Edtech and Workforce Development News Roundup - 8/29
- Heather Harman
- Aug 29
- 4 min read
Our weekly roundup of education technology, workforce development, and venture capital news.
The recent state of education is marked by innovative strategies and technological advancements aimed at enhancing student success and equity. From the implementation of high-impact tutoring programs that close achievement gaps to the thoughtful integration of AI tools designed to support teaching and learning, educators and policymakers are exploring new ways to make education more effective and accessible. Additionally, addressing challenges like chronic absenteeism and supporting nontraditional learners highlight the importance of community engagement, flexible career readiness initiatives, and personalized approaches. Meanwhile, edtech startups are navigating the rapidly evolving AI ecosystem, seeking opportunities to differentiate themselves and foster meaningful educational outcomes. Together, these ideas underscore a shared commitment to leveraging evidence-based practices, technology, and collaboration to transform education for all learners.
Schools look for ways to maintain high-impact tutoring amid tightening budgets – The transformative impact of high-impact tutoring programs, like Summer Boost funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, provide intensive, small-group academic support to students, particularly those furthest from opportunity. These programs have demonstrated significant academic gains in reading and math, improved student engagement, attendance, and confidence, and are viewed as essential tools for closing achievement gaps. Despite funding challenges following the phase-out of COVID relief dollars, districts like Washington, D.C., are investing heavily to embed high-impact tutoring into regular education, emphasizing its effectiveness as an equitable and powerful method for accelerating student learning and fostering meaningful relationships between students and adults.
More Schools Are Considering Education-Focused AI Tools. What’s the Best Way to Use Them? – Effective integration of AI tools, such as AI Teacher Assistants, in the classroom can enhance teaching and student outcomes. Best practices include setting clear guardrails and goals early, fostering collaborative discussions among educators about their use, and ensuring human oversight to maintain meaningful human connections. Educators must be critically evaluating these tools for biases, data privacy, and their alignment with existing curriculum, rather than relying solely on proprietary-generated content. By embedding AI thoughtfully into lesson planning and maintaining a human-in-the-loop approach, schools can leverage edtech's benefits while mitigating potential risks, promoting a balanced and responsible adoption of AI in education.
How to Make Career Connections for Online Learners – A recent report from The Center for Higer Education Policy and Practice at Southern Hampshire University emphasizes the importance of enhancing career readiness for nontraditional, online, and working students in higher education, recognizing that most students pursue college to improve their economic prospects. Given that many adult learners face barriers to engaging with traditional career services, the report advocates for flexible, workforce-aligned strategies such as integrated curricula focusing on real-world skills, tailored career exploration activities, and accessible support services. Examples include embedding career competencies into coursework, offering remote job shadowing, and providing dedicated counseling. The report urges institutions to meet adult learners where they are by creating authentic work experiences, valuing prior skills, offering paid opportunities, and embedding career prep into students’ existing commitments, all while utilizing data to improve program effectiveness and student outcomes.
From Passive to Powerful: How Strategic EdTech Opens Doors for Learners – Effective integration of technology in the classroom transforms learning by shifting from passive to active engagement, fostering collaboration, creativity, and inclusion. When used intentionally, edtech enhances accessibility, supports diverse learning needs, and enables real-time, remote, and student-led instruction. This approach not only improves student outcomes (boosting retention and mastery) but also increases teacher confidence and effectiveness. For school leaders, strategic use of technology offers the chance to create more inclusive, dynamic, and connected learning environments where all students can thrive.
How are education leaders combating chronic absenteeism? – To combat chronic absenteeism, various strategies are being implemented across states and districts. These include conducting home visits and engaging families to address attendance barriers, utilizing multi-tiered intervention systems based on student data, and fostering strong school-family relationships. States like Virginia and Connecticut have integrated attendance metrics into accountability systems and set ambitious reduction goals, supported by regular data collection and targeted programs. Community partnerships and dedicated funding further bolster efforts to improve attendance. While progress has been made, such as reductions from pandemic peaks, experts emphasize that sustained, comprehensive, and collaborative approaches are essential for achieving long-term improvements in school attendance.
EdTech Startups in the Age of AI Giants: Where the Risks Are and Where to Win – Recently, edtech founders have expressed concerns about big AI platforms like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft rapidly integrating into education, offering free, built-in solutions that threaten smaller startups' viability. These tech giants control important data, distribution channels, and workflows, making it difficult for startups to compete on cost, reach, and trust. However, opportunities remain for startups to succeed by focusing on niche markets, enhancing human-AI collaboration, demonstrating measurable educational outcomes, and prioritizing data privacy and trust. By addressing specific needs that big platforms overlook and building authentic relationships with educators and learners, smaller companies can carve out a resilient and impactful role in the evolving AI-driven education landscape.
As education continues to evolve in response to emerging challenges and opportunities, it is clear that intentional, innovative, and equitable approaches are key to fostering student success. Whether through high-impact tutoring, responsible AI integration, targeted career pathways, or strategic edtech development, the goal remains to create inclusive and effective learning environments that prepare students for the future. By embracing these themes and lessons, educators and leaders can build a more resilient and equitable education system that empowers every learner to thrive.