February Newsletter: Happy Open Education Week
Happy Open Education Week!
Next week is international Open Education Week when people around the globe will celebrate the simple but transformative idea that knowledge is meant to be shared. Whether you practice open education in your classroom, create open resources to share, or support knowledge sharing systems, this week is about you!
Here are some ways to get involved:
OE Global’s Event Handbook and Communications Toolkit
OpenEd25 Recordings (newly released!)
Accessibility, Title II & OER
As the deadline for compliance with Title II digital accessibility requirements approaches this April, conversations about OER and accessibility have increased on campus. While accessibility should always be a priority, now is an especially important time to underscore the strong connection between open and accessibility. Our programming this month focused on supporting open education advocates to help separate myths from facts.
New Resource: OER Accessibility
Visit our OER Accessibility Resources page for the recording of our recent webinar, a live calendar of upcoming accessibility events, and a curated list of accessibility resources.
Flash Poll: Webinar Topics
What kind of programming do you want to see from the association? Take 30 seconds to share what’s on your wishlist: skills you want to learn, guidance you need, information you want, or experts you want to hear from.
Federal Open Textbook Pilot Funding
Congress has renewed funding for the Open Textbook Pilot in 2026, allocating $7 million for grants to support the creation and use of open textbooks. Past grantees range from Wisconsin’s Open RN to Washington’s Open ProfTech to Louisiana’s Interactive OER for Dual Enrollment.
While it is difficult to predict how recent changes at the Department of Education will impact the grant process and timeline, applications have historically opened in late spring/early summer under the program’s established priorities and definitions.
The Open Education Association has joined efforts led by SPARC and the Student PIRGs to advocate for more funding in 2027 and will share updates on opportunities to apply.
Policy Spotlight: Connecticut
Connecticut's OER Coordinating Council has built a sustained infrastructure for open education through faculty grant programs, statewide summits, and a growing body of impact data. To date, that work has saved more than 10,000 students nearly $1.2 million in textbook costs, with the potential for millions more, according to a new statewide report. Despite this strong track record, the council is operating with only half of its original budget. The Open Education Association joined state advocates in submitting testimony to the Appropriations Committee calling for full funding restoration, so the council can build on its demonstrated impact for students.
Member Profiles
Each month we’ll highlight Open Education Association members and what drives their work. Want to be featured? Share your story.
Dr. Tiffani Tijerina
When Tiffani handed her students a free book, it immediately set the culture of her classroom: informal, open, light-hearted. She realized that open education could make a difference in more than just her students' wallets. Read More
Dr. Robert Awkward
As a community college professor, Bob saw withdrawals in his economics course drop to zero after replacing a $225 textbook. Now, as a state leader, he’s scaling that impact across institutions to save students millions. Read More
Upcoming Events
In addition to our list of upcoming events, check our conference list and webinar calendar for more offered by the community.
OpenEd26 Call for Proposals
The 2026 Open Education Conference will be held as a virtual event on Oct. 27-29 with the theme The Space Between. Proposals for sessions and contributed papers (new!) are due Friday, April 3. View Call for Proposals.
OpenEd25 Keynote Rewatch: Dr. Kim Hunter Reed
🎥 Wed, March 4, 2:00 PM ET • Public
OpenEd25 Keynote Rewatch: adrienne maree brown
🎥 Thu, March 5, 3:00 PM ET • Public
Information Session: Open Education Association
📝 Tue, March 10, 2026 3:00 PM ET • Public
Last Chance to Join! MemberWorking Group Meetings:
Research: Mon, March 16, 11:00 AM ET
Professional Development: Wed, March 18, 2:00 PM ET
Outreach: Thu, March 19, 1:30 PM ET
Thanks for reading. We’ll be back next month with more updates and opportunities.
Not a member yet? Learn more. Already a member? Here’s where to start.