Wiley and Vanderbilt University’s Heard Libraries Sign Agreement to Publish More Open Access Research

For the US Postal Service, 2020 has hardly ever been a dull moment. As if the stormy tenure of new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, the controversial service changes and their impact on mail-in voting, the barrage of Covid-fueled package volume, and the plunge in letter and flat mail volume weren't all enough, on Nov. 30th, the Postal Regulatory Commission issued its final review in its 10-year review of postal rate-making. As we've been warning, it's potentially catastrophic news for catalog mailers, as future postage rates for flats could skyrocket. That potentially game-changing news came less than two weeks after the USPS announced a significant shake-up in its executive ranks. And all of this comes on the eve of another postal rate hike taking effect in late January. In a 60-minute web meeting on Tuesday, December 15th at 1:00 pm EST, the ACMA will host a panel of experts to not only dig into what's taking place but also what you as a merchant can do going forward. Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtd-2uqDIqH90u-NsYNBS7_KqUq6SOL7OX Moderated by ACMA President & Executive Director Hamilton Davison (below left), the panel will also include Matthew Field (center). A partner with Venable LLP, Mr. Field is a knowledgeable regulatory counselor and skilled litigator who represents clients in highly regulated industries with extensive experience in postal and energy regulation. He'll be joined by ACMA's Postal Economist Robert Mitchell (right). Mr. Mitchell's career in postal affairs dates back more than 45 years. He had a lengthy tenure as principal economist with the USPS, then become special assistant to the Commission at the then-Postal Rate Commission. Over the past 18 years, he has served as a postal consultant, the last 12 advising the ACMA. Members of ACMA's Postal Committee will also be on hand. There are a limited number of spots available for this webinar (via Zoom meeting) so register soon. All ACMA members are welcome. Non-members are eligible, but pending demand levels, some registrations may be declined in favor of members and will be taken in order received so register now.

The Commission’s primary areas of review, its findings, as well as recommendations and directives, include: The Commission finds that all workshare discounts in effect in FY 2023 were in compliance at the time they were introduced in rate adjustment proceedings based on the most recent avoided costs available at the time. The Commission finds the Periodicals class, and both products within it, were non-compensatory in FY 2023. Additionally, the Commission identifies the following non-compensatory products in compensatory classes: (1) USPS Marketing Mail Flats, (2) USPS Marketing Mail Carrier Route, and (3) Media Mail/Library Mail. The Commission notes that two classes were fully compensatory in FY 2023, with both the class and all products within the class covering attributable costs: First-Class Mail and Special Services. Taken together, the Postal Service lost $1.34 billion in FY 2023 from non-compensatory classes and products. The Commission’s review of Competitive products finds that revenues for four Competitive products with rates of general applicability did not cover attributable costs and, therefore, did not comply with 39 U.S.C. § 3633(a)(2). The Commission also finds that the Postal Service’s Interagency Agreements provided a net contribution to the Postal Service in compliance with 39 U.S.C. § 3704.

Adaptive learning company HMH today announced HMH Classcraft’s TM AI Summarization tool, which allows teachers to quickly understand student comprehension and adapt instruction in the moment. This innovative tool, powered by generative AI, analyzes open text responses from students working in small groups or individually and provides educators with a quick and insightful summary of how the class is doing, followed by helpful feedback recommendations. This new functionality makes it easier for educators to use proven instructional strategies like “turn and talk,” a common teaching method where peers discuss relevant classroom content with one another. Classcraft allows students to submit written comments during turn and talk conversations, which are then intelligently summarized by the GenAI and shared with the educator.