Week in Edtech 9/24/25: AI Tutors Under Scrutiny, Gallup Shows K-12 Trust Collapse, CZI Launches Learning Commons, Phone Bans Rise, Higher Ed Struggles, and More! Feat. Jamie Candee of Edmentum & Nick Chen of PlayMath.org

Oct 3, 2025

Nick Chen, an edtech product veteran and founder of PlayMath.org, discusses the elements that make educational games effective, stressing the need for meaningful gameplay and immediate feedback. Jamie Candee, CEO of Edmentum, emphasizes the importance of career-connected learning, explaining how early exposure to various career pathways can enhance student engagement without pigeonholing them. They also delve into the rising use of VR for skilled trades training and the broader implications of current educational reforms and workforce needs.

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INSIGHT

AI Tutors Are Not Turnkey Tutors

Mashable found AI tutors are promising but currently retrofit general LLMs rather than true tutoring engines.
Ben and Alex stress use-case fit matters more than model branding for effective learning.

INSIGHT

Tutoring Requires Guided, Data‑Driven Scaffolding

Effective tutoring needs guided practice tailored to a learner's data and goals rather than a search-bar UI.
Ben says edtech companies with learner data can out-compete generic LLM study modes by leveraging that data.

INSIGHT

Public Trust In K‑12 Has Collapsed

Gallup shows public confidence in K‑12 is at historic lows, even while parents rate their own schools more positively.
Alex interprets this as a loss of trust in schools as institutions to prepare kids for a changing future.

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Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they dive into the latest headlines shaping the future of education technology, from AI tutors and Gallup polls to new VR career pathways and the impact of phone bans in schools.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:38] Mashable compares AI tutors from OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic
[00:10:45] Gallup poll shows confidence in K-12 at all-time low
[00:15:48] CZI launches Learning Commons open-source AI infrastructure
[00:20:41] CZI + Anthropic partnership expands AI tools for edtech
[00:23:31] Kahoot unveils new AI-powered study tools
[00:26:26] Phone bans spread in U.S. schools with positive results
[00:29:53] Higher ed faces declining international applications and demographic cliff

Plus, special guests:
[00:36:24] Nick Chen, Founder of PlayMath.org, on educational gaming and product lessons
[01:00:40] Jamie Candee, CEO of Edmentum, on career pathways, durable skills, and VR workforce prep

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🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

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