News Roundup – 8/9

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

How Schools Are Holding Edtech Products to a Higher Standard – The adoption of educational technology in K-12 schools has significantly increased, prompting school leaders to strategically evaluate and purchase technologies that positively impact teaching and learning. However, effectively assessing edtech products presents challenges such as balancing diverse needs, ensuring data privacy, and aligning with educational goals. Educational technology leaders Susan Uram from Rockford Public Schools, April Chamberlain from Trussville City Schools, and Jessica Peters from KIPP DC Public Schools share insights on their approaches, highlighting collaborative evaluations that involve various stakeholders and utilize tools, such as the Teacher Ready Evaluation Framework. This framework helps streamline the assessment process by focusing on data-driven analysis rather than subjective judgments, ultimately encouraging better decision-making around technology in education.

Alternative STEM education: free, short-term programs offer non-college path to tech jobs – This article focuses on one student’s transformative journey from a PetSmart employee to a burgeoning software engineer, which exemplifies the impact of nonprofit education programs like the Marcy Lab School and Hack the Hood, which provide free, short-term training for underrepresented communities in tech. These innovative institutions address significant barriers to STEM education by offering pathways that skip the traditional college route, thereby enabling students from low-income backgrounds to secure high-paying tech jobs without incurring debt. These programs highlight the need for alternative educational models that prioritize accessibility and job placement, and they serve as powerful examples of how investment in community-based training can foster diversity within the tech workforce, promoting economic mobility and social equity.

Our portfolio company, App Academy, offers training at no cost to the student until they’re hired. Plus, the offer a self-guided option for free, so cost isn’t a barrier. Learn more about their coding curriculum.

Financial barriers prevented low-income students from accessing summer learning – A recent Gallup poll revealed that 55% of K-12 parents reported their children attended structured summer learning programs, but participation was significantly lower among lower-income families (38%) compared to higher-income ones (67%). Many parents expressed a desire for their children to engage in more summer activities, but 32% of respondents reported they couldn’t or found it difficult because of financial barriers. Summer programs have been effective in addressing academic lags post-pandemic, particularly in math, but federal pandemic funding depletion may lead to significant cuts in these programs. As districts brace for budget constraints in 2024 and beyond, the introduction of the Summer for All Act, which aims to allocate $4 billion over four years for summer learning grants, could provide crucial support, particularly for at-risk students. For those in the edtech sector, these developments underscore the urgent need for scalable, affordable digital solutions to enhance access to summer learning opportunities, particularly for underserved populations.

What’s Behind the Explosion of Apprenticeships in Early Childhood Education? – The article highlights the rapid growth of registered apprenticeship programs in early childhood education, reflecting a significant shift in how the sector is addressing workforce challenges. One educator’s story serves to exemplify the benefits of these programs, which enable early childhood workers to earn while they learn, providing them with critical knowledge and skills in the field. With federal funding and heightened awareness of workforce shortcomings, 35 states now offer such apprenticeships, addressing low wages and high turnover rates in this essential sector. The model not only supports individual educators but also improves the quality of care for children, benefiting families and early learning programs alike. This trend underscores the need for innovative digital solutions that can enhance training and support for educators within such apprenticeship frameworks, integrating technology to streamline coursework and mentorship while addressing the unique demands of the early education workforce – a prime opportunity for edtech innovators.

In the Age of AI, Edtech Needs Inclusive Innovation More Than Ever – In the post-pandemic educational landscape, reliance on edtech tools has surged due to learning loss; however, most products lack credible evidence of their efficacy, with only 39% supported by published research. This trend highlights a critical gap in the edtech market, where many purchasing decisions are based on peer recommendations rather than solid evidence. The article advocates for “inclusive innovation” as a means to enhance edtech effectiveness by involving diverse user feedback in the development process. Various organizations, including Leanlab Education and Digital Promise, are fostering inclusive R&D practices that prioritize equity and engagement with diverse educational contexts. As AI enters the edtech sector, ensuring that products are both innovative and inclusive is paramount. Stakeholders—including educators, solution providers, and funders—are encouraged to embrace collaborative methods that can lead to meaningful improvements in student outcomes. Overall, recognizing the importance of evidence-based practices in edtech adoption is vital for those in the industry seeking to create impactful solutions.

EdTech Top 40: It’s all about unique tools and interoperability – The 2024 EdTechTop 40 list, published by LearnPlatform by Instructure, highlights the ongoing experimentation with digital tools among districts, teachers, and students. The list includes familiar names such as Canva and Google Classroom, along with new entrants like PBS and Grammarly. It reveals a notable increase in the adoption of digital tools, with schools utilizing 8% more than the previous year, averaging 2,739 distinct tools over the school year. As districts seek to enhance learning, they face challenges in selecting safe and effective tools that integrate well. Educators aim to use technology primarily to boost student engagement, personalize learning, and save time, although less than a third of the tools meet the Every Student Succeeds Act’s evidence standards. For the full list, check out the article.

50 Over 50: Impact – In this roundup of powerful women, Forbes highlights the work of 50 groundbreaking women over 50 who understand that age and experience can be the best tools for success—and that they are proof there is no deadline for becoming who you are meant to be. We’re excited to see that Arti Finn, Co-Founder and Chief Strategic Officer of Orijin, one of our portfolio companies, is featured in this list – a much-deserved accolade. Check out the other 49 who made it on 2024’s list.

Learn more about the work Orijin does to help justice-impacted individuals find new beginnings.

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