Chris Edwards

Artificial Intelligence is entering the classroom—whether schools are ready or not. And it's likely here for the long haul This white paper helps K–12 IT and education leaders move beyond the hype (or fear) and take a thoughtful, policy-informed approach to AI. #AIinEDU #Edtech

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As schools prepare for the 2025–2026 academic year, IT teams are being asked to do more with less- deliver seamless Apple experiences while balancing tighter budgets. 🍎📚 Jamf is hosting a webinar packed with practical strategies like how to: ✅ Get the most out of your Apple devices ✅ Standardize workflows for teachers and students ✅ Save costs while reducing IT support demands ✅ Keep the classroom experience smooth and uninterrupted This is one you won’t want to miss. 👉 https://okt.to/D0mq8k #EdTech #ITAdmin #ITSupport #ITPros #ITautomation #Education #Cybersecurity #MDM #TechinSchool

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We’re proud to share how Talent Together, a coalition of over 40 Michigan districts and ISDs, is revolutionizing teacher preparation through registered apprenticeships. Utilizing Craft Education System, they’ve built a scalable system to manage 80+ partners, track 250+ apprentices, and simplify reporting across a statewide initiative—all while reducing admin burden and keeping equity at the center. ➡️ Read the full case study: https://lnkd.in/gRfcQT35 #Apprenticeship #TeacherTraining #EdTech #WorkforceDevelopment #K12 #TalentTogether #CraftEducation

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The future of K-12 EdTech is shifting, and the latest SETDA report reveals some critical trends! For the first time, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has surpassed cybersecurity as the top state edtech priority and initiative.  This aligns with the broader market trend of AI being central to personalized learning, with the global EdTech market projected to reach over $400 billion by 2025. Here are the key findings from the 2025 report: AI is everywhere. States are taking action by developing policies, providing professional development, and investing in new tools. States like Utah, North Carolina, and Wyoming are leading the way by hiring specialists, creating classroom guidelines, and launching educator networks to build capacity. (Ironically, some SEAs aren't embracing AI themselves when it comes to leveraging AI for efficiency, efficiency and transparency.) Funding is the top unmet need. With federal relief funds now expired, states are grappling with tightening budgets and uncertainty about sustained funding. This has led to a major market trend: the new "prove it" standard, where districts are prioritizing solutions that can demonstrate a clear, measurable impact on student outcomes to justify their investment. Device bans are on the rise. Three out of four states have either adopted or are considering device bans to support student mental health and reduce distractions. However, many are also focusing on teaching responsible use through digital citizenship. Professional learning is a key focus. While a priority for state leaders, professional learning for educators remains an unmet need. Cybersecurity remains a critical challenge. Threats are escalating, and states are continuing to focus on infrastructure investments to address these risks. These trends highlight a moment of both challenge and opportunity for state education agencies as they chart a path forward. The report emphasizes that leaders are rising to meet the moment with creativity and pragmatism to support students and empower educators. Read the full report to dive into the details! #EdTech #K12Education #ArtificialIntelligence #EducationTrends #SETDA

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In K–12 EdTech, our world is small. Everyone knows everyone, and trust is everything. Most of the candidates I speak with aren’t actively looking. They’re happy where they are and they just take the call because they trust me to have a discreet, respectful conversation about what could be next. That trust is sacred. And in an industry this close-knit, back-channeling a candidate’s interest, even with good intentions, can put their current role at risk. It breaks confidence, creates unnecessary tension, and ultimately discourages great people from even considering new opportunities. As leaders, partners, and hiring teams, we all share the same goal: finding the right fit without compromising someone’s livelihood. Handled the right way, recruiting strengthens relationships. Handled carelessly, it damages them. A little discretion goes a long way in keeping this ecosystem healthy and keeping top talent willing to pick up the phone.

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In the crowded K-12 education market, where decision-makers are constantly evaluating new solutions, your visual brand is your first impression—and it needs to resonate immediately. From your website and social media to conference booths and sales collateral, every visual element should communicate trust, credibility, and alignment with educators’ values. Visual branding in K-12 marketing goes beyond just having a logo or a color scheme. It’s about using design, imagery, and consistency to reinforce your message and make your brand recognizable and memorable. If done right, your visual identity will not only attract attention but also build trust with school and district leaders, who need reassurance that your company is a reliable, mission-driven partner. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eHQAb4Gc

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Transform Your Student Support Strategy 🎯 Is your institution's student support fit for the future? The higher education landscape is shifting rapidly. Student needs are becoming more complex, support services are stretched thin, and piecemeal solutions are creating fragmented systems that burden both students and institutions. It's time to go back to basics and rethink everything. 🔍 The Challenge: Unsustainable demand on student support services Growing complexity of student needs Fragmented support systems that are hard to navigate Financial pressures demanding greater efficiency ✨ The Solution: Advance HE's Framework for Student Needs offers a game-changing approach to systematic student support redesign. What makes this different? Takes a whole-institution view of student support Maps 10 fundamental student needs across competence, confidence, resilience, community, and belonging Helps identify gaps, overlaps, and improvement opportunities Provides a practical, step-by-step User Guide for implementation Perfect for: Senior leadership teams ready to transform their approach Institutions preparing for regulatory submissions or Mental Health Charter applications HE providers seeking strategic alignment across support services The result? Fewer interventions delivered more effectively and sustainably - creating coherent, student-centred support that actually works. Ready to move from reactive patching to strategic transformation? #HigherEducation #StudentSupport #StudentExperience #HEStrategy #StudentWellbeing #FrameworkForStudentNeeds #AdvanceHE https://lnkd.in/evUwe49K

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Renaissance is proud to launch Renaissance Intelligence—the first Education Intelligence System for K–12. Our new platform unifies assessment, instruction, practice, and curriculum alignment, transforming how schools personalize learning. Say goodbye to disconnected tools and data. Everything educators need is now in one efficient workflow. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4r6LZAC #EdTech #K12Education #AIinEducation

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When does higher ed actually make buying decisions? (And when they don’t) One of the biggest mistakes I see edtech startups make when selling to higher ed is misunderstanding the buying cycle. Here’s what you need to know: Most institutions operate on a July 1 fiscal year to align with the academic calendar year (with some exceptions), which means budget decisions are typically locked in by May(ish). But here’s the catch — the window when decisions are being made (January-May) is also when enrollment teams are in yield season, doing everything they can to lock in their incoming class by securing admitted student enrollment commitments. So while you’re trying to get a meeting, they’re buried under melt risks, deposit deadlines, and competing to hit their numbers. 👉 What this means for you: - If you’re waiting until spring to show up, you’re already too late. Start building relationships and trust in Q4 (Oct-Dec) so that when planning begins in January, they know who you are. - Stay present and helpful during the spring, but don’t expect big wins or contracts to close — focus on being useful, sharing insights, and supporting their work. - Time your asks and sales conversations for when attention frees up — typically late spring into summer (still pre-July 1), when they are thinking about next year. If you're finding it impossible to break through in the spring, it's not your product — it's your timing. I'll be back Monday with next week’s theme: how to start building trust and relationships that actually lead to sales in higher ed. Follow along (and post a comment below) if this is something you’re trying to figure out.

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Higher education is facing a shift. Declining enrollment and evolving student expectations are putting pressure on traditional scheduling models. Beyond the Term explores what's driving these changes and how institutions can begin to adapt. Download the paper to see what’s next: https://ow.ly/53kl50WKiia #HigherEd #EnrollmentStrategy #FlexibleLearning #EdTech

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