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Gift of Hope Celebrates National Minority Donor Awareness Week With “Faces of Hope” Awards

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Gift of Hope Celebrates National Minority Donor Awareness Week With “Faces of Hope” Awards

Awards Ceremony To Celebrate High Donor Authorization Rate Among Latinos and Recognize Key Contributors  


CHICAGO, Aug. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network kicked off National Minority Donor Awareness week, (August 1-7), with the inaugural “Faces of Hope” Awards ceremony on July 31st. The “Faces of Hope” distinction was awarded to Chicago city officials and professionals who through their work have delivered long-term benefits to Hispanics and to the area of organ donation and transplantation. During this week, Gift of Hope will also honor the generosity of multicultural donors and their families. As part of the event, Fernando Martinez’ poignant testimony about how his wife and Heroine saved his life, underscored the critical need for Latinos to register their decision to save lives through organ and tissue donation.

“Now more than ever, Hispanics are demonstrating a greater understanding about the facts and benefits surrounding organ donation. The donor authorization rate among Latinos in Illinois is a remarkable 80% making it one of the highest in the country.” Raiza Mendoza, Manager of Hispanic Affairs for Gift of Hope. “This is due in part to Gift of Hope’s continuous efforts to provide information through testimonials, educational initiatives, programs and community events,” concluded Mendoza.

Additionally, recent historic legislative and medical milestones like SB0741 – TVDL y SB0957 – Medicare & Medicaid alignment, provide greater opportunities for Latinos to register their decisions to be organ donors and gain access to organ transplantation. This is why Gift of Hope is honoring the contributions and achievements of State Senator, 20th District, Iris Y. Martinez, State Representative, 24th District, Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, State Representative, 4th District, Cynthia Soto, State Representative, 2nd District, Edward “Eddie” Acevedo, State Representative, 39th District, Maria Antonia “Toni” Berrios, Dr. David Ansell, Senior Vice President, Clinical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer at Rush University Medical Center, Dr. Jose Oberholzer MD, University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System, Andrés Jaramillo Ph.D., Director of the Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory at Gift of Hope, Jose R. Sanchez, President & CEO, Norwegian American Hospital, Juan Zavala, President of Latinos for Health, and Vicente Serrano, Producer and Journalist, “Sin Censura” Radio and TV.

“The noteworthy work and accomplishments of these extraordinary individuals has impacted thousands of Latinos and has left a positive and lasting imprint on the landscape of organ and tissue donation in Chicago for years to come, making them truly ‘Faces of Hope’,” said Kevin Cmunt, Gift of Hope’s President/CEO. “We look forward to continue our work together to enrich the lives of the people in our communities,” concluded Cmunt.

Gift of Hope’s efforts in the Latino community have been increasingly fruitful, however the shortage of Hispanic organ donors remains critical and as the community continues to grow, so will the need for donors. The average number of people who die each year before they can receive a lifesaving organ transplant is nearly 11,000 – or 30 people every day. Dr. Christopher Barry, a transplant surgeon and researcher says, “This is the equivalent of 22 jumbo jets crashing every year with no survivors.” Sadly, the solution to this alarming number of deaths lies in the willingness of every person to become an organ donor.

Organ and tissue donation represents the opportunity to walk away from indifference and brings us closer to ease the suffering of those that are most vulnerable, giving them the gift of hope and life. For more information about organ donation visit: www.giftofhope.org/espanol.

 

Contacts:

Janet Domínguez
Hispanic Media Relations

P: 312.281.2044

C: 630.779.3800

[email protected]

Sonia Sotello
Hispanic Media Relations
P: 312.281.2164
C: 312.909-7259
[email protected]

About Gift of Hope

Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network is a nonprofit organization that coordinates donation of organs and tissues with 180 hospitals in Illinois and northeast Indiana. Since its inception in 1986, Gift of Hope has coordinated donations that have saved the lives of more than 20,000 organ transplant beneficiaries, and bettering the lives of hundreds of thousands of recipients of tissue transplants. For more information: www.giftofhope.org/espanol or call: 877-577-3747.


Montejo Brings Its Authentic Mexican Flavor To The United States

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Montejo Brings Its Authentic Mexican Flavor To The United States

Anheuser-Busch to Import Mexican Lager to Southwest Markets Beginning Sept. 1


ST. LOUIS, Aug. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Beer drinkers in the southwestern United States can quench their thirst for a unique, refreshing and authentic Mexican lager when Montejo arrives at bars, restaurants and at grocery and convenience stores in September. Anheuser-Busch will import Montejo – a golden lager beer with more than 100 years of Mexican brewing tradition. The launch of Montejo marks the first import from Mexico to the United States by Anheuser-Busch.

With origins in Mexicos’s Merida, Yucatan, Montejo is brewed at Cerveceria Modelo S. de R.L. de C.V. in Tuxtepec, Oaxaca, Mexico. Perfect for parties and outdoor refreshment, Montejo is best enjoyed in a wide-mouthed glass and pairs well with Mexican cuisine. “Our brewmasters have perfected the Montejo recipe using time-honored Mexican brewing traditions. The result is a bright, smooth and full-flavored lager with a crisp finish,” said Cesar Enrique Lopez Pineda, Montejo head brewmaster. “It’s an honor to make this regional favorite available to beer drinkers outside of Mexico for the first time.”

According to Ryan Garcia, Anheuser-Busch vice president of regional marketing, “Mexican beers account for nearly 60 percent of imports, and we are responding to consumer demand for an authentic and distinctly Mexican lager. “Anheuser-Busch will put muscle behind Montejo’s launch in California, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas with an integrated advertising and marketing campaign that includes Hispanic targeted radio, digital, print, experiential and outdoor advertising. Los Angeles, Houston and San Antonio residents will also catch a glimpse of one of Mexico City’s most iconic images – classic VW Beetle “vocho” taxicabs – delivering Montejo samples to legal-age adults during various local events and festivals.

Montejo local market launch activities will pay homage to the brand’s deep heritage and personality. In Los Angeles, Montejo will sponsor the GRAMMY® award-winning Los Tigres del Norte  – a norteno-style ensemble band based in California. The band will be honored Aug. 21 with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a VIP after-party where guests will enjoy Montejo as the exclusive beer sponsor.

Montejo contains 4.5 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) and will initially be available in packs of 12 12-ounce cans and six 12-ounce bottles.

For more information on Montejo, visit www.CervezaMontejo.com.

About Anheuser-Busch
Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 47.6 percent share of U.S. beer sales to retailers. The company brews Budweiser and Bud Light, two of the world’s largest-selling beers. Anheuser-Busch is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and has been a leading aluminum recycler for more than 30 years. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the leading global brewer, and continues to operate under the Anheuser-Busch name and logo. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.

For more information, contact:
Nick Kelly, Anheuser-Busch
[email protected]
757-573-8146

Michael Delgado
[email protected]
661-505-5545


Toyota Drives Towards Its New Home As Its Supplier Diversity Teams Deliver Founding Principles Of ‘Building A Better Society’

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Toyota Drives Towards Its New Home As Its Supplier Diversity Teams Deliver Founding Principles Of ‘Building A Better Society’


ADDISON, Texas, Aug. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — On behalf of the world’s top automaker, Diversity in Promotions, (DIP), one of Toyota’s longtime diversity suppliers, and the Dallas – Ft. Worth Minority Supplier Diversity Council (DFW MSDC), are pleased to announce Toyota’s Supplier Diversity Exchange Event. Scheduled for August 13, 2014, this event is designed to help Toyota identify certified minority- or women-owned suppliers for various construction phases of its new corporate campus in Plano, Texas that will house Toyota’s North American headquarters. Suppliers wishing to participate must meet the prequalification criteria per trade category, some of which have general contractor implications. More specific information can be obtained by contacting DIP, DFW MSDC or accessing the link below.

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“Since announcing the move to Plano, all of our teams have worked cohesively and cross functionally to insure inclusion among the certifying regional councils, government entities, our suppliers and throughout the business community in general,” said Monetta Stephens, Toyota Supplier Diversity.

“In fact, based on prior success, we are partnering with DFW MSDC and DIP to insure that this build-out engages the most innovative designs and processes, based on Toyota’s pillars of respect for people and continuous improvement,” adds Bonnie Clinton, who leads Indirect Procurement at the Torrance location.

This exchange event is designed to promote total inclusiveness by engaging potential participants in the Dallas Metroplex. DIP and DFW MSDC are partnering to insure that the most pivotal suppliers are reached by conducting outreach not only within the regional councils of nationally recognized certifying agencies, but also across key Metropolitan areas, in faith-based institutions, civic groups and on social media.

Qualified suppliers will need to submit their business profile in order to receive an invitation to the event. Suppliers receiving an invitation will be treated to networking opportunities with key decision makers, construction timeline and project management information and business growth opportunities. During the event, Toyota’s Construction Developer and Project Management Teams will engage potential suppliers in a match-making session to gauge capabilities and align Toyota business needs. For more information and to obtain prequalification criteria, certified MBE/WBEs are asked to contact DIP and/or DFW MSDC using the contact information below.

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM), the world’s top automaker and creator of the Prius, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands. Over the past 50 years, we’ve built more than 25 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants (10 in the U.S.) and directly employ more than 40,000 people (more than 32,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (1,500 in the U.S.) sold more than 2.5 million cars and trucks (more than 2.2 million in the U.S.) in 2013 – and about 80 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 20 years are still on the road today.

Toyota partners with philanthropic organizations across the country, with a focus on education, safety and the environment. As part of this commitment, we share the company’s extensive know-how garnered from building great cars and trucks to help community organizations and other nonprofits expand their ability to do good. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

About Diversity in Promotions, Inc. (DIP)
Diversity in Promotions, Inc. (DIP) is a B2B resource that builds business development gateways to grow and strengthen minority businesses and multicultural communities. DIP engages to customize solutions so that small, minority or women owned businesses exceed expectations as corporate partners achieve their business goals. Visit www.diversityinpromotions.com

About Dallas Fort Worth Minority Supplier Diversity Council (DFW MSDC)
The D/FW MSDC is a privately funded, nonprofit, business organization, formed in 1973 by major corporations committed to fostering a business environment which promotes access and opportunity for minority-owned businesses Visit www.dfwmsdc.com

EVENT INFORMATION

Date:

August 13, 2014

Where:

Plano, Texas

Who:

Certified MBE/WBE Suppliers

NAICS Codes:

236220, 541310, 423210, 561730, 561710, 561621

(All Sub-Codes are included)

To Pre-Qualify: http://bit.ly/1tOAbU7

For more information, please contact:

Diversity in Promotions, Inc.

DFW MSDC

Tracey Bell, President

Andrew Nash, Director of Operations

Tel: +1-469-718-5589

Tel: +1-214-630-0747

 


Morgan & Morgan and The Doss Firm, LLC Announce Investor Alert: Commissioner’s Report on UBS Puerto Rican Bond Funds Anticipated

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NEW YORK, Aug. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Rafael Blanco Latorre, Commissioner of the Puerto Rico Office of the Financial Institutions, recently told Reuters that his office is winding up an investigation into whether Puerto Rican bond funds were unsuitable for the UBS clients who bought them, and that the results of that investigation would soon be released. This report will likely impact the claims of potentially thousands of Puerto Rican investors, including clients of UBS and other brokerage houses, who lost much of their life savings by investing in closed-end Puerto Rican bond funds.

These bond funds held Puerto Rican
government bonds that were underwritten by UBS and sold by UBS and other brokerage firms and investment companies, such as Merrill Lynch, Oppenheimer Funds, and Wells Fargo. The bond funds plunged in value at the end of the summer of 2013 as concerns grew about Puerto Rico's weak economy and ability to repay government debt. The net asset value of these funds fell nearly 40% in 2013, according to a report by the Office of the Financial Institutions Commissioner, and have reportedly fallen even more in 2014. In February 2014, UBS issued a report stating that Puerto Rico's debt would be downgraded to "junk" status by one or more of the Big 3 credit rating agencies (Moody's, S&P and Fitch).

Puerto Rican bond funds were reportedly sold to investors as safe and secure investments that were suitable for conservative investors and retirees. In fact, however,
that was not the case.

All brokers, financial advisers and brokerage firms owe certain enforceable legal duties to their investor clients. Among them is the duty to understand and disclose, prior to the investment, all material facts and risks of a proposed investment, and to refrain from recommending or purchasing investments that are unsuitable for the investor in light of that investor's age, investment time horizon, risk tolerance, and other factors.

We believe that investors who purchased these bond funds may have compelling claims to recover their losses. So far, approximately 200 people on the island have filed Puerto Rico bond fund cases with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) against UBS and other brokers, according to FINRA records and Reuters.

The law firms of Morgan & Morgan and The Doss Firm are working together to try to recover
investor losses.

To learn about your rights, contact Peter Safirstein or Sheila Feerick of Morgan & Morgan at (800) 732-5200 or email them at [email protected]. You may also contact Jason Doss or Sam Brannan at The Doss Firm, LLC (www.dossfirm.com) or call them at (855) 4DOSSLAW. We will review and analyze statements and other documents, and recommend a course of action at no charge.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact:

Morgan & Morgan

Peter Safirstein, Esq.

28 West 44th Street

Suite 2001

New York, NY 10036

1-800-732-5200

[email protected]

President Obama Appoints Dr. Michael Nettles to Key Administration Post

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President Obama Appoints Dr. Michael Nettles to Key Administration Post


WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — President Barack Obama has announced the appointment of Dr. Michael Nettles to the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans. Nettles is the Senior Vice President and Edmund W. Gordon Chair of the Policy Evaluation and Research Center at Educational Testing Service (ETS).

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140805/133759
Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120110/DC33419LOGO

He was previously Vice President of Policy Evaluation and Research from 2004 to 2006 and Executive Director of Policy Research from 2003 to 2004. Nettles was a Professor of Education at the University of Michigan from 1992 to 2003, and served as the first Executive Director of the Fredrick D. Patterson Research Institute of the United Negro College Fund from 1996 to 1999.

“I am grateful for the opportunity that the president is giving me to collaborate with other leaders, scholars and the general public on a topic that I have been so involved in addressing throughout my career, and that grows in its importance to the nation with each passing day,” said Nettles. “I am eager to confront the challenge facing this presidential commission, and hopeful that we will be able to generate some new and progressive ideas and solutions for the country to act upon in order to make substantive gains.”

“President Obama created the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans because in the 60 years since the Brown v Board of Education decisions, African American students continue to lack equal access to a high-quality education and still lag far behind their White peers in reading and math proficiency, high school graduation rates, and college completion,” Nettles added.

The initiative is a cross-agency effort aimed at identifying evidence-based practices that improve student achievement and developing a national network that shares these best practices.

According to the commission website, the initiative supports the president’s desire to “restore the country to its role as the global leader in education, to strengthen the nation by improving educational outcomes for African Americans of all ages, and to help ensure that all African Americans receive an education that properly prepares them for college, productive careers, and satisfying lives.”

Besides Nettles, President Obama also appointed the following people to the Commission:

Peggy L. Brookins – Co-founder, Director and Mathematics Instructor for the Engineering and Manufacturing Institute of Technology at Forest High School in Ocala, Florida

Dr. Kent McGuire – President of the Southern Education Foundation (SEF)

Dr. Evelynn M. Hammonds – Barbara Gutmann Rosenkrantz Professor of the History of Science and Professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University

Spencer Overton – Professor of Law at George Washington University Law School (GWU)

Becky Pringle – Secretary-Treasurer of the National Education Association (NEA)

John Rice – Founder and CEO of Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT)

Nettles serves on the boards of a number of organizations, including the Southern Education Foundation, the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, Bank Street College of Education, and the Corporate and Philanthropic Council of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. He received a B.A. from the University of Tennessee, and an M.A., M.S. and Ph.D. from Iowa State University.

About ETS
At ETS, we advance quality and equity in education for people worldwide by creating assessments based on rigorous research. ETS serves individuals, educational institutions and government agencies by providing customized solutions for teacher certification, English language learning, and elementary, secondary and postsecondary education, and by conducting education research, analysis and policy studies. Founded as a nonprofit in 1947, ETS develops, administers and scores more than 50 million tests annually — including the TOEFL® and TOEIC ® tests, the GRE® tests and The Praxis Series® assessments — in more than 180 countries, at over 9,000 locations worldwide. www.ets.org


Olympusat announces the promotion of Luis Jairala to lead their HD Music Networks

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Olympusat announces the promotion of Luis Jairala to lead their HD Music Networks


WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Aug. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Olympusat, Inc., the leading owner and distributor of independent Spanish-language TV networks, announces the promotion of Luis Jairala to Network Manager of all 4 of Olympusat’s Music Networks: Ultra Fiesta, Ultra Hits, Ultra Fiesta International and VMC. Jairala joined Olympusat in November 2011 as a consultant to help build the Ultra Fiesta channel. In March 2012, he became the full-time Assistant Manager for Olympusat’s music networks.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140805/133760

In his new role as Network Manager, Jairala will oversee the day-to-day operations and manage the production segments for all the music networks. His duties include interviewing top artists and performers, as well as covering major live events and award shows, such as the Latin Grammys. “My career path has prepared and led me to this role,” stated Jairala. “I’m honored for the opportunity to do what I love and raise the exposure for Olympusat’s Music Networks.”

At the age of 18, Jairala’s had his first stint on TV as host and music video co-producer for Ecuador’s EcuaTV, a 24/7 network that aired in the United States. He then moved to the states to pursue a B.A. in Broadcasting, with a concentration in TV Production and Communications, from Palm Beach Atlantic University. Jairala continued his career at NBC News Channel 5 in West Palm Beach, where he worked as studio camera operator for the channel’s Sunday morning Latino show Hablando con La Comunidad. He went on to become the morning show host for Hola TV, a CBS-affiliated Spanish network. During his 3-year tenure at Hola TV, Luis became a prominent TV host, covering major red carpet events and conducting interviews with A-list celebrities.

About Olympusat:

Olympusat, Inc is one of the largest independent media companies specializing in ownership, distribution, production and technical services. The company has established itself as a leader in the Hispanic television and media space through its 62 Spanish language television networks, 35 of which are HD. Olympusat’s top networks include Cine Mexicano, FUNimation Channel and the newly introduced Ultra HD Plex. Through Olympusat’s diverse portfolio, the company also delivers a distinctive Faith & Family and Specialty Suite representing some of the biggest networks in the industry.

As a part of Olympusat’s industry-leading efforts, the company has also launched two new strategic business units – Olympusat Telecom and Olympusat Entertainment. Olympusat Telecom has embarked on providing the complete communications and business solutions through its IPTV, Video Streaming and CDN offering. Olympusat Entertainment encompasses all aspects of film and TV production including feature length and short films, music videos, industrial/corporate videos, and commercials, both local and national.

For more information on Olympusat’s brands and services, visit us at www.olympusat.com.

CONTACT: Vanessa Martinez, [email protected]


Hispanic Music and Entertainment Marketing Forum to kickstart #Portada14

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Hispanic Music and Entertainment Marketing Forum to kickstart #Portada14


NEW YORK, Aug. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Music and Entertainment are key social connectors to engage the Hispanic consumer. As importantly, Hispanic culture is crossing over to the overall U.S. population. That is why Portada is devoting a special Forum, before its Annual Conference, to Music and Entertainment Marketing.

The program  of the Hispanic Music and Entertainment Marketing Forum on Sept. 17 in New York City, which together with the 8th Annual Hispanic Advertising and Media Conference on Sept. 18 comprehends #Portada14, is designed to provide marketing, media and entertainment executives key market intelligence and the best networking opportunities.

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION expires this Friday August 8, make sure to register here: https://www.portada-online.com/events/hispanic-forum/register/

Major marketers including Maria Rios, Director Multicultural Marketing & Media Strategy, Macy’s; Maybelline New York’s Daniel Villaroel and Manny Gonzalez, Director Multicultural Marketing, Moet Hennessy as well as key Research, Music, Entertainment and Agency players will explore the following themes:

– A RADIOGRAPHY OF HISPANIC MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT CONSUMPTION:  New Data and intelligence on the Hispanic music and entertainment consumer.

 Inside the mind of an INTERNET RADIO PLANNER

– BRANDED ENTERTAINMENT-CRUCIAL CHANGES IN THE PARADIGM: How can brands best execute campaigns and measure sponsorship ROI in the rapidly changing Hispanic Music and Entertainment Marketing Sector? The role of music record companies.

– MAKING CELEBRITY MARKETING WORK: The Crucial role of Digital and Mobile media.

– MUSIC GENRES HISPANICS LOVE:  Meet the members of the STAR BAND BACHATA HEIGHTZ and understand what the Dominican Republic rotted and urban influenced Bachata genre is all about.

Already confirmed #PORTADA14 SPONSORS are:
8th ANNUAL HISPANIC MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING CONFERENCE: 
Gold Sponsors:
Ebuzzing (www.ebuzzing.com)
GFK (www.gfk.com)
YuMe (www.yume.com)

Bronze Sponsors:
Mocospace (www.mocospace.com)   

Wi-Fi Sponsor
La Musica (http://spanishbroadcasting.com/)

HISPANIC MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING FORUM
Spotlight Sponsor
Batanga Media (www.batangamedia.com)  

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Kelley Eberhardt at [email protected] or call 1 212 685 4441 

About  #Portada14

Portada, www.portada-online.com. the leading Source on Hispanic Marketing and Media (www.portada-online.com) is celebrating its Annual Conference on September 17 and 18 in New York City’s Scholastic Auditorium & Greenhouse with Rooftop Terrace. #Portada14 comprehends the 8th Annual Hispanic Advertising and Media Conference on Sept. 18 (www.portada-online.com/events/hispanic-conference) and the Hispanic Music and Entertainment Marketing Forum (www.portada-online.com/events/hispanic-forum) on September 17. Both events can be attended independently or through a combo ticket.

Twitter: @portada_online
Facebook: Facebook.com/Portada

 


ETS Researchers Contribute to Groundbreaking New Book on Measuring Effective Teaching

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ETS Researchers Contribute to Groundbreaking New Book on Measuring Effective Teaching

Over 900 raters scored 60,000 hours of video footage from classroom observations


PRINCETON, N.J., Aug. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Research scientists from Educational Testing Service (ETS) co-authored six of the 16 chapters in a new book from the Measures of Effective Teaching (MET) project, which was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Much of their work centered on developing systems for training raters to evaluate teacher performances in order to avoid subjectivity and favoritism. ETS trained over 900 raters who scored 60,000 hours of video footage of teachers teaching.

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The new book, Designing Teacher Evaluation Systems: New Guidance from the Measures of Effective Teaching Project, is a result of one of the largest research efforts in the history of the United States to identify and understand effective teaching. The MET project, which was launched in 2010, and ran through 2011, studied the teaching of middle-school mathematics and English language arts and brought together several dozen academic researchers, about 3,000 teachers, seven school districts, and over 20 education organizations and universities. 

“This study is important and one that will positively impact education and teaching because measuring teaching quality is a critical first step toward improving the quality of education for all children,” says Courtney A. Bell, a senior research scientist in ETS’s Understanding Teaching Quality research center and one of the contributors to the volume.

ETS researchers worked on studies that aimed to identify and assess the unique types of content knowledge required for effective teaching. In-depth interviews with teachers provided evidence that the MET assessment went beyond simply measuring basic content competency. 

ETS developed systems for training raters to evaluate teacher performances. Teacher observations have traditionally been performed by watching teachers in class, a method that has been criticized for allowing subjectivity and favoritism. An alternative approach is to videotape teachers in their classrooms and then rate their performance according to guidelines that seek to produce fair and reliable judgments.

In addition to contributing to the book, ETS researchers wrote several reports, policy briefs and white papers that can be found at the MET project’s website.

The new book was edited by Thomas J. Kane, professor of education and economics at the Harvard Graduate School of Education; Kerri A. Kerr, a consultant working with the Gates Foundation; and Robert C. Pianta, dean of the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia.

The 616-page volume includes 15 original studies, many of which took advantage of the extensive data generated by the teacher observation systems ETS helped build and execute. ETS researchers were co-authors of the following chapters:

  • Chapter 2: Grade-Level Variation in Observational Measures of Teacher Effectiveness
  • Chapter 3: Improving Observational Score Quality: Challenges in Observer Thinking
  • Chapter 12: Evaluating Efforts to Minimize Rater Bias in Scoring Classroom Observations
  • Chapter 13: Scoring Design Decisions: Reliability and the Length and Focus of Classroom Observations
  • Chapter 15: Evidence on the Validity of Content Knowledge for Teaching Assessments
  • Chapter 16: Optimizing Resources to Maximize Student Gains

“The MET project gave us a wonderful opportunity to develop and share our ideas about measuring teaching quality,” says Cindy Tocci, executive director in the R&D division. “ETS is a leader in research in this area and our participation allowed us to expand our capabilities so that we could develop new products, including an observation training and proficiency assessment system that ETS co-developed with Teachscape.”

“ETS continues to work on teaching effectiveness by both expanding development of assessments of content knowledge for teaching to new subjects and grade levels and by conducting research to better understand the benefits of using observation protocols to measure teaching quality,” says Ida Lawrence, Senior Vice President for Research at ETS. “The goal of the observation work is to collect evidence of the validity of procedures used in making observations and to disseminate relevant knowledge to policymakers and practitioners. Insights from these advances in measuring teacher knowledge and practice can then support states and districts in their efforts to develop fair and reliable teacher evaluation and licensure systems.”

About ETS
At ETS, we advance quality and equity in education for people worldwide by creating assessments based on rigorous research. ETS serves individuals, educational institutions and government agencies by providing customized solutions for teacher certification, English language learning, and elementary, secondary and postsecondary education, and by conducting education research, analysis and policy studies. Founded as a nonprofit in 1947, ETS develops, administers and scores more than 50 million tests annually — including the TOEFL® and TOEIC® tests, the GRE® tests and The Praxis Series® assessments — in more than 180 countries, at over 9,000 locations worldwide. www.ets.org


Redd’s Apple Ale Takes a Turn for the Wicked

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Redd’s Apple Ale Takes a Turn for the Wicked

Redd’s Expands Brand Family with Refreshingly Hard Redd’s Wicked Apple, Now Available Nationwide


CHICAGO, Aug. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Redd’s is introducing Redd’s Wicked Apple, the first refreshingly hard ale of its kind. At eight percent alcohol by volume, Redd’s Wicked Apple is a hard ale that amplifies Redd’s crisp apple flavor for an experience that starts strong and finishes smooth.

“Redd’s Wicked Apple was created to provide a refreshing alternative to drinkers during occasions that typically have been exclusive to spirits,” said David Kroll, MillerCoors vice president of insights and innovation.  “In the national marketing campaign, we will literally show Redd’s Wicked Apple smashing its competition and, in turn, positioning itself as the only choice that’s both refreshing and hard.”

In the new product’s packaging, Redd’s Apple Ale fans will recognize familiar Redd’s iconography but with a mischievous twist. Redd’s Wicked Apple’s logo will feature playfully “horned” apple leaves and an additional black color scheme. Redd’s Wicked Apple will be available exclusively in cans to maximize convenience.

The product will launch with a fully integrated “Refreshingly Hard” campaign, including TV, social, digital and experiential activations. Additionally, the brand will kick off a “Most Wicked Promoter” competition in September, in which the nation’s top promoters in Atlanta and New York City will battle it out to throw the most “wicked” party and give their city ultimate bragging rights.

Redd’s Wicked Apple is available in 12-pack 10-ounce cans as well as 16 and 24-ounce single cans.

For more information about Redd’s Wicked Apple, visit www.ReddsWickedApple.com, www.Facebook.com/ReddsAppleAle and www.Twitter.com/ReddsWicked.

About MillerCoors

Through its diverse collection of storied breweries, MillerCoors brings American beer drinkers an unmatched selection of the highest quality beers steeped in centuries of brewing heritage.  Miller Brewing Company and Coors Brewing Company offer domestic favorites such as Coors Light, Miller Lite, Miller High Life and Coors Banquet, as well as innovative new products such as Miller Fortune.  Tenth and Blake Beer Company, our craft and import division, offers beers such as Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy from sixth-generation Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company and Blue Moon Belgian White from modern craft pioneer Blue Moon Brewing Company. Tenth and Blake also operates Crispin Cider Company, an artisanal maker of a variety of hard apple and pear ciders. The company imports world-renowned beers such as Italy’s Peroni, the Czech Republic’s Pilsner Urquell, Canada’s Molson Canadian and the Netherlands’ Grolsch.  MillerCoors also offers pioneering new brands such as Redd’s Apple Ale, Batch 19 Pre-Prohibition Lager, Third Shift Amber Ale and Smith & Forge Hard Cider.  MillerCoors seeks to become America’s best beer company through an uncompromising promise of quality, a keen focus on innovation and a deep commitment to sustainability.  MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company. Learn more at MillerCoors.com, at facebook.com/MillerCoors or on Twitter through @MillerCoors.