Free Content Challenges Publishers

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Commercial publishers are not only battling for a greater textbook market share, they are also battling a growing market of open educational resources - generally free materials, developed by funds from foundations, universities and states that can be revised by teachers for their needs.

Almost all states have adopted the Common Core Standards, a uniform set of expectations in English/language arts and math, and teachers will be looking for a variety of materials. At least five states - California, New York, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington have encouraged or supported open resources.

In Utah, the average secondary science textbook is used for about seven years and costs $123, while the open material in that subject costs no more than $7.00. Students can take home those materials and take notes on them; but teachers have more responsibility for selection.

Read more in Education Week.