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TEACH Educator Candidates Experience Consistently Higher Certification Pass Rates After Use of Study.com for Teacher Test Prep

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Research evaluated priority populations in North Carolina and South Carolina to assess direct impact to a diverse educator workforce, leading to an eight-percentage point increase in pass rates

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — As the U.S. K-12 student population becomes more diverse, with students from historically marginalized racial and ethnic identities comprising the majority of public-school students, it is critical that the educator workforce reflect the make-up of today’s classrooms. That prompted the creation of Study.com’s “Keys to the Classroom” initiative, focused on building a more robust and representative teacher pipeline to support student outcomes.

As part of this initiative, Study.com partnered with TEACH, a national nonprofit that implements comprehensive, statewide teacher recruitment systems to identify and support prospective teachers on their path to the classroom, in North Carolina and South Carolina. Together, these two organizations examined the impact of test preparation on pass rates of priority populations, such as teachers of color, exam re-takers and teachers on conditional or temporary licenses. Certification exams are often a barrier to aspiring educators from diverse backgrounds, but research shows that intervention support leads to positive outcomes.

In a research partnership across ETS®, Study.com – an official partner of the ETS Praxis exam, and TEACH, this pilot demonstrates that teacher candidates with sufficient use of Study.com for test preparation consistently passed the Praxis exam at higher rates than candidates with less usage. Sufficient use of Study.com led to an 8-percentage point increase in pass rates overall although priority populations, which were over-represented in this study with 45% non-white and 40+% re-take candidates, were positively impacted more significantly. For example, among Black re-takers in North Carolina, there was a 34% increase in passage rates.

Key Findings

The study found a direct impact to the educator workforce that demonstrates targeted intervention and support works, especially among priority populations who historically have lower pass rates on certification exams. Only 38% of Black teacher candidates and 57% of Hispanic teacher candidates pass the Praxis exam even after multiple attempts while 75% of white candidates ultimately pass1.

Specifically:

Black teacher candidates in both N.C. and S.C. experienced a 12-percentage point increase in pass rate with sufficient use of Study.com for test prep.

In N.C., Black teacher candidates who re-took the Praxis exam following sufficient use of Study.com for test prep had a 17-percentage point increase in pass rate than for Black re-takers overall.

While Praxis exam re-takers overall tend to pass at lower rates, sufficient use of Study.com improved their scores by 12-percentage points in N.C. and by 7-percentage points in S.C.

Teacher candidates with temporary or conditional licenses in N.C. had a 10-percentage point increase in pass rate with sufficient use of Study.com than those without it.

“This partnership has enabled us to extend the support we offer to aspiring teachers by providing more necessary interventions on their preparation journey,” explained Veronica Wilson, Co-Executive Director, TEACH. “The results of this study highlight that we can reduce the barrier of licensure exam passage that future teachers face when trying to get into – or stay in – the classroom, especially among diverse educator populations. And we can do it at scale.”

Value of Diverse Teacher Pipeline

Nationwide, only 7% of teachers identify as Black while about 14% of public-school students identify as Black. That gap is even greater among Hispanic and Latine students who comprise nearly one-third of the public-school population but only 9% of educators identify as Hispanic or Latine2. These representation gaps impact students across multiple variables. For example, the likelihood that a student is seen as disruptive by a teacher of a difference race increases by 46% for students of color – that leads to disciplinary actions that are closely linked to future academic performance3. While teachers of color positively impact the outcomes for students of color, research shows they also positively impact white students across academic performance, critical thinking and creativity factors.

“Given the significant and systemic barriers that educators of color can encounter entering and advancing within the profession, it is essential for the industry to understand those barriers and address them through robust, targeted resources. This support is crucial for teachers’ entry into the profession as well as for their long-term retention and success,” said Dana Bryson, SVP, Social Impact at Study.com. “This study unequivocally reinforces the findings of other reports: when aspiring educators have access to comprehensive test preparation tools and resources, they achieve higher pass rates, directly addressing teacher shortages and creating a more equitable and representative education system that benefits all students.”

“Ensuring that teacher candidates – especially those from diverse backgrounds – are fully supported and well-prepared for the Praxis exam is crucial to building a more equitable education system,” said Paul Gollash, Senior Vice President of K-16, ETS. “By helping teacher candidates excel, we take an important step toward expanding access to opportunities that have historically been limited. Mentoring, coaching and other candidate development offerings create a teaching workforce that more accurately reflects the diverse communities they serve.”

Impact and Reach

Both North Carolina and South Carolina face ongoing teacher shortages that disproportionately impact low-income students and students of color, populations that need more support. In North Carolina, the Governor’s Office of Roy Cooper invested more than $1.3 million to support nearly 8,000 future teachers with test prep, which included more than 3,800 licenses from Study.com and 5,000+ test vouchers from ETS. In South Carolina, a close partnership with Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement (CERRA) enabled 2,000+ aspiring teachers to receive support, more than 1,200 of whom used a donated license from Study.com. The TeachNC and TeachSC initiatives are supported by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the South Carolina Department of Education, respectively. 

Methodology

As part of this research project, 10,053 current and future educators across North Carolina and South Carolina received support from Teach.org and Study.com. Study.com provided 4,700+ licenses while TEACH purchased at least 5,000 Praxis test prep vouchers and provided them at no cost to participants. From that pool, the research pilot examined the test results and pass rates of 2,557 teacher candidates over 18 months who took a Praxis exam after joining TeachNC or TeachSC. Of those, 1,832 were in North Carolina and 725 were in South Carolina. The study also over-indexed in key, priority population segments as it relates to the educator workforce: 30% Black / African American and 44% exam re-takers. Almost 90% of both groups reported having a temporary or no license (89% in S.C. and 88% in N.C.). 

Sources:

1 National Council on Teacher Quality: https://www.nctq.org/publications/A-Fair-Chance
2 Pew Research Center: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/12/10/americas-public-school-teachers-are-far-less-racially-and-ethnically-diverse-than-their-students/
3 Brown University: https://www.brown.edu/news/2019-07-18/discipline

Study.com opens the door to the life-changing impact of education for more than 34 million learners and educators a month through its award-winning online learning platform for K12 curriculum, college courses and test preparation. With learners and educators in more than 11,000 school districts nationwide, Study.com is recognized by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) for meeting Level IV evidence standards. Headquartered in Mountain View, CA, Study.com has been honored as one of the world’s most innovative companies by Fast Company and included in the GSV150, celebrating the world’s most transformative private companies in education, for the last two consecutive years. The company has donated $29 million across social impact programs committed to increasing educational equity. These programs include Working Scholars®, an accelerated pathway for working adults to earn a debt-free bachelor’s degree; College Saver, which has saved students more than $475 million in tuition costs, and Keys to the Classroom, which seeks to help aspiring educators prepare for and pass their teacher certification exams.

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SOURCE Study.com

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Sungrow Launches PowerMatrix, Redefining System-Level PV-Storage Integration

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April 28, 2026

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HEFEI, China, April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sungrow, the globally leading PV inverter and energy storage system (ESS) provider, unveiled its next-generation PowerMatrix system for renewable energy applications, alongside a newly released technical white paper, at the Global Renewable Energy Summit (GRES) 2026.

At the event, Sungrow also unveiled the Matrix Inverter, the core product enabling the PowerMatrix system. The PowerMatrix system further integrates the MPPT Booster and the PowerTitan 3.0 energy storage system.

PowerMatrix: Redefining Power Systems for the Renewable Era
Solar PV is rapidly becoming a major power source, with global installations projected by BloombergNEF to reach approximately 655 GW in 2025. As renewable penetration increases, power systems are facing growing challenges in balancing supply and demand while maintaining system stability under dynamic operating conditions. However, existing power systems were not originally designed to effectively address these evolving challenges.

To bridge this gap, PowerMatrix establishes a new system paradigm for renewable energy systems. Built on five core innovations—multi-port topology, native PV-storage integration, distributed control, reconfigurable energy paths, and source-level grid-forming—it integrates PV, storage, grid, and loads into a unified, multi-node energy network, where energy can be dynamically routed, balanced, and optimized in real time.

As a result, this system-level redesign enhances system stability, improves cost efficiency, and increases energy efficiency across the entire power chain.

Stability Redefinition: From Compensated Stability to Inherent Stability
PowerMatrix ensures a stable, continuous power supply through coordinated multi-node operation. It supports high PV DC/AC ratios, high ESS capacity, and around 3,000 full-load hours annually.

In operation, the system ensures continuous power delivery under dynamic conditions through multi-path redundancy and dynamic reconfiguration, with node-level fault isolation allowing unaffected units to remain in service.

At the sub-array level, each unit operates as an independent solar-plus-storage system with grid-forming capability, supporting both grid-connected and islanded operation.

The system delivers millisecond-level response, including 10 ms voltage stabilization and 5 ms inertia response, significantly improving system resilience and recovery performance.

Cost Redefinition: System-Level BOS Reduction
The PowerMatrix enables system-level cost optimization beyond conventional equipment-level cost reduction. By consolidating functions previously distributed across separate devices and system layers, it reduces system complexity and engineering requirements, while enabling more flexible system expansion and cost optimization throughout the project lifecycle.

In a reference system designed for 1 GW of rated grid connection capacity, 8 GWh of installed ESS capacity, and 3,000 annual full-load operating hours in China, the PowerMatrix reduces total CAPEX by approximately $120 million compared to a conventional AC-coupled architecture, with savings across substation & transmission cable, ESS equipment, PV equipment, and other system components.

From an investment perspective, phased deployment and scalable expansion allow capacity to be built in line with project needs rather than requiring full upfront build-out, thereby reducing upfront capital pressure and better aligning investment with project development and demand growth.

Efficiency Redefinition: Full-Link Energy Optimization
The PowerMatrix enhances energy efficiency across the full energy chain:

PV Side: A high-density MPPT architecture with up to 28 MPPTs per MW enables finer string-level optimization, reducing mismatch losses under shading, orientation differences, and module aging conditions, and improving overall energy yield.Storage Side: Cell-to-plant SOC balancing increases usable energy capacity by approximately 8%.Conversion and Delivery: Direct PV-to-storage charging reduces multi-stage power conversion, improving energy transfer efficiency by up to 5%.

In addition, source-level grid-forming capability further enhances grid adaptability, supporting higher renewable penetration and reducing curtailment.

Scalable Across Applications
The PowerMatrix is designed for utility-scale, commercial and industrial (C&I), mining microgrid, and AI data center applications, to deliver a unified, scalable energy system capable of adapting to diverse operational requirements. Its system-level optimization enhances energy reliability, efficiency, and controllability across different use cases, supporting both grid-connected and off-grid scenarios.

“As renewable energy continues to grow as a dominant power source, the energy system is placing higher demands on the coordination and stability of solar and storage technologies,” said Lee Zhang, Sungrow Vice President and President of the Utility PV Inverter Business Unit. “Through the PowerMatrix, we aim to help advance this shift from standalone equipment integration to deeply coordinated system design, enabling solar-plus-storage to serve as an intelligent hub for future energy systems and making renewable energy a stable and dependable source of power.”

About Sungrow
Sungrow, a global leader in renewable energy technology, has pioneered sustainable power solutions for over 29 years. As of Dec 2025, Sungrow has installed over 1000 GW of power electronic converters worldwide. The company is recognized as the world’s most bankable PV inverter and energy storage company (BloombergNEF). Its innovations power clean energy projects across the globe, supported by a network of 520 service outlets guaranteeing excellent customer experiences. At Sungrow, we’re committed to bridging to a sustainable future through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled service. For more information, please visit: www.sungrowpower.com/en

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Zurich launches Global Capability Center in Hyderabad to power next-gen tech and AI

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April 28, 2026

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HYDERABAD, India, April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) today announced the launch of a new Global Capability Center in Hyderabad, reinforcing its focus on advancing technology and AI capabilities to transform insurance.

Zurich has appointed Amit Kalra as Head of Zurich Capability Centers, effective 1 July 2026. Based in India, he will shape the Group’s Capability Center strategy and oversee all locations globally. He will also lead the establishment and expansion of the Hyderabad center, supporting Zurich’s broader technology and AI ambitions. Mr. Kalra brings extensive experience in building and leading global capability centers as strategic enablers for complex, international organizations.

Cara Morton, CEO Zurich Global Businesses & Operations, said: “India is a key talent market for Zurich, and Hyderabad stands out for its depth of engineering expertise and innovation. This center reflects a shift in how we build for the future, strengthening our global technology and AI capabilities while giving highly skilled professionals the opportunity to work on solutions that make a real impact for our customers around the world.”

The Hyderabad center will act as a strategic extension of Zurich’s global operating model, with end–to–end ownership across engineering, data and core business operations. From day one, the center will embed AI–enabled ways of working into how solutions are designed, delivered and scaled across the Group. Designed as a purpose-built environment, the center allows Zurich to build modern, technology and AI–led capabilities without legacy constraints.

As the center grows, Zurich will recruit specialists across cloud and platform engineering, data and AI, application development, cybersecurity and quality engineering. Teams will be responsible for the full lifecycle of their solutions – from design, to build, to execution – and will contribute directly to global platforms and solutions.

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London’s Top Restaurants Named at Inaugural OpenTable Awards, Including New ‘Icons’

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April 28, 2026

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OpenTable unveils its first-ever Restaurant Awards winners, including the new ‘Icons’* list spotlighting the restaurants defining London dining todayWinners include BRUTTO for the Icons list, Singburi for Opening of the Year and The Plimsoll for Gastropub of the Year

LONDON, April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — London’s dining powerhouses have been revealed, as OpenTable names the favourite restaurants shaping the city’s food scene at its first-ever OpenTable Restaurant Awards. The winners span across three categories; OpenTable Icons*, Restaurateurs’ Choice,** and People’s Choice.** 

Hosted by Chef and social media personality, Poppy O’Toole, the awards took place on 27th April high in the London skyline at Landing Forty Two, welcoming key figures from the food, drink, and hospitality industry.

At the centre of the Awards is OpenTable’s new ‘Icons’*, 26 culinary landmarks shaping London’s dining culture. Spanning long-standing institutions, MICHELIN-starred restaurants and modern favourites, the list was hand-selected by an OpenTable-appointed panel of critics and industry experts who live and breathe the city’s food scene.

The 2026 OpenTable London Icons:

64 Goodge Street | Andrew Edmunds | Blacklock Soho | Bouchon Racine | Brawn | BRUTTO | Chez Bruce | CORE by Clare Smyth | Da Terra | Darjeeling Express | Donia | Hawksmoor St Pancras | Humble Chicken | JUNO Omakase | MAMBOW | Moro | Portland | Restaurant Gordon Ramsay | Rita’s | Scott’s Mayfair | St. JOHN Smithfield | The Clove Club | The Ledbury | The Plimsoll | The Quality Chop House | Trinity

OpenTable Icons has a designation within the website and app, making it easier for diners to discover and book the ‘of the moment’ restaurants. 

Beyond the Icons list, the awards honoured standout performers across categories voted for by diners and hospitality professionals.

The People’s Choice (Voted by Diners):

Bucket List: The LedburyGastropub of the Year: The PlimsollOpening of the Year: SingburiNeighbourhood Gem: St. JOHN SmithfieldStandout Service: Rita’s

The Restaurateurs’ Choice (Voted by the Industry):

Everyday Hero: David Moore, Pied à TerreUp & Coming: Dara Klein, Tiella Trattoria & BarInnovation Award: Three SheetsImpact Award: BubalaRestaurant Design: Berners Tavern

Awards host Poppy O’Toole said, “It was a privilege to celebrate the chefs, front-of-house teams and restaurateurs whose passion keeps London’s dining culture so vibrant. From neighbourhood gems to destination dining rooms, the OpenTable Restaurant Awards winners show the breadth, creativity and resilience of the city’s restaurant scene today.” 

“Our first-ever OpenTable Restaurant Awards winners are the places defining London’s culture right now, setting global standards and creating experiences that stay with diners long after they leave,” said Laure Bornet, Senior Vice President of International Growth at OpenTable. “At a time of real pressure for the industry, celebrating and backing the people and places raising the bar matters more than ever, and we’re proud to champion these standout spots to diners.”

The Icons were selected by a panel of judges including: Adam Hyman, Owner of CODE Hospitality and The Good Food Guide, Ben Benton and Freddy Clode, Hosts of The Go-To Food Podcast; Ben Lippett, Cook and Food Writer; Jenny Lau, Writer and Community Chef; Jimi Famurewa, Food Writer, Restaurant Critic and Broadcaster; Lorraine Copes, Founder and CEO of Be Inclusive Hospitality and Seema Pankhania, Food Content Creator and Author. 

You can find the full list of Icons here and award winners linked here. A selection of high-res imagery is available here. 

NOTES TO EDITORS

*OpenTable Icon Methodology: The ‘Icon’ designation and associated restaurant nominations are determined by an OpenTable-appointed industry panel via a qualitative assessment of a pre-determined shortlist. This shortlist is generated through a combination of data-informed insights (diner reviews, ratings, and platform signals) and expert input from local specialists. This process represents a subjective assessment rather than an objective ranking or exhaustive list. Eligibility is merit-based and requires no purchase or commercial participation, and payment to OpenTable does not influence the likelihood of nomination or selection. All selections are discretionary, final, and binding. 

**OpenTable Restaurant Awards Terms & Conditions: https://www.opentable.co.uk/c/awards-london/terms/ 

About OpenTable:

OpenTable, a global leader in restaurant tech and part of Booking Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), helps more than 65,000 restaurants worldwide fill 1.9 billion seats a year. OpenTable’s world-class technology empowers restaurants to focus on what matters most – their team, their guests, and their bottom line – while enabling diners to discover and book the perfect restaurant for every occasion. 

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