Education Development Center

We thank the expert data analysts who recently shared their insights on how to prepare students for AI-Enhanced Data Careers with us.

During a two-day workshop held at our HQ in Waltham, EDC workforce development experts Joyce Malyn-Smith, Kirsten Peterson, Sarah MacGillivray, and Irene Lee facilitated rich discussions of what an AI-Enhanced Data Practitioner role entails.

Participants discussed the skills needed to fill the role, how AI might advance the work, and critical functions that must continue to be led by humans.

Their input is vital to the “Profile of the Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Enhanced Data Practitioner” that we’re developing and that will help guide curriculum development at community colleges nationwide.

This workshop was made possible by the National Science Foundation’s support for our “Integrating AI in Community Colleges” R&D project in which we are building a replicable approach to creating pathways to AI-enabled careers.

Special thanks to Samridhi Vats for allowing us to use her comments in our article about the workshop: https://go.edc.org/AI26F

A fascinating story about how photographs of Netsilingmiut Inuit taken as part of EDC's Man: A Course of Study (MACOS) program were rescued from the trash of a Canadian apartment building and returned to the descendants of the people depicted: https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/arctic-photo-mystery-solved-by-amateur-historian-in-tennessee/ Thanks to everyone involved in making this happy reunion happen! Learn more about MACOS: https://macosonline.edc.org/

Saved from trash in 1980s, these photos are going home to Kugaaruk Newspaper of record for Nunavut, and the Nunavik territory of Quebec

Since its launch, 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline has received more than 23 million contacts and a recent study has found su***de deaths among people ages 15-34 were 11% lower than projected. Dr. Richard McKeon of the National Action Alliance for Su***de Prevention at EDC discusses the impact of the service.

4 Years Later, 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline Shows Successes and Opportunities for Improvement July marks four years since the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline transitioned from a 10-digit phone number to the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline, representing a major investment by the federal government in the nation’s crisis response systems. The three-digit number is a simpler, more accessib...

Students in San Ignacio, Belize, recently spent a day presenting their own solutions to problems affecting their communities, built with science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM).

This was Belize's first STEAM Festival, part of the Women in 4iR Component of the Skills for the Future Program, which aims to help young women develop knowledge, confidence and skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology, the program will reach 1,000 primary and secondary female students across Belize.

Read more about the first STEAM Festival: https://lovefm.com/young-women-showcase-innovation-at-belizes-first-national-steam-festival/

Learn more about the program: https://edc.org/projects/belize-skills-for-the-future-program-promoting-participation-of-women-in-4ir-steam-education-fields/

Young Women Showcase Innovation at Belize’s First National STEAM Festival The Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology hosted its inaugural STEAM Festival in San Ignacio over the

A recent study showed that nearly 1 out of every 3 kids said they “never or hardly ever” read for fun.

A HuffPost piece digs into the forces behind this reading trend—a steep drop over the past thirty years. EDC's Naomi Hupert weighed in, reinforcing the myriad benefits of reading and explaining how even early-years activities, like pretend reading or re-reading the same book, can help kids build the habit.

Read the full piece: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kids-cant-read-goog_l_6a514e74e4b0aaa374276425

We're pleased to welcome Beth Chalmers to EDC as our new Chief Financial Officer. https://edc.org/staff/beth-chalmers/

Beth brings more than 20 years of nonprofit finance leadership, with deep experience guiding complex organizations through growth, change, and long-term planning. Throughout her career, she has led financial strategy, strengthened operations, and partnered across organizations to build sustainable futures.

As EDC continues to advance our mission to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity, Beth's leadership will help ensure we have the financial strength and operational excellence to support that work for years to come.

Please join us in welcoming Beth to EDC.

The latest edition of our newsletter is now available! https://zc.vg/kuxy9?m=0

Among the highlights:

➡️ How Ready To Learn has impacted children’s learning for 30 years

➡️ What can be done to promote youths' healthy tech habits and mental wellbeing

➡️ Encouraging girls in Belize to pursue STEAM education and career fields

Subscribe to EDC Update and follow us on social media to stay up to date about our efforts to advance every person’s journey to learn, work, and be well: https://edc.org/subscribe/

While the challenges they face are unique, educators from Liberia and Senegal recently came together for a learning exchange to improve education in both countries.

During the visit, a delegation from EDC-Sénégal met with EDC colleagues in Liberia as well as the country's Minister of Education. The teams exchanged lessons and promising practices in teacher professional development, inclusive education, and education systems strengthening.

Both teams are implementing education initiatives in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, including Liberia's Leaders in Teaching (LIT) Liberia project and Senegal's Projet de Formation Professionnelle et d'Insertion (PFPI).

The effort in New Hampshire to reintroduce play into kindergarten classrooms is the focus of a new report by the Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast & Islands at EDC.

In Education Week, EDC's Emily Braham discusses the report's findings concerning early educators’ perceptions and behaviors around play-based learning.

Read the Ed Week article: https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/academic-pressure-is-driving-and-preventing-the-return-to-play-in-kindergarten/2026/07

Download the report:https://ies.ed.gov/sites/default/files/rel-northeast-islands/document/2026/06/2026013r.pdf

Academic Pressure is Driving—and Preventing—The Return to Play in Kindergarten A new report examines the impact of one state's efforts to return play to kindergarten.