This session was cancelled due to a speaker conflict. If it is rescheduled, more information will be posted here.
Policy is one of the key ingredients for sustainable, effective open education efforts. More than a decade of coordinated open education advocacy has paid off with significant advancements. In the United States, Congress has established a federal grant program for open textbook programs, and numerous significant state-level policy initiatives have led to increased adoption, awareness, and creation of open educational resources. In Canada, sustained provincial support for open education programs has laid groundwork for potential national action. Across North America and the world, the opportunity around open education policy has been underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This session will provide attendees with an overview of open education policy in the U.S. and Canada led by experienced advocates engaged in the day-to-day work. We’ll review exciting developments from the past year and provide a look into what goes into big policy wins, along with analysis of what the long-term impact of these policies will be. We’ll also share insight into what’s coming up in the next year, including the outlook on potential national developments, which state and provincial policy trends to watch, and how open education advocates can best take action in their communities.
The discussion will be enriched by including both the U.S. and Canadian perspectives, drawing analysis and lessons learned from both contexts. Speakers also have their roots in student advocacy, so particular emphasis will be given to the important role of students in advancing policy. Whether you are an experienced advocate or completely new to policy, we hope you will participate!
After participating in this session, attendees will be able to:
- Explain key open education-related policy trends throughout the United States and Canada
- Identify upcoming open education policy opportunities that may emerge in the next year
- Apply recommendations and resources for how to advance open education policy in your local context
- Reflect on key differences in policy development between the American and Canadian contexts
