Why American Public Education Reverts to the Mean And What We Can Do About It with Tom Vander Ark of Getting Smart

Send us Fan MailTom Vander Ark is an advocate for innovations in learning. As CEO of Getting Smart, he advises schools, districts, networks, foundations, and learning organizations on the path forward. Tom is the author of Getting Smart, Smart Cities That Work for Everyone, Smart Parents, Better Together, The Power of Place, and Difference Making at the Heart of Learning. He has published thousands of articles and papers through GettingSmart.com and LinkedIn.Previously he launched one of the first edtech venture funds, was president of the X-Prize Foundation, served as the first Executive Director of Education for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Tom served as a public school superintendent in Washington State and has extensive private sector experience. He serves on the board of Digital Learning Institute, Latinx Education Collaborative, Mastery Transcript Consortium, and Getting Smart Collective and advises schools, impact organizations and edtech startups.💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why education systems struggle to sustain innovationHow nonprofit governance supports lasting changeThe transformative potential of platform networksWhy AI shifts learning from preparation to contributionWhat keeps Tom optimistic about EdTech’s future✨ Episode Highlights:[00:04:50] From retail exec to education reformer—Tom’s origin story[00:07:03] Why governance challenges cause schools to revert to the mean[00:10:11] The rise of platform networks and their power to scale learning[00:14:48] AI and the shift from intelligence to agency in learning[00:16:15] High school as a launchpad for real-world contribution[00:21:01] “We’re automating bad pedagogy”—Tom on today’s AI tools[00:25:16] Bright spots: Watershed, Open School, and SparkNC[00:27:54] Tom’s advice to EdTech founders: “This is the most important work in the world”😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor:Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.