What We’ve Learned and How it Benefits You
For over three decades, CSA Education has been a steadfast partner to educational publishers and providers, helping to shape the future of learning. Our journey, which began as Creative Services Associates in 1989, is a testament to our adaptability and unwavering commitment to excellence. We’ve not only witnessed monumental shifts in the educational publishing industry, but we have also proactively evolved to stay at the forefront, ensuring that our clients—and by extension, the learners they serve—are always equipped for success.
When our founder, Carole Palmer, established the company, the educational landscape was vastly different. Content creation was a largely print-based process, and the focus was on traditional textbook development. Over the years, we watched as the industry began its slow but steady march toward digitalization. What started as a move from print to CD-ROMs and online platforms has since accelerated into a dynamic ecosystem of digital curriculum, interactive resources, and personalized learning experiences.
Our first major adaptation came as a response to this shift. The increasing complexity of standards and the need for content to align with a multitude of state and national frameworks led us to establish our dedicated Alignment Services department in 2010. This was a critical moment for us, as it solidified our role not just as content creators, but as strategic partners who help publishers navigate the intricate web of educational mandates.
Adapting to a Changing World
The most transformative change in our history occurred in 2016, when our current CEO, John Quinn, purchased the company and ushered in a new era of growth and innovation. The 2020 rebrand to CSA Education was more than just a name change—it was a public declaration of our singular focus on the education industry. This clarity and alignment allowed us to deepen our expertise and attract a talented, nationwide team of professionals.
One of the most significant pivots we made was becoming a fully remote company in 2020. This decision was not merely a reaction to global events, but a strategic choice that opened our doors to a nationwide talent pool, allowing us to connect with the best and most specialized experts in every subject area and at every grade level. This distributed model also gave us the flexibility to scale our operations to meet the specific needs of any project, big or small. This foresight proved invaluable, as it allowed us to continue business operations without interruption during the COVID-19 pandemic. We moved our entire organization to a remote work model, providing contingency plans to ensure projects remained on track and assisting clients with planning for new initiatives in a time of great uncertainty.
A Full Suite of Services for the Modern Learner
The benefits of our evolution are tangible for our clients. Our nearly 35 years of experience mean we have a profound understanding of what works and what doesn’t. We’ve honed our processes and built a vast network of vetted contractors through Team CSA, our freelancer network launched in 2021. This allows us to offer a full suite of services, from content development and editorial services, to professional learning and project management. Whether it’s creating a brand new curriculum from scratch, developing assessments, or providing expert editorial support, our long history in the field means we can anticipate challenges and deliver solutions that are both high-quality and on-time.
Our commitment to staying ahead of industry trends is ongoing. In recent years, we’ve expanded our services to include high-demand areas like Career & Technical Education (CTE) and World Languages. Furthermore, in 2024, we formally expanded our offerings to include Professional Learning. We recognize that a well-designed curriculum is only half the battle; the continuous professional growth of the educators who deliver it is key to unlocking its full potential.
Our Approach to AI: Augmentation, Not Replacement
The latest shift in educational technology is the rapid advancement of generative AI. At CSA Education, we view AI as a valuable tool, but not a substitute for the high-quality content we create. Our team is confident in our ability to provide quality products with the support of AI models, and we have a clear policy for its use that all of our staff and contractors follow. Barring client approval, we see AI as a way to augment our work, using it for brainstorming, research, and generating raw manuscript that is then fully edited by a human. Our approach prioritizes efficiency, effectiveness, and accuracy, and when AI tools lead to cost savings, those savings are reflected in our rates to the client.
In an industry that is constantly changing, our long history provides a stable foundation built on expertise and trust. We have learned that the key to longevity is not just adapting to change, but actively anticipating it. This experience directly benefits you, our partners, by providing you with a reliable ally who understands your challenges and has a proven track record of helping you achieve your goals. Our journey of over three decades is a journey of learning, growing, and perfecting our craft—all for the benefit of the learners of today and tomorrow.
