In recent years, a growing number of states have been offering direct support for OER initiatives, contributing to the widespread adoption of open education across public higher education institutions. Yet, a persistent critical gap in our understanding of OER has to do with the organizational frameworks and sustainability prospects of these OER initiatives. Through a study funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Ithaka S+R conducted a case study research project assessing the impact and implementation of OER programs at and within four different state systems across the United States.

At the 2024 Open Education Conference on Tuesday, October 8 at 4pm ET, Ithaka S+R’s Ioana Hulbert, Mark McBride, and Deirdre Harkins will join Angela DeBarger in a session that will share findings from a series for 12 interviews conducted in early 2024, shedding new light on how OER leaders work towards a holistic understanding of sustainability, including insights related to assessment of effectiveness, communicating the value proposition of initiatives, risks, mission-alignment, and equity impacts.