First Question: Is education technology poised for a new wave of innovation?

Investment in K-12 ed tech increased fourfold from 2010 to 2015.  But over the last couple of years, it’s felt like we’re in a trough again as the volume and variety of early-stage companies slowed significantly. Investments in K-12 ed tech dropped by 40% in 2016. However, there are early indications that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, and machine learning is creating fresh possibilities to deepen and accelerate student learning.

Second Question: An increased focus on social-emotional learning opened an innovation window over the last few years. Has it closed already?

A broad coalition of educators and policymakers now agree it’s too narrow to rely on test scores as the sole indicator of student success. A strong academic foundation is important, but students need additional mindsets, habits, and skills to be successful in the long run. The new federal education law, Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), allows for an expanded set of indicators for school performance, including social-emotional learning (SEL).

Third Question: Will our renewed focus on career and technical education stimulate smart investments in ways to better prepare all young people for the future of work?

In June 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelming reauthorized the Perkins Act, creating updates to funding rules for career and technical education (CTE). The bill is stalled in the Senate. If passed, it could help accelerate efforts to prepare more students for good paying jobs that don’t require a four-year degree. However, the real innovation challenge is how to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s economy. With nearly 40% of U.S. jobs likely to undergo massive shifts due to automation by 2030, we need to begin designing education and workforce development opportunities now that reduce the probability of economic displacement later.

Every young person in America deserves to finish high school prepared and inspired to create and live a good life, full of opportunity, choices, connection and meaning.

Read the full article about future education innovation by SchoolBoard at Forbes.