Free Textbook Initiative Expands in Virginia

The push for open educational resources (OER) in the Virginia Community College System is expanding. The system on Monday announced a $200,000 grant from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, which will be used to pilot degree programs using free textbooks and other materials at 15 community colleges. The pilot is estimated to save 50,000 students about $100 each -- or more than $5 million in total -- in its first year, according to a press release.