Edtech Insiders Week in Edtech 3/12/2025: U.S. Department of Education Massive Layoffs, AI in Schools, Cyber Attacks on K-12, Stanford’s AI Policy Shift, Duolingo’s Playbook, AI-Driven Procurement, Sanoma’s Global EdTech Expansion, and More!
Mar 14, 2025
Matthew Rascoff, Vice Provost for Digital Education at Stanford, discusses the seismic shifts in education as the U.S. Department of Education faces massive layoffs and funding cuts. He highlights how 80% of teachers now use AI in lesson planning, while 82% of K-12 schools report cyber incidents. Rascoff introduces Stanford's 'Humanity in the Loop' framework for AI and shares insights from Duolingo's effective practices. The conversation emphasizes the urgent need for innovative funding models and the potential for AI to reshape learning experiences.
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Renegotiating the Academic Social Contract
- The U.S. Department of Education's layoffs signal a renegotiation of the academic social contract between the government and educational institutions.
- Funding models are changing, and educational institutions need to adapt to the shifting landscape.
Rethinking Accreditation
- The current accreditation system isn't effectively ensuring quality control or fostering innovation.
- A more outcomes-driven approach focused on student impact is needed.
Leveraging AI in K-12
- Embrace AI for administrative tasks and lesson planning.
- Focus on assessment models that promote deeper learning and open-ended questions.