Welcome to Playground Post, a bi-weekly newsletter that keeps education innovators ahead of what’s next.

Here’s what we have on deck for today…

1. Teacher prep ignores modern curriculum needs

2. AI gaps create education innovation opportunities

3. AI guidance tools need human connection element

Teacher prep ignores modern curriculum needs

Schools have embraced high-quality curriculum materials, but teacher training programs haven't caught up.

A recent RAND survey revealed only 10% of teacher preparation programs emphasize using existing curricula, while nearly half focus on creating lessons from scratch.

Yet 2% of principals actually want teachers developing their own materials. This disconnect persists across all states, subjects, and grade levels.

The proof is in the results: Louisiana and Mississippi — states leading curriculum reform efforts — were among the few showing NAEP score gains since 2017.

For education innovators, there's a clear opportunity to develop tools and training that help new teachers quickly master standards-aligned curricula their schools already provide.

AI gaps create education innovation opportunities

While AI transforms education, it still stumbles in key areas:

• AI can't switch between languages like bilingual students do

• Or truly understand emotions

These limitations aren't roadblocks but signposts for innovation.

Education leaders can develop tools that blend AI efficiency with human strengths in multilingual teaching, emotional support, and hands-on learning.

These gaps offer clear pathways to create solutions that truly serve students.

AI guidance tools need human connection element

With 25% of US schools lacking counselors, AI chatbots are filling the gap.

These tools answer college and career questions 24/7, however, experts warn they could set students back in building skills for the future.

"We're creating this army of self-help bots," says Julia Freeland Fisher, "but those very bots may be eroding the network-building opportunities that help students break into jobs."

For education innovators, the sweet spot lies in using technology to scale guidance while fostering crucial human relationships.

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We’ll be back with another edition on Tuesday. See you then!

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