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. Schools face new roadblocks in 2025

2. Students need more than an easier FAFSA

3. NY feeds 2.7M students with a $340M program

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Schools face new roadblocks in 2025

CoSN's latest report reveals the three biggest hurdles schools must tackle in 2025:

1. Finding and keeping teachers

2. Adapting teaching methods

3. And ensuring technology access for all students

The report, based on input from 130 education experts across 13 countries, also points to key opportunities: student-led learning, stronger leadership training, and new ways to measure student progress.

The findings suggest organizations developing education solutions should focus their 2025 strategies on these specific needs.

Students need more than an easier FAFSA

While the simplified FAFSA form helps students access financial aid, the $1.77 trillion student debt crisis reveals deeper problems. Research shows 40 million Americans have college credits but no degree, often derailed by emergency expenses.

Some states are testing solutions:

• Minnesota's emergency aid program helps students cover housing and transportation costs

• Employers are joining too – Massachusetts and California launched programs where businesses can fund employee education and training

The message is clear: making college “work” requires fixing more than just the paperwork.

NY feeds 2.7M students with a $340M program

New York State plans to serve free breakfast and lunch to 2.7 million students starting in 2025.

• The $340M program aims to tackle rising food insecurity, which affects one in five children across the state.

• Governor Hochul estimates families could save $1,600 per child annually.

With federal funding cuts likely on the horizon, other states may need to develop similar programs. This shift presents opportunities to create efficient delivery systems and cost-effective meal solutions at scale.

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

To stay up-to-date on all things education innovation, visit us at playgroundpost.com.