On June 28, the merged ISTE+ASCD organization officially became the International Society for Transforming Education, presenting the change as a global shift toward aligning instruction, technology use, and educator practice. The move drew applause from some e
On June 28, the change arrived not quietly but in a room full of educators. At the opening general session of the organization’s annual conference in Orlando, Florida, ISTE+ASCD leadership announced a new official name: The International Society for Transforming Education.
Jeremy Owoh. president of the International Society for Transforming Education and superintendent of Jacksonville North Pulaski School District. explained that the renaming had been in motion for more than a year. He said the work depended on timing—first making sure the merger was complete, then tackling the name itself. “We knew that the [merger] needed to happen first and then once we grew together as a community then we could take on that [renaming] task. ” he said. “This is a change we’re making very thoughtfully.”.
Richard Culatta. CEO of the International Society for Transforming Education. told attendees the new name is meant to signal a global emphasis on aligning instructional strategy. technology use and educator practice to improve student outcomes and engagement. “We believe that this name most effectively captures what both legacy organizations were always about,” he said. “Our new name shifts the focus from how we do it, to why we do it. And it shows how serious we are about transforming learning together.”.
For some in the crowd, the new wording landed as a promise. Elizabeth Diamond. an associate professor at Temple University in Philadelphia. said she was “excited.” “Words are so important. and those words are where we’re headed as teachers. ” she said. Julie Keller. also a Temple University associate professor. added. “There’s power in the words. and it really brings together what we’re trying to do.”.
Not everyone felt the same lift. Legacy-ASCD member Ruth Letang-Horton. vice president of the North American Division of SDA. said she was less enthusiastic—particularly about the disappearance of the ASCD name. “I feel like the ASCD part is really lost,” she said. “Your feeling is like. ‘Wait a minute. what about ASCD?’ It’s because I’ve been an ASCD member for decades.”.
The new name is the latest phase of the merger between ISTE and ASCD, which happened in 2023. Culatta said the organization plans for continuity under the new brand: membership, educator certifications, the ISTE Standards and professional learning programs will continue without interruption.
(Editor’s note: EdSurge is an editorially independent newsroom of the International Society for Transforming Education.)
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So they renamed it and somehow that fixes education? lol.
Wait I thought ISTE and ASCD were already the same thing. Now it’s “International Society for Transforming Education” like… is that just branding or do they actually change anything? People clapping at conferences always feels kinda scripted.
Honestly I’m confused why they’re dropping ASCD. Like if it’s a merger then why can’t it be like “ISTE+ASCD” forever. My wife’s school uses a bunch of the standards or whatever and none of that changed, so this sounds more like the name is doing the work.
They said it’s global shift toward aligning instruction, technology, and educator practice?? That’s vague. Also “timing” for the name made me laugh—because it definitely feels like the timing was “when the merger was finished,” not anything transformational. I don’t know, sounds like another rebrand while teachers are still dealing with classroom stuff.