News Roundup – 6/28

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

The future of career exploration is virtual – In many industries there is a skills gap due to a lack of proper training for workers. Many states have started implementing laws to expand career exploration opportunities for students, but traditional methods are deemed inefficient. This article proposes a shift towards experiential learning to provide students with a broader view of career options. By utilizing technology like extended reality (XR) experiences, students can explore various careers in-depth and understand their strengths and weaknesses. This approach not only prepares students for current job opportunities but also helps them adapt to future market shifts. Ultimately, the goal is to empower students to make informed career decisions based on their unique skills and interests.

Social Impact For A Better Future (and Profit) – The author of this article argues that banks should invest in tackling poverty in education not just for philanthropy, but also because it can generate economic benefits for the state. By investing in education, banks can see a return on their investment through increased taxes and decreased expenses, such as unemployment benefits and health costs. Projects like the QuBì Project in Milan, funded by a collaboration of private investors, foundations, and the Municipality of Milan, have shown significant impact in combating educational poverty. Initiatives like these, which are measured for their social efficacy and economic return, demonstrate the potential for profitable social investments. Additionally, projects like School for Life, supported by companies like Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit, and Banco BPM, are making strides in reducing school dropouts and providing vocational training opportunities for students. This highlights the importance of investing in education for a better future and profit.

OPINION: There’s a promising path to get students back on track to graduation – Chronic absenteeism rates in schools are at record-high levels, with more than 1 in 4 students missing 10 percent or more of the school year, according to Attendance Works. This crisis disrupts entire school communities, affecting both students who are regularly attending and those who are not. However, a recent study undertaken by The GRAD Partnership shows promising results in reducing chronic absenteeism and course failure rates by harnessing data and relationships to support students’ academic progress and well-being. Student success systems, developed with input from educators, aim to identify factors impacting attendance and provide timely supports to meet individual students’ needs. This approach prioritizes building supportive relationships within schools and communities to help students feel connected and engaged. Ongoing collaborative efforts guided by data and relationships are necessary to address the absenteeism crisis and prevent severe consequences for students and the country as a whole.

Concentric Education Solutions, our portfolio company, is leading the charge against chronic absenteeism with cutting-edge technology and hands-on solutions. Learn more about the work they do.

Finding the Right Technology for Early Elementary Classrooms – Managing technology rollouts for young students can be challenging, especially when facing clunky and frustrating apps. The key features to look for in educational technology for little ones include safety, inclusivity, engaging content, alignment with curriculum goals, ease of navigation, connecting school and home, personalized learning, insightful assessments, and user-friendly data tools. By selecting tools that meet these criteria, and an approach that keeps the end user in mind, educators can enhance learning and support the development of young learners in their classrooms.

Quantifying the connection between education and economic opportunity – The Strada Education Foundation has developed the State Opportunity Index to evaluate how well each state prepares graduates for the workforce and a living wage through post-secondary education. The index includes a state-by-state return on investment calculation for graduates with bachelor’s and associate degrees, with California and New York showing the highest ROI and Idaho the lowest. It also assesses priorities like clear outcomes, quality coaching, affordability, work-based learning, and employer alignment in each state, providing recommendations for improvement. The index could be enhanced by considering non-college pathways, K-12 education impact, and remote work in economic opportunities.

SIIA warns schools and ed tech to prepare for costly, time-consuming Title II compliance – A recent whitepaper from the Software and Information Industry Association outlines the significant costs and time required for school districts and edtech companies to comply with the U.S. Department of Justice’s new Title II rule on web content accessibility. Estimates suggest that K-12 classroom courses will cost $1.134 billion to conform, while postsecondary courses will cost $5.5 billion. Schools and universities have two to three years to comply, depending on population size within a state or local jurisdiction. The rule requires websites, mobile apps, and digital textbooks to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Version 2.1, Level AA standards. Exceptions include existing social media postings and third-party content without specific agreements.

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