Volume 52

Last month we celebrated nine years (yes…9 years!) of LCG. As I started to reflect on the past nine years, I came across something I didn’t quite expect.

The pace of change in EdTech right now is faster than I’ve ever seen. AI is reshaping everything. New tools and platforms are constantly emerging. What works in education marketing shifts daily.

And yet, despite all of this, many of the things in education have remained the same (and may have in fact become more important).

I shared nine of those things in a recent blog post, but I want to talk about a couple of them:

Relationships still carry weight. Trust builds over time, often through repeated interactions and shared work. It's not easily gained but it's oh-so-important.
The system is still complex. Decisions move across many roles, priorities, and timelines that don’t always align neatly with marketing schedules.
Context still matters as much as outcomes. Educators and leaders look for examples that look like them and have similar challenges.

It’s easy to get caught up on what’s new. It’s harder (and often more important) to pay attention to what hasn’t changed. If you’re feeling the pace of change right now, I hope this perspective gives you something steady to hold onto.

Over the past nine years, I couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve built. Not just in terms of growth, but in the kind of work we’ve been able to do. Supporting organizations as they navigate complexity. Helping teams build growth strategies they can sustain. Working alongside educators and leaders who are making thoughtful decisions in challenging environments.

If you’re reading this, thank you. It’s because of people like you that LCG continues to do the work it does. You give me words of encouragement by replying to these newsletters. You listen to the podcast. Many of you refer LCG to others who need support.

Thank you, truly.

I’m not sure what the next nine years will bring, but I can say this. I’ve never been more excited to be in education.

Nine years. What a ride.

With gratitude,

Elana

Resources Powered by LCG

EdTech Good News

Britebound, formerly American Student Assistance, has awarded $13.3 million in new grants to nonprofits helping middle and high school students explore careers and plan for life after graduation. The funding will support more than 100 organizations across 49 states and Puerto Rico, expanding access to career-connected learning in fields ranging from STEM and green jobs to the arts and entrepreneurship.

It’s a significant investment in helping young people build durable skills, explore real pathways, and step into their futures with clarity and confidence.

Marketing & Education Must Reads

Marketing

Amy Porterfield on evergreen pricing: A clear reminder that pricing and acquisition are tightly linked. A product price under $500, margins make paid ads difficult. Above $2000, cold audiences struggle to convert.
Jay Schwedelson on listicles and AI: Standard listicles are losing traction. More specific framing like “top 3” or “number one way” is outperforming in both AI search visibility and email open rates.
Digiday on YouTube and AI discovery: YouTube is becoming a primary source for AI-generated answers, with transcripts and metadata making it highly machine-readable.
Adweek on Dove’s Reddit-driven campaign: Dove built a campaign using unfiltered Reddit reviews, revealing real customer language instead of polished brand messaging. Proof that authenticity and user voice can be incredibly powerful.
Search Engine Journal on the role of social in decision-making: Social platforms are shifting from expression to evaluation, with more people using them to gather input before making decisions. This reinforces the importance of credibility, conversation, and peer validation in marketing.

Education

EdTech Digest State of EdTech Report: A broad look at where the market is heading, including funding shifts, AI adoption, and changing district priorities.
Hechinger Report on grade inflation: New research shows that lenient grading is not just lowering academic rigor, but also impacting long-term outcomes like employment and earnings.
Reach Capital on shifting investment signals: A revisit of key data points shaping where EdTech investment is going, with a focus on sustainability, outcomes, and long-term value over rapid growth.
EdWeek on social-emotional learning in 2026: A look at how SEL is evolving as schools face new challenges, with more emphasis on practical implementation and adapting approaches to current classroom realities.
Whiteboard Advisors on governors’ education priorities: A scan of state addresses shows where education is being emphasized at the policy level, including funding, workforce readiness, and accountability. Helpful context for understanding how state priorities may shape district decisions.
EdTech Digest on screen time in schools: Ongoing debates around screen time are intensifying, with schools reexamining the balance between technology use and student attention, learning, and well-being.

Deep Dive into AI

Jennifer Schwanke on AI and changing behavior patterns: A thoughtful look at how AI is starting to shape not just tools, but how people spend time, make decisions, and prioritize attention.
EdTech Insiders on K-12 AI market maps: The AI landscape is maturing enough to separate AI-native startups from incumbents, revealing different patterns of innovation. Incumbents are focused on student support and teacher practice, while more experimental work is still happening in newer AI-first companies.
Scientific American on AI in the classroom: Veteran teacher and awesome human Jen Roberts shares how generative AI can support more consistent feedback and reduce bias, reframing it from a cheating concern to a tool that can make classrooms more equitable and sustainable.
Matt Shumer on the pace of AI change: A perspective from inside the AI space that argues we may still be underestimating how significant the current shift is, with major advances being driven by a small number of teams shaping the direction of the technology.
Jason Blair on AI and human-centered learning: A reflection from EduCon highlighting that as AI accelerates, the need for connection, storytelling, and deep listening becomes even more important.
EDUCAUSE on understanding the AI stack: A helpful breakdown of how AI systems are structured, offering a clearer way to think about where tools fit and how different layers of the ecosystem interact.

Reports

K-12 EdTech Pulse Report: A survey-based report capturing how over 1,300 K-12 educators and leaders are thinking about priorities, challenges, and technology use. It highlights ongoing pressure around staffing, workload, and funding, alongside a growing focus on system-wide coherence and sustainable implementation.
Instructure 2026 Evidence Report: A research-driven look at how educators and institutions are using data and evidence to guide decisions, with a focus on improving outcomes, measuring impact, and aligning technology to real classroom needs.
[Bonus] Proof Points by The Hechinger Report: Makes sure to sign up for this newsletter written by Jill Barshay that keeps you informed about the latest research on teaching and learning.

In Good Company

Our chance to brag about the brands we have the honor of partnering with:

3P Learning featured in Authority Magazine: We loved seeing Katy Pike highlight something we believe deeply, that the best innovation in education starts by truly listening to teachers.
NSSI on summer school vs tutoring: A thoughtful look at what the research actually says about both approaches, and how districts can make more informed decisions based on outcomes, not assumptions.
Playworks on positive school culture: Check out this awesome edWebinar, 1,000 educators joined to explore building more positive, inclusive school environments and addressing challenges like chronic absenteeism with practical, actionable strategies.
University Innovation Alliance AI decision framework: A practical tool to help higher ed leaders evaluate AI vendor agreements before signing, with a focus on data use, governance, and long-term control.

Elana grew up as a very young child in Kauai and she wanted to share a heartwarming story about the recent storm that caused massive flooding throughout many of the islands.

Check out this reel to get a sense of the Ohana vibe. Here's also how you can help. 🌺