Edtech and Workforce Development News Roundup - 7/18
- Heather Harman
- Jul 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 30
Our weekly roundup of education technology, workforce development, and venture capital news.
Faced with rapid technological advancement and systemic inequalities, education must evolve to meet new challenges and opportunities. From preparing graduates for the AI-driven job market to addressing historic disparities rooted in geographic and socioeconomic factors, innovative solutions are essential. Edtech companies, educators, and policymakers are increasingly collaborating to create equitable, future-ready learning environments that empower all students to thrive in an uncertain world. The articles in this week's News Roundup highlight the critical strategies and partnerships shaping the future of education, ensuring it remains inclusive, relevant, and effective.
How to prepare graduates for the AI revolution – There is an imminent challenge faced by recent graduates as AI accelerates automation of entry-level jobs and internships, traditionally vital for skill development and career launch. With fewer opportunities available, colleges and employers are increasingly integrating work-based learning, experiential projects, and "learn-and-earn" models to equip students with practical skills, higher-order thinking, and AI literacy. This shift is crucial for workforce development companies and EdTech providers, as they must innovate to prepare students for a future where AI is a collaborative partner in the workplace. Emphasizing real-world experience and adapting educational strategies ensures graduates remain competitive and capable of thriving in an evolving job landscape.
How ZIP Codes Determine a Child’s Future — and What We Can Do to Fight Back – It’s not exactly news that there are deep-rooted systemic inequities in the U.S. education system, which leads to housing discrimination, redlining, and gentrification perpetuate racial and economic segregation in schools. Neighborhood-based school funding and zoning policies reinforce disparities, limiting opportunities for Black, Latinx, and low-income students while privileging wealthier communities. There’s an urgent need to address structural inequalities in education to ensure equitable access and opportunity for all children. Edtech companies can help level the playing field by developing tools that promote transparency in school funding and resource allocation, creating inclusive digital platforms for open enrollment across districts, offering personalized learning solutions tailored to underserved communities, and providing accessible virtual resources that bridge gaps caused by geographic and socioeconomic barriers. Additionally, partnering with communities to develop culturally responsive content and supporting policies that decentralize educational opportunities can help dismantle systemic inequities.
For Once, Public Confidence in Higher Ed Has Increased – The Lumina Foundation-Gallup survey reveals a modest rebound in American confidence in higher education, with 42% expressing trust (up six points) mainly due to perceptions of excellence and innovation, despite ongoing concerns about political agendas, costs, and relevance. Confidence has grown among graduates, non-graduates, and across political lines. For edtech and workforce development companies, this shift presents opportunities to promote innovative, affordable, and relevant solutions that address persistent barriers and cater to diverse learners. As perceptions improve, these companies can position themselves as vital partners in enhancing educational outcomes and restoring trust in higher education.
New partnership with tech giants could shape AI in schools – OpenAI has partnered with the American Federation of Teachers to launch the National Academy for AI Instruction, a five-year initiative aimed at training 400,000 K-12 teachers to effectively incorporate AI into their classrooms. With a $10 million investment from OpenAI and support from Microsoft and Anthropic, the program will establish training hubs across the U.S., focusing on equity and accessibility. The effort comes amid increasing AI adoption in schools, with many teachers already using AI tools to save time and enhance instruction. OpenAI emphasizes empowering educators to lead the integration of AI in education to improve student outcomes. The program highlights the potential for AI to transform teaching and learning at a systemic level, encouraging edtech developers and policymakers to focus on creating tools and strategies that support widespread, equitable adoption of AI in education systems globally.
OPINION: It should not be so hard to transfer from community college, so let’s remove the roadblocks – Edtech can play a crucial role in removing barriers to education, particularly in streamlining the transfer process for community college students pursuing STEM degrees. Innovative tools like AI-driven transfer and articulation networks can provide clear, real-time information about course equivalencies and requirements across institutions, reducing confusion and saving students time. Additionally, digital platforms can facilitate flexible course scheduling, support personalized advising to address math anxiety, and create more transparent pathways for credit transfer. By leveraging technology to simplify complex transfer procedures and align curricula, edtech can help expand access, improve completion rates, and ensure that students from diverse backgrounds have a fair opportunity to achieve high-value degrees.
AI Is Changing Classrooms. Should Teachers Help Build It? – As AI transforms K-12 education, edtech and workforce development companies have a vital role in empowering educators to shape and responsibly implement AI tools. They can support this by creating inclusive, educator-led AI development platforms that allow teachers to contribute their expertise, especially from underrepresented communities. Additionally, companies should prioritize comprehensive professional development that goes beyond technical literacy to include leadership and change management, fostering trust and skepticism as catalysts for meaningful adoption. By actively involving educators in the design and implementation of AI solutions, edtech firms can help ensure these technologies are equitable, effective, and aligned with classroom needs, ultimately enabling teachers to become creators and leaders in AI integration rather than just consumers.
As we navigate these transformative times, embracing innovation and equity in education will be key to unlocking opportunities for every learner. By addressing systemic barriers and harnessing the potential of AI and technology, stakeholders can build a more just and adaptable educational landscape that prepares students not just for today, but for the future ahead.