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New NWEA Research Suggests Pandemic Reopened Achievement Gaps Favoring Boys in Math and Science

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PORTLAND, Ore., May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — NWEA, a K-12 assessment and research organization, released a new study examining the impacts of COVID-19 school closures and disruptions on boys and girls in STEM skills. The new report, “Boys regain the advantage in middle school STEM skills: Post-COVID trends in gender achievement gaps,” highlights that STEM gaps in achievement between boys and girls that took more than a decade to close were reopened in just four years.

The study used a robust set of data from three national assessments, Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS), the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), and NWEA’s MAP Growth, to examine trends in gender gaps in 8th grade over the course of the pandemic. The study also analyzed MAP Growth data from approximately two million U.S. students to see if the gender gap widened for both low- and high-achieving students. The final part of the analysis looked at 8th-grade Algebra enrollment across 1,300 U.S. public schools to determine if participation rates differed by gender throughout the pandemic. Key findings indicate some concerning trends:

Girls’ STEM achievement declined more than boys’ between 2021 and 2024, reversing decades of progress in closing gender gaps in these subjects. This decline was not seen in reading scores.Similar patterns were observed in other English-speaking countries (Australia, England, New Zealand) and on state-level assessments in the U.S.Gender gaps widened after a return to in-person school. The gaps became more pronounced after 2022.Fewer girls are enrolling in 8th-grade Algebra, a gateway course to more advanced mathematics and STEM fields.

“These trends are concerning, especially since decades of progress in closing those gaps between boys’ and girls’ achievement in STEM skills were, essentially, wiped out in four years,” said Dr. Megan Kuhfeld, Director of Growth Modeling and Data Analytics at NWEA. “Our goal in providing this analysis is to shed light on concerning trends and the potential long-term impact if these gaps are not addressed. The data doesn’t tell us why these gaps were widened, and more understanding and research are needed to provide our education community with insights on how best to address this moving forward.”

One trend that could have long-term impacts on STEM pathways for girls is the decline in girls enrolling in 8th-grade Algebra. This course is a gateway to higher-level mathematics and is a key step in future college and career opportunities in STEM fields. The study found enrollment rates in 2022 had dropped for both boys and girls, but boys’ enrollment rebounded to 2019 levels by the 2024 school year, while girls’ enrollment remained two percentage points lower than before COVID-19 hit.

This new research study underscores that the pandemic was not an equal opportunity hitter and disruptions to learning impacted some student groups more than others. Moving ahead, we must look beyond surface-level comparisons and dig into how different groups of students are faring over time to ensure that recovery efforts don’t inadvertently reinforce old inequities or allow new ones to take hold. This includes:

Monitoring participation in key STEM milestones by gender, over time, not just within a single year.Providing targeted support for students’ academics and well-being.Examining classroom dynamics and instructional practices.

View the full report at https://www.nwea.org/research/publication/boys-regain-the-advantage-in-middle-school-stem-skills-post-covid-trends-in-gender-achievement-gaps/

About NWEA

NWEA® (a division of HMH) is a mission-driven organization that supports students and educators in more than 146 countries through research, assessment solutions, policy and advocacy, and professional learning that support our diverse educational communities. Visit NWEA.org to learn more about how we’re partnering with educators to help all kids learn.

Contact: Simona Beattie, Communications Director, simona.beattie@nwea.org or 971.361.9526

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Eficode receives Atlassian Partner of the Year 2026 for Software Solutions

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Eficode has been named Atlassian Partner of the Year 2026 for Software Solutions, recognizing performance in new business development, thought leadership, and delivering solutions that complement Atlassian’s offering.

HELSINKI, May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Atlassian announced today that Eficode has been awarded the Atlassian Partner of the Year 2026 for Software Solutions in recognition of their exemplary contributions and achievements throughout the calendar year 2025. This accolade acknowledges exceptional performance in new business development, thought leadership, and the delivery of products and services that effectively complement Atlassian’s offerings.

Eficode was among the select group of partners honored at the annual Atlassian Partner of the Year awards, in recognition of their sustained commitment and outstanding customer engagement.

“Our Partner of the Year winners represent the very best of our ecosystem—driving innovation, delivering cutting-edge solutions, and demonstrating an unwavering commitment to customer success. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and recognize the incredible impact they’ve made in helping customers unlock their full potential with Atlassian,” said Bill Hustad, Head of Channel and GTM Ecosystems at Atlassian.

“This recognition reflects the trust our customers place in us and the dedication of our teams every day. We focus on helping organizations use AI in the software development lifecycle and build effective software tooling that supports real business outcomes. It’s rewarding to see the impact this has on our clients’ success, and we’re excited to keep building on that with Atlassian,” said Henri Hämäläinen, Chief Product Officer and Co-CEO of Eficode.

Eficode brings deep experience in AI-driven software development and building effective SDLC tooling that helps teams work smarter. They have supported organizations such as Air France–KLM, Supercell, and The Very Group in saving costs, future-proofing their environment for innovation, and building more efficient software processes and better customer experiences. Learn more about Eficode’s work with Atlassian solutions.

Media contacts
Henri Hämäläinen, CPO, Co-CEO at Eficode, henri.hamalainen@eficode.com, +358 50 487 3291
Simon Wood, CRO, Co-CEO at Eficode, simon.wood@eficode.com, +44 7920 002769

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com.

https://news.cision.com/eficode-oy/r/eficode-receives-atlassian-partner-of-the-year-2026-for-software-solutions,c4343859

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/eficode-receives-atlassian-partner-of-the-year-2026-for-software-solutions-302762305.html

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Bizcap launches Line of Credit in Europe to meet growing SME demand

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MUNICH, May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe can now access up to €500,000 in funding thanks to a flexible, fast-turnaround line of credit offered by Bizcap.

The Line of Credit is designed to help businesses manage cash flow, respond to seasonal pressures, and act on growth opportunities. The new facility offers set-up within two to three days, followed by ongoing access to funds as needed.

Bizcap’s Business Line of Credit gives SMEs a more adaptable funding solution than many traditional lending products, with flexible drawdowns and repayments aligned to business cash flow. Businesses only pay for the funds they use, and once the facility is in place, they can access capital as needed without having to reapply each time.

The launch comes as Bizcap builds on a strong start in Europe, following its launch into Luxembourg in July 2025, then expanding lending into Germany in October 2025, where it facilitated more than €4 million in funding in its first month of lending. Bizcap has described Germany as its most successful international expansion to date, underlining strong product-market fit and the effectiveness of its partnerships-led strategy in Europe.

“Europe has responded favourably to Bizcap’s fast, flexible and transparent approach to funding, and that’s exactly why this Line of Credit launch matters,” said Laura Schlag, Managing Partner for Bizcap Europe.

“Our early traction in Luxembourg and Germany showed us there is clear demand from SMEs for funding that moves at the speed of business. With our Line of Credit, businesses can access capital when they need it, use only what they need, and stay in control of their cash flow.

“For many SMEs, funding needs don’t arrive in one neat moment. They ebb and flow with stock purchases, supplier payments, payroll, tax obligations, and growth opportunities. This product is designed to meet that reality with flexibility, speed and clarity.”

Bizcap’s Line of Credit has already proven itself in other international markets, where the product has seen strong uptake from SMEs seeking reliable working capital and repeat access to funding. Its expansion into Europe reflects Bizcap’s broader strategy to bring practical, flexible business finance to underserved SME markets.

Albert Gahfi, Bizcap’s Global Co-CEO, said the launch of Line of Credit in Europe reflects both market demand and Bizcap’s confidence in the region’s long-term potential.

“We’ve seen in Luxembourg and Germany just how strongly SMEs and partners respond when funding is fast, transparent and built around real business needs,” he said.

“Launching our Line of Credit in Europe is a natural next step. It gives businesses an ongoing source of capital they can draw on as opportunities arise, without the friction of starting from scratch each time.

“Our model is built to move quickly, but it’s also built to understand businesses properly. We look beyond rigid scorecards and assess overall financial health, which means we can support a broader range of SMEs with practical, responsible funding solutions.”

This broader underwriting approach and Bizcap’s focus on overall business health are themes the company has highlighted in its European rollout.

Bizcap works closely with advisers, brokers and partners across its markets to help deliver funding solutions to a broader range of business clients. In Europe, that partnership-led approach has already played a major role in its early growth, where Bizcap says trust, credibility and strong broker relationships were key to its first-month results.

Bizcap is offering select advisers access to bring this solution to their clients. Interested advisers can email partners@bizcap.eu or become a partner via their website.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bizcap-launches-line-of-credit-in-europe-to-meet-growing-sme-demand-302762228.html

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Frost & Sullivan Recognizes Picus Security as the 2026 Global Company of the Year for Advancing Automated Security Validation

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Recognition highlights Picus for pioneering a unified, AI-driven approach that is reshaping the security validation market and delivering meaningful customer impact

SAN ANTONIO, May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Frost & Sullivan today announced that it has awarded Picus Security the 2026 Global Company of the Year recognition in the automated security validation industry. This recognition highlights Picus Security’s consistent leadership in delivering measurable security outcomes, advancing innovation, and driving customer impact in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents the Company of the Year recognition to an organization that demonstrates outstanding strategy development and implementation. The firm evaluates companies based on a rigorous benchmarking process across two core dimensions: strategy effectiveness and strategy execution. Picus Security excelled in both, aligning its long-term vision with enterprise security needs while executing efficiently at scale. The company’s strategic agility and sustained investment in autonomous exposure validation have enabled it to scale effectively across North America, Asia-Pacific, and other global markets, serving large enterprises across sectors such as BFSI, healthcare, government, and technology.

“Picus Security’s rapid growth, diversified revenue streams, expanding global presence, and strong partner ecosystem reflect a company entering a new phase of accelerated scale. Its platform breadth, enterprise adoption, and continued investments across integrations, alliances, marketplaces, and service providers position it to play a pivotal role in advancing the automated security validation market,” said Ying Ting Neoh, an industry analyst at Frost & Sullivan.

Picus Security continues to differentiate through a unified, AI-driven security validation platform that integrates breach and attack simulation, automated pentesting, and autonomous exposure validation to measure real exploitability, correlate siloed findings, and reveal the small fraction of exposures that truly matter. With evidence-based reporting, compensating control guidance, and always-up-to-date attack content, Picus Security transforms enterprise security validation into a continuous, automated, and intelligence-driven practice.

“We’ve entered the Post-Mythos and GPT-Cyber era. Frontier AI models can now write exploits and launch autonomous attacks against thousands of targets in parallel, yet most enterprises are still validating their defenses at human speed,” said Volkan Ertürk, co-founder and CTO of Picus Security. “That gap is no longer survivable with periodic pentesting or manual red teaming. It demands autonomous validation: continuous, AI-driven proof that your controls hold and your real exploitable paths are closed. Frost & Sullivan’s recognition affirms that Picus is leading this shift, and that the market is ready for it.”

Frost & Sullivan commends Picus Security for setting a high standard in competitive strategy, execution, and market responsiveness. The company’s vision, innovation pipeline, and customer-first approach are shaping the future of the automated security validation industry and enabling enterprises to manage cyber risk in dynamic environments proactively.

Learn more about Picus Security’s innovation at https://www.picussecurity.com/resource/blog/why-frost-sullivan-named-picus-2026-global-company-of-the-year

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Recognition
Frost & Sullivan’s Best Practices Recognitions honor companies across regional and global markets that exhibit exceptional achievement and consistent excellence in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer experience, and strategic product development. Each recognition is the result of a rigorous analytical process in which Frost & Sullivan industry experts benchmark performance through comprehensive interviews, deep-dive analysis, and extensive secondary research. The goal is to identify true best-in-class organizations that are driving transformative growth and setting new industry standards.

Contact us: Start the discussion.

About Picus Security
Picus Security, the leading security validation company, gives organizations a clear picture of their cyber risk based on business context. Picus transforms security practices by correlating, prioritizing and validating exposures across siloed findings so teams can focus on critical gaps and high-impact fixes. With Picus, security teams can quickly take action with one-click mitigations to stop more threats with less effort. Offering Adversarial Exposure Validation with Breach and Attack Simulation and Automated Penetration Testing, working together for greater outcomes, Picus delivers award-winning, threat-centric technology that allows teams to pinpoint fixes worth pursuing.

Follow Picus Security on X and LinkedIn.

Frost & Sullivan Media Contact:
Tarini Singh
E: Tarini.Singh@frost.com

Media Contact
Jennifer Tanner
Look Left Marketing
picus@lookleftmarketing.com

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SOURCE Frost & Sullivan

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