Edtech and Workforce Development News Roundup - 12/19
- Heather Harman
- 10 hours ago
- 4 min read
Our weekly roundup of education technology, workforce development, and venture capital news.
In today's ever-changing world of education and workforce development, technology is increasingly shaping the opportunities available to students, schools, and employers. From online talent marketplaces and cutting-edge edtech tools to personalized support systems and updated regulations, these changes reflect a shared effort to make education more transparent, results-focused, and centered around the learner. As everyone involved embraces these innovations, we're seeing exciting possibilities to make education more accessible, relevant, and impactful for all.
Education Department Creates $15M Fund for Talent Marketplaces – The Department of Education has launched a $15 million grant competition to develop statewide “Talent Marketplaces,” digital platforms that track students’ credentials, skills, and employment history. These systems aim to validate skills, facilitate stackable credentials, and recognize prior learning, thereby expanding workforce opportunities and strengthening the economy. This initiative significantly impacts edtech by advancing digital credentialing and skill-matching tools, and it enhances workforce development efforts by improving access to career pathways and aligning talent with employer needs. The program supports innovation in education technology and workforce readiness, fostering broader participation and better employment outcomes.
How two new rules are reshaping career education – New federal gainful employment (GE) and financial value transparency (FVT) rules will undoubtedly have an effect on the edtech and workforce development industries. These regulations require colleges to demonstrate that their programs provide a genuine return on investment and prepare students for occupations that cannot be easily obtained through high school pathways or industry certifications. As a result, many redundant or low-value programs, particularly in for-profit sectors, may lose access to federal financial aid, prompting institutions to redesign offerings, focus on labor-market relevance, and strengthen partnerships with K-12 and employers. This shift encourages edtech providers to develop innovative, targeted training solutions that meet new standards, fostering a more efficient, transparent, and workforce-aligned postsecondary landscape that benefits students by reducing debt and improving career prospects.
When Resources Meet Relationships: The Returns to Personalized Supports for Low-Income Students – A new study highlights the effectiveness of personalized support programs like Communities In Schools (CIS) in helping low-income students succeed academically and in the long term. CIS employs navigators who connect students to tailored services such as tutoring, mentoring, food assistance, and housing support, addressing both academic and non-cognitive challenges. The study finds that students in CIS schools experience significant gains in test scores, graduation rates, college enrollment, and future earnings, with long-term benefits estimated at over $36,000 in increased lifetime earnings per student. Edtech can enhance these efforts by providing data-driven tools for personalized support, tracking student progress in real time, and facilitating connections to resources, thereby amplifying the program’s impact and enabling scalable, efficient interventions tailored to each student’s needs.
2,739 Ed Tech Tools Later, Where Are the Outcomes? – Today’s schools navigate a complex environment of educational technology, with districts accessing thousands of tools annually, often without clear evidence of their impact on student learning. Despite limited proof of effectiveness, decisions are frequently driven by cost and features rather than outcomes. To address this, districts and providers must embrace outcomes-based contracting, which links funding to measurable student gains, emphasizes implementation support, and ensures accountability. This approach shifts focus from flashy features to proven results, fostering shared responsibility for success. By prioritizing evidence, clear expectations, and effective implementation of edtech, districts can maximize their investments, improve teaching practices, and ultimately achieve meaningful learning improvements.
What Students Actually Want From Edtech — and Why We Should Listen – A study funded by the Gates Foundation and conducted by ISTE+ASCD highlights the importance of prioritizing student usability in edtech product design. Students value easy-to-use, intuitive interfaces, meaningful engagement through gamification, mobile accessibility, and customizable features that respect their individual needs while maintaining clear guidance. The research reveals a gap between current edtech offerings and student needs, emphasizing that students should be central to the design process. Edtech companies can learn from these findings by involving students in co-design, focusing on simplicity and clarity, and balancing customization with guided learning. For buyers, evaluating products for genuine student-centered features is crucial. Ultimately, centering student voices will lead to more effective, engaging, and accessible educational technology.
OPINION: Colleges too often drop the ball on student-athlete mental health, and that’s a big mistake – Edtech can significantly enhance mental health care for student-athletes in higher education. Despite increased pressures from lucrative deals, NIL contracts, and transfer challenges, mental health resources remain inadequate, with limited staff and cultural barriers. Edtech solutions, such as online mental health platforms, digital screenings, and culturally responsive training modules, can expand access to licensed providers, improve mental health literacy among coaches, and foster stigma-free environments. These technologies enable proactive, personalized support, helping student-athletes manage stress, navigate complex athletic and academic demands, and ensure their well-being is prioritized alongside athletic success.
The integration of technology and policy reforms is transforming education to better meet the needs of learners and the workforce, emphasizing accountability, personalization, and student engagement. Embracing these changes will be essential for creating more equitable, effective, and future-ready educational environments.
