About EDC
We work with partners worldwide to advance every person’s journey to learn, work, and be well.




Our Vision
Since 1958, EDC has been a catalyst for sustainable, community-led initiatives that address the world’s most pressing challenges.
We view education, workforce development, and health as interconnected pieces that unlock human potential. By aligning our efforts with the strengths of partners, communities, and individuals, we’re building a future where everyone can thrive.
Learn more about our vision.
History & Impact
We are laying the foundation for future innovation together
For over 65 years, EDC has supported the design and delivery of thousands of innovative programs that advance education, workforce development, and health worldwide.

1958
PSSC Physics
EDC’s flagship project supports the Physical Science Study Committee’s (PSSC) groundbreaking multimedia high school physics curriculum, created by MIT physicist Jerrold Zacharias and colleagues. By the early 1960s, nearly half of U.S. high school physics students were using it, and it earned four American Film Festival Awards.
EDC’s flagship project supports the Physical Science Study Committee’s (PSSC) groundbreaking multimedia high school physics curriculum, created by MIT physicist Jerrold Zacharias and colleagues. By the early 1960s, nearly half of U.S. high school physics students were using it, and it earned four American Film Festival Awards.

1964
Pattern Blocks
EDC invents pattern blocks as part of the Elementary Science Study (ESS) project. Developed by Edward Prenowitz, these blocks feature distinct colors for each shape and specific combinations. A typical set includes green triangles, orange squares, blue parallelograms, tan rhombuses, red trapezoids, and yellow hexagons. Primary classrooms worldwide use the blocks to help children understand geometry, shape, and symmetry.
EDC invents pattern blocks as part of the Elementary Science Study (ESS) project. Developed by Edward Prenowitz, these blocks feature distinct colors for each shape and specific combinations. A typical set includes green triangles, orange squares, blue parallelograms, tan rhombuses, red trapezoids, and yellow hexagons. Primary classrooms worldwide use the blocks to help children understand geometry, shape, and symmetry.

1960s
African Primary Science Program
With the African Primary Science Program (APSP), Elementary Science Study (ESS) methods and materials are adapted for schools in Africa. As a collaboration with local university educators, the project sets the stage for EDC’s continued engagement with teachers and learners in Africa.
With the African Primary Science Program (APSP), Elementary Science Study (ESS) methods and materials are adapted for schools in Africa. As a collaboration with local university educators, the project sets the stage for EDC’s continued engagement with teachers and learners in Africa.

1964
HBCU Centers/Upward Bound
Educational Services Incorporated (ESI), a precursor to EDC, establishes pre-college centers at six Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to increase opportunities for low-income students. The approach becomes the model for the federal government’s Upward Bound Program.
Educational Services Incorporated (ESI), a precursor to EDC, establishes pre-college centers at six Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to increase opportunities for low-income students. The approach becomes the model for the federal government’s Upward Bound Program.

1976
New England Resource Access Project
EDC’s partnership with Head Start begins with its leadership of the New England Resource Access Project, which helps Head Start staff integrate students with disabilities into their programs. The work challenges long-standing expectations about what children with disabilities can do in the classroom.
EDC’s partnership with Head Start begins with its leadership of the New England Resource Access Project, which helps Head Start staff integrate students with disabilities into their programs. The work challenges long-standing expectations about what children with disabilities can do in the classroom.

1980s–Present
Interactive Audio Instruction
EDC’s teacher training initiatives, community-based education programs, and pioneering use of interactive audio instruction help deliver high-quality basic education to millions of children, youth, and adults around the world. The work overcomes barriers posed by poverty, distance, and conflict and helps to fulfill the promise of education as a fundamental human right.
EDC’s teacher training initiatives, community-based education programs, and pioneering use of interactive audio instruction help deliver high-quality basic education to millions of children, youth, and adults around the world. The work overcomes barriers posed by poverty, distance, and conflict and helps to fulfill the promise of education as a fundamental human right.

1992–Present
Children’s Safety Network
The Children’s Safety Network (CSN) spearheads a national effort to protect infants, children, and adolescents. CSN’s technical assistance helps national and state health agencies improve the safety of hundreds of thousands of young people by guiding the use of health data to drive decision-making and continuous improvement.
The Children’s Safety Network (CSN) spearheads a national effort to protect infants, children, and adolescents. CSN’s technical assistance helps national and state health agencies improve the safety of hundreds of thousands of young people by guiding the use of health data to drive decision-making and continuous improvement.

2002–Present
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
EDC is a key partner in operating the national Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), the only federally supported center focused on advancing suicide prevention. Through SPRC and other initiatives like Zero Suicide and the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, EDC transforms how communities, health systems, and schools prevent suicide and save lives.
EDC is a key partner in operating the national Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), the only federally supported center focused on advancing suicide prevention. Through SPRC and other initiatives like Zero Suicide and the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, EDC transforms how communities, health systems, and schools prevent suicide and save lives.

2009–Present
Partnerships in Rwanda
In Rwanda, EDC shows that market-relevant workforce development programs in collaboration with industry and government partners can have a huge impact. The work improves economic opportunity for hundreds of thousands of youth in one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies.
In Rwanda, EDC shows that market-relevant workforce development programs in collaboration with industry and government partners can have a huge impact. The work improves economic opportunity for hundreds of thousands of youth in one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies.

2015-2021
The Beauty and Joy of Computing
EDC partners with the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) to create and study a high school version of UCB’s college curriculum Beauty and Joy of Computing that includes teacher development. The curriculum reaches 25,000 New York City students and is endorsed by the College Board.
EDC partners with the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) to create and study a high school version of UCB’s college curriculum Beauty and Joy of Computing that includes teacher development. The curriculum reaches 25,000 New York City students and is endorsed by the College Board.

2021–Present
La Fuerza-STEM
EDC leads La Fuerza-STEM to advance knowledge of strategies to support Spanish-speaking families in enriching children’s science learning. With Literacy Partners and TelevisaUnivision, EDC co-produces an award-winning science-themed telenovela that reaches an audience of 7 million and rolls out related workshops.
EDC leads La Fuerza-STEM to advance knowledge of strategies to support Spanish-speaking families in enriching children’s science learning. With Literacy Partners and TelevisaUnivision, EDC co-produces an award-winning science-themed telenovela that reaches an audience of 7 million and rolls out related workshops.

2020–2024
Opportunity 2.0
Funded by USAID, Opportunity 2.0 partners with the Philippine government to help out-of-school youth overcome barriers to lifelong learning and professional success. This systems-based program strengthens second-chance education and engages over 3 million youth in work-based learning, entrepreneurship, and training.
Funded by USAID, Opportunity 2.0 partners with the Philippine government to help out-of-school youth overcome barriers to lifelong learning and professional success. This systems-based program strengthens second-chance education and engages over 3 million youth in work-based learning, entrepreneurship, and training.
We are a global team of innovators, implementers, and changemakers
With about 1,500 staff across U.S. offices, remote locations, and international field offices, EDC is dedicated to advancing education, workforce development, and health.



