheduling a handful of both virtual and on-site open house events over the next several weeks.  In the meantime, CEO Bowen hopes that Phoenix area hockey families will build up a sense of intrigue and give him and his team the opportunity to “show” the hockey community how the Center of Excellence will impact the aspiring elite hockey player, athlete, student and person.

“The vision of Total Package Hockey is to become the world leader in positively impacting the lives of student-athletes through the game of hockey.  From being around Taylor and his team as well as interacting with others in the market, it is evident that in North Scottsdale and the surrounding areas, there is both passion and an expectation for doing things the right way.  The CoE model is by no means perfect, but we believe it has the power to change lives for the aspiring elite hockey player, on the ice, in the weight room, in the classroom and most importantly, in the ultimate game- the game of life.”

TPH invites all interested Phoenix Center of Excellence candidates to visit the links below.

TPH Center of Excellence Brochure