News
Colorado Reauthorizes OER Program for Five More Years
Governor Polis signed HB 26-1016 into law on June 1, reauthorizing Colorado's Open Educational Resources grant program through 2031. The program has saved Colorado students nearly $60 million in textbook costs since its launch.
May Newsletter: Sustaining Open Education Work
This month’s newsletter highlights the upcoming funding strategies webinar and open applications for the Open Textbook Pilot grant.
Member Spotlight: Victoria Brame
A first-gen student who gamified her way through textbook costs grew up to ask: how do we make sure the next student isn't navigating this alone?
Member Spotlight: Carlos Goller
A NC State microbiologist couldn't find the right textbook for cutting-edge lab techniques, so he and his students stopped looking and started creating.
Applications Open for Federal Open Textbook Pilot Grants: Deadline June 23
The 2026 competition for the federal Open Textbook Pilot Grant program is open. Applications are due June 23.
Update on Workforce Pell and Course Materials
The Department of Education clarified how course material costs factor into Workforce Pell accountability requirements, with direct implications for institutions choosing between OER and commercial materials.
New Resource: Open Education Glossary
Explore the Open Education Glossary, a reference of key terms, organizations, platforms, and concepts used across the field.
OpenEd Digest - May 2026
This month’s roundup of open education news, opportunities and events.
OpenEd26 Registration is Open
Registration is open for the 2026 Open Education Conference on October 27–29. Register by August 31 to get earlybird pricing, and take advantage of discounts for association members.
April Newsletter: Accessibility in Focus
This month’s newsletter highlights updates on OER and accessibility, information on microcredentials and Workforce Pell, and upcoming regional social hours.
Member Spotlight: Judith Sebesta
A former theatre professor got hooked on OER when two students said they simply couldn't have afforded to take her class any other way.
Member Spotlight: JoAn Kivlehan
A New York nursing instructor makes the case that OER models the values that nursing is built on
OER and the New Accessibility Timeline: What Institutions Should Know
With the ADA Title II deadline extended by one year, institutions have more time to get accessibility right. OER should be part of the plan.
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.