Future of Work Ed Tech Challenge

Announcements

April 17, 2020

In February 2018, NewSchools launched the Future of Work Ed Tech Challenge – open to entrepreneurs developing technology-enabled learning experiences, instructional content, learning diagnostics, administrative tools, and other products that support middle and high school students’ development of skills and knowledge that will help them succeed in the jobs of tomorrow.

Why Future of Work?

Education and the future of work

Most of the jobs that will be available by 2030 don’t yet exist, and will require advanced skills, training, and a commitment to lifelong learning. A profound shift in educational opportunities is needed in order to ensure that these trends do not exacerbate existing gaps in employability, income, and ultimately the ability to lead happy and healthy lives. Across the country each year, millions of students are working to develop academic and social skills that will prepare them for life after high school. The dreams and plans of these young adults are as diverse as the students themselves, yet they share in common a goal to create the life they want – full of choices, connection, meaning, and economic stability. In addition to support from family and community members, formal and informal learning opportunities play a crucial role in ensuring that students can finish high school prepared and inspired to achieve these aspirations.

Critical student needs: How technology can help young people prepare for the future of work

Before the launch of the Future of Work Ed Tech Challenge, we conducted market research – including conversations with students, educators, and researchers from across the country – to learn more about students’ experience of the transition from high school to college and careers. Based on this research, we believe there is an urgent opportunity to strengthen the connection between school and work so that all students can cultivate knowledge and skills that will unlock the jobs of tomorrow. The most promising innovations will support emerging efforts in schools and districts to empower students by:

Weaving exploration of college and career pathways into core academic experiences;
Enabling experiential learning that authentically connects school and work;
Increasing access to college and career guidance, mentorship, and counseling resources; and
Creating new opportunities to earn and utilize credits, badges, and other signals of competence and achievement.

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Education and the future of work

The goals of public education are not purely economic, but there is a clear connection between access to high-quality learning opportunities, academic performance, and a path toward employment that is both personally fulfilling and financially sustainable. In addition to economic benefits, connecting learning to life after high school can reinforce students’ agency and resiliency as they transition into adulthood. However, our public education system is currently struggling to support many students with the information and resources required to prepare them for the future of work. It is not just that the guidance counseling office is understaffed and facing increased demand around emotional well-being, it is also a recognition that students need more than an annual career expo to inspire and motivate a focus on life after high school. In response, many district and school leaders are rethinking the use of time, human capital, budgets, and technology to support systemic changes and improve outcomes for all students.

Postsecondary education is an important part of the preparation for many jobs, yet many students finish high school socially and academically unprepared for college. Even when students are adequately prepared, issues related to quality, cost, and student debt have caused many families to question their return on investment. At the same time, there is a justified fear that straying from the goal of “college for all” may result in certain students being “tracked” toward learning opportunities that are lower quality, ultimately reinforcing employment-related inequities. Nevertheless, there is evidence that many students could benefit from a broadened definition of “college success”: For example, there are more than 30 million jobs with an average annual income of $55,000 that can be accessed by community college graduates.

There are some early signals of approaches that educators and employers may use to address some of these challenges. Many high schools are offering dual degrees, which allow students to simultaneously work toward both a high school diploma and an associate degree. Some employers have signaled a willingness to support alternative credentialing pathways that recognize a wider range of student accomplishments. Meanwhile, career and technical education (CTE), which is designed to prepare students “for a wide range of high-wage, high-skill, high-demand careers,” will also undoubtedly play a crucial role in preparing many students for the future of work. Congress is currently considering legislation to bring more CTE funding and decision-making power to state governments, while a growing number of states are working together to connect career education to local and regional employment opportunities.

The Future of Work Ed Tech Challenge is open to entrepreneurs building technology-enabled learning experiences, instructional content, learning diagnostics, administrative tools, and other digital products that support middle and high school students’ development of skills and knowledge that will help them succeed in the jobs of tomorrow. Special consideration will be given to tools that are accessible and usable by students from low-income households, Black and Latino students, English Language Learners, students with disabilities, and students from rural areas – as well as products aligned with relevant research on learning and advances in mobile and social technologies.

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Critical student needs: How technology can help young people prepare for the future of work

Weaving exploration of college and career pathways into core academic experiences;
Enabling experiential learning that authentically connects school and work;
Increasing access to college and career guidance, mentorship, and counseling resources; and
Creating new opportunities to earn and utilize credits, badges, and other signals of competence and achievement.

We provide additional information on each of the critical student needs in the sections below.

Weaving exploration of college and career pathways into core academic experiences

Students and educators both expressed a desire for increased support as students identify, explore, and navigate personalized pathways toward their college and career goals. One important way for technology to make an impact is by enabling the integration of future of work-related content into core learning experiences, linking academic content with college and work success. By facilitating exploration of practical topics like applying to college, selecting a job training program, calculating a wage-to-debt ratio, or assessing the ROI of an educational investment, technology can increase access to information and positively impact how young people are making important college and career decisions.

Enabling experiential learning that authentically connects school and work

Many educators emphasized the importance of future of work-related learning opportunities that are grounded in students’ lived experiences. This includes support for “work-based learning” opportunities like internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, field trips, and community service that are aligned with the academic curriculum. In addition to long-term economic benefits, real world application can support students’ mastery of academic and social skills that are crucial for success in life after high school.

Increasing access to college and career guidance, mentorship, and counseling resources

Many students shared that face-to-face time with college and career planning experts is limited, and expressed interest in technology that can provide increased access to these resources. In addition to streamlining communication, technology can help guidance counselors and other professionals personalize advice and feedback across a relatively large group of students with diverse interests and needs. In addition to educators, many students reported that siblings and friends act as important sources of information and advice about college and career options. There is interest in additional tools that connect students to peers and mentors with relevant academic and professional experiences. Ultimately, such interactions can also support students’ decision-making, strengthening connections within communities by facilitating the exchange of social and cultural capital.

Creating new opportunities to earn and utilize credits, badges, and other signals of competence and achievement

Educators also reported a growing interest in systems to support students as they attain, accelerate, and display an array of credentials that can be used to signal their knowledge and skills across a diverse range of educational and employment contexts. As the number and type of postsecondary learning opportunities continue to grow, there is a need to help students identify, compare, and take advantage of high-quality learning pathways. Technology can also support students as they organize and share these achievements, including through digital portfolios that feature creative and technical accomplishments. By explicitly linking this learning with employability and income, technology can help students save time and money as they make progress toward their goals.