Edtech and Workforce Development News Roundup - 6/13
- Heather Harman
- Jun 13
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 30
Our weekly roundup of education technology, workforce development, and venture capital news.
In today’s rapidly evolving educational and workforce landscapes, staying informed about innovative strategies and pressing challenges is essential. From adopting holistic, ethical data practices in schools to addressing the persistent barriers to advanced degrees and college completion, the articles in this week's News Roundup highlight the critical role of technology, policy, and collaboration in shaping a more equitable future. Additionally, emerging trends in skills-based hiring and workforce readiness underscore the need for adaptable, inclusive approaches to support learners and workers alike.
Toward a Holistic Approach to Data-Informed Decision-Making in Education – The importance of adopting a holistic, ethical, and context-aware approach to data-informed decision-making in education is crucial. This article highlights that data should complement human judgment rather than replace it. It advocates for a culture that values inquiry, equity, and continuous improvement through diverse data collection, careful analysis, and collaboration. Edtech companies can contribute significantly by developing tools that facilitate multi-source data gathering, including dark data like wellness surveys and facility usage, while ensuring data transparency and accessibility. Additionally, AI-driven analytics can support personalized learning and early intervention if designed responsibly with a focus on equity and ethics. Supporting educators with data literacy training and intuitive platforms will empower schools to leverage data effectively, ensuring it serves as a mirror that reveals insights into student experiences and systemic barriers, ultimately fostering more equitable and responsive educational environments.
No Pipeline, No Progress: Meeting The Demand For Advanced Degrees – While there is still a growing demand for master's and doctoral degrees in the U.S., as they are essential for leadership and middle-class jobs, it’s important to review the persistent inequalities in access due to high costs and limited support for underrepresented and low-income students. Despite the vital role of graduate education in fostering innovation and competitiveness, programs remain underfunded and insufficiently inclusive, with most opportunities concentrated among privileged groups. Nonprofits and private sectors are stepping in, but their reach is limited. What’s needed for change is coordinated investments across government, industry, and educational institutions to expand financial aid, mentorship, and data transparency, emphasizing that graduate education is a critical national priority for equitable opportunity and sustained leadership.
Some College, No Degree Population Grows by 2.1M – Concern is rising around the number of U.S. adults who have completed some college credits but have not earned a credential (SCNC), with nearly 37.5 million people in this group under age 65. Despite efforts to improve postsecondary persistence, many students leave college without completing their credentials, often due to personal or financial barriers. Re-enrollment rates are increasing, with over a million SCNC individuals returning or earning credentials in 2023–24, often switching institutions or moving online, which can complicate credit transfer and credential completion. EdTech can play a vital role in addressing these challenges by providing flexible, personalized online learning experiences, facilitating credit transfer through digital platforms, and offering targeted support to re-engage students who have paused their education. These technological solutions can help lower barriers, improve student retention, and accelerate credential completion, ultimately closing attainment gaps.
Chronic Absenteeism’s Post-COVID ‘New Normal’: Research Shows It Is More Common, More Extreme – Edtech offers promising solutions to address the rising issue of chronic absenteeism. Online platforms like Google Classroom and other digital tools have made it easier for students to catch up on missed work, reducing disengagement caused by absences. Data tracking systems implemented by states now provide real-time attendance information, enabling schools to identify at-risk students early and intervene promptly. Additionally, virtual counseling, personalized learning apps, and communication tools can help address underlying barriers such as transportation or housing insecurity, especially for low-income students. By leveraging these technologies, schools can foster greater engagement, facilitate timely interventions, and ultimately work towards reducing absenteeism and its disparities.
SHRM Foundation Launches the Center for a Skills First Future, the Nation’s Most Comprehensive Hub for Skills-First Hiring and Advancement – The SHRM Foundation's Center for a Skills First Future (SFF) is an innovative initiative dedicated to transforming workforce development by promoting skills-based hiring and talent growth. It provides employers with practical tools, resources, and insights to shift from traditional degree requirements toward a focus on skills, performance, and potential. By encouraging skills-first practices, the center helps expand talent pools—especially among individuals without four-year degrees—addressing widespread talent shortages. It also reduces hiring costs by up to 30% and turnover by over 40%, making recruitment more efficient. The center offers resources like the Skills Action Planner, a resource library, credential programs, and a vendor database to facilitate adoption. Supported by leading organizations and partners, SFF fosters collaboration and innovation to build adaptable, inclusive workforces, ultimately addressing skills gaps and promoting equitable employment opportunities.
Nearly half of CEOs say employees are resistant or even hostile to AI – Despite 95% of companies investing in AI, only 14% have aligned their workforce strategies, with about 70% of leaders feeling employees are unprepared to utilize AI effectively. Resistance and trust issues, especially in sectors like healthcare, further impede adoption. Workforce development companies can address this gap by assessing skills, designing tailored training programs, supporting change management, guiding strategic workforce planning, fostering an innovation-friendly culture, and providing scalable resources. These efforts can help organizations develop a future-ready workforce, ensuring AI investments lead to sustained growth.
As developments continue to unfold in edtech and workforce development, it’s clear that a coordinated effort—leveraging technology, fostering equity, and investing in human capital—is vital for meaningful progress. By embracing these insights, educators, policymakers, and employers can better navigate the complexities of education and work, ensuring opportunities are accessible and responsive to diverse needs.