News
Workforce Pell and Textbook Costs: Why OER Matters
The Workforce Pell Grant program extends Pell eligibility to short-term workforce programs for the first time. As institutions build these programs, openly licensed materials are a strategy to reduce program costs and save students money.
OpenEd Digest – April 2026
This month’s roundup of open education news, opportunities and events.
Nevada Adopts Policy on No-Cost and Low-Cost Course Materials
A new policy adopted by the Nevada System of Higher Education requires institutions to identify courses that rely exclusively on no-cost or low-cost materials within their course registration systems, giving students clearer information about what they'll actually spend before they enroll.
March Newsletter: Beyond Echo Chambers
Happy spring! This month’s newsletter highlights upcoming events you won’t want to miss, advocacy work happening in the field, and a reminder about the OpenEd26 call for proposals.
Open Education in Pennsylvania: Taking the Case to Harrisburg
Pennsylvania has a strong open education community despite not having formal policy or state-level support. Advocates took the case for OER to the state legislature.
Member Spotlight: Chelsee Dickson
A Georgia librarian discovered open education when her professor offered students a radical choice: accept the old textbook, or build something better.
Member Spotlight: Delmar Larsen
This UC Davis chemistry professor and LibreTexts founder heard about a student who had to choose between a textbook and baby food, and spent the next decade building the alternative.
Member Spotlight: Amber Anderson
A soil scientist builds a free textbook so anyone can learn about the ground beneath our feet.
OpenEd Digest – March 2026
This month’s roundup of open education news, opportunities and events.
Report Confirms What Students Already Know: The Textbook Market Is Broken
New data from Student PIRGs shows that textbook costs continue to affect students' academic and daily lives, even as open educational resources make measurable gains on campuses across the country.
Member Spotlight: Rebecca Karoff
In open education, a University of Texas administrator finds a way to remove financial and academic barriers and build campus community all at once.
February Newsletter: Happy Open Education Week
Happy Open Education Week! This month’s newsletter offers updates on resources for OER accessibility, policy updates, and upcoming association events.
Maintaining Momentum for OER in Connecticut
As the state legislature considers next year’s budget, advocates urge full restoration of funding for the Connecticut OER Coordinating Council. Since its founding, the Council has saved more than 10,000 students nearly $1.2 million in textbook costs.
Now Open: 2026 Open Education Conference Call for Proposals
Proposals are now open for the 2026 Open Education Conference, taking place virtually October 27–29. Submit by April 3, 2026.
Member Spotlight: Tiffani Tijerina
A University of Arkansas at Little Rock professor finds that open education can reshape classroom culture, not just cut costs.
Member Spotlight: Robert Awkward
A community college economics professor turned state leader watched withdrawals drop to zero when he left behind the $225 textbook.
Open Textbook Pilot Grant Program Funded for 2026
Congress renewed funding for the federal Open Textbook Pilot program in Fiscal Year 2026, allocating $7 million for new grants to be distributed by the Department of Education.
OpenEd Digest – February 2026
This month’s roundup of open education news, opportunities and events.
Accessibility, Title II and Open Education
As the deadline approaches for Title II digital accessibility requirements, it’s an important time to get grounded in how open education supports accessibility—and remember that the goal is supporting every learner.