News Roundup – 5/17

Our weekly roundup of education technology, workforce technology, and venture capital news.

Billions are spent on educational technology, but we don’t know if it works – During the COVID lockdown, and even post-pandemic with the increasing number of school closures since, education technology has played a significant role in keeping students learning. While there is no doubt edtech is widely used, there is a lack of understanding regarding its effectiveness, with concerns about negative impacts like excessive advertising to children. There is a need to assess and ensure the quality of edtech. One suggestion is for collaboration between tech developers and learning scientists to embed research into design. Establishing standardized metrics for evaluating edtech efficacy is crucial, given the multitude of evaluation frameworks available. Initiatives like the International Certification of Evidence of Impact in Education aim to consolidate research approaches globally, facilitating informed decisions for schools and parents navigating the diverse edtech landscape. We must create standards to ensure edtech benefits children’s learning effectively.

We know how important efficacy is – it’s one of the factors we evaluate our portfolio companies for in our latest Impact Report. Download it now to learn more.

These US Universities Graduate The Highest Number Of Funded Founders – It seems there is still a correlation between graduating from a prestigious universitiy and securing funding for startup founders. According to Crunchbase, founders from Stanford University, Harvard University, and MIT consistently attracting capital, with the data over the past year reaffirming these universities’ dominance in producing funded founders. Additionally, the article ranks 32 U.S. schools based on the number of founders who raised rounds recently, showcasing a diverse mix of universities across regions and student body sizes. UC Berkeley leads among public universities, with other top performers including the University of Michigan, UCLA, and The University of Texas at Austin. Business schools like Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, and Penn’s Wharton School notably contribute to their universities’ high rankings. Despite some fluctuations, the top rankings have remained relatively stable over the years, with the dataset focusing on companies that raised $100,000 or more in the past year.

What Worries District Tech Leaders Most About AI? (It’s Not About Teaching) – The article highlights the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education by teachers admist raising concerns among school district tech leaders regarding cybersecurity risks. The Consortium for School Networking’s report emphasizes the potential of AI in education while noting worries about new forms of cyberattacks enabled by AI, lack of teacher training in AI integration, and broader concerns like cyberbullying and data privacy threats. The reality is that most districts lack defined policies for AI use, posing challenges in reassessing tech tools with AI integration. Districts face difficulties addressing these concerns while dealing budget constraints and staffing shortages, emphasizing the need to work with AI while ensuring cybersecurity and student data protection.

What Companies Get Wrong About Skills-Based Hiring – In an effort to enhance diversity and access to talent, companies have been shifting towards skills-based hiring as an alternative to traditional degree requirements in job postings. While many companies have committed to eliminating degree requirements, there is a disconnect between job ads and actual hiring practices. The research indicates that although the number of job postings no longer requiring degrees has increased, the actual hiring of candidates without degrees remains low. To rectify this, there are practical steps for companies to implement effective skills-based hiring, including celebrating success stories, defining skill requirements, redesigning onboarding processes, promoting from within, and acknowledging roles that genuinely require a college degree.

After-school programs expect to scale down with pandemic aid ending – Beginning with the pandemic and increasing ever since, after-school programs have been crucial in providing academic support, school connectedness, and engagement for students. Despite lockdowns, many programs continued online services, including tutoring and extracurricular activities. Yet even during the 2023-24 school year, a significant percentage of U.S. public schools offered after-school programs, focusing on academic support, particularly in high-poverty areas serving students of color. However, challenges like limited access, reduced operations, and staffing issues persist, with concerns about long-term funding and future sustainability. While some providers received pandemic relief funds leading to improvements in services and staffing, worries about funding sustainability remain prevalent. Staffing also remains a major challenge, with efforts to address it including wage increases, professional development, and childcare support for staff.

Our portfolio includes companies like BAM and Concentric Educational Solutions that focus on after school programs and one-on-one tutoring and mentorship.

Democrats and Republicans Alike Still See Value in a Degree – According to a recent survey, despite criticisms and declining confidence in higher education, a majority of Americans still believe in the value of a college degree, no matter their political affiliation. While 80% of respondents view higher education positively, only 56% hold a favorable view of the U.S. higher education system as a whole. The survey also reveals concerns about rising college costs and the need for institutions to be accountable for student outcomes, with 70% of respondents supporting the idea that programs should demonstrate graduates’ ability to repay student loans to receive federal financial aid. Additionally, there is a growing emphasis on transparency and accountability in higher education to address concerns about ROI and student success post-graduation.

Technology-Powered Mental Health Initiatives Save Students’ Lives – This is a case study of the Encinitas Union School District in California which has proactively retooled its content filter to monitor student online behavior for signs of self-harm, using technologies like Lightspeed Alert and iboss Student Risk Module. By capturing students’ online activities, the district has successfully intervened in potential self-harm situations, ultimately saving students’ lives. This proactive approach, supported by a focus on social-emotional health and collaboration across departments, has garnered positive responses from families and led to effective interventions when concerning behavior is flagged. The district’s efforts also extend to addressing bullying and promoting digital citizenship, emphasizing the importance of early detection and intervention in ensuring student well-being and safety.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we wanted to highlight this story, as well as our own portfolio company, Mantra Health, in an effort to reduce the stigma associated with seeking help for mental health. Learn more.

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