Project Unicorn

?? New Guide: How Education Providers Can Leverage Outcomes-Based Contracting (OBC) to Build Sustainable Partnerships from Project Unicorn and The Center for Outcomes Based Contracting at SEF In today’s fast-changing education landscape, districts and edtech providers face increasing pressure to ensure effective, scalable, and impactful solutions. Procurement processes can be fragmented, decision-making inconsistent, and proving long-term value is more critical than ever. That’s where Outcomes-Based Contracting (OBC) comes in. By linking financial incentives to measurable academic outcomes, OBC shifts procurement from a simple transaction to a structured, results-driven partnership. Our new OBC + Project Unicorn Provider Guide explores how edtech providers can: ? Demonstrate efficacy and impact in student learning ? Align solutions with key industry benchmarks (safety, usability, interoperability, etc.) ? Navigate district procurement challenges more effectively ? Build trust and sustain long-term collaborations As districts focus on evidence-based, cost-effective solutions, edtech providers who embrace OBC may gain a competitive edge. Are you ready to explore this approach? ?? Read the guide now and join the conversation! https://lnkd.in/egjeWvdw Thank you Chloe Sanducci, Erin Faye Caesar, Brittany Miller, PhD and Jasmine Walker for your awesome leadership on this! #EdTech #ProjectUnicorn #OutcomesBasedContracting #K12Innovation #EducationTransformation

?? New Guide: How Education Providers Can Use The Center for Outcomes Based Contracting at SEF to Sustain Long-Term and Efficacious Partnerships In today’s fast-changing education landscape, districts and edtech providers face increasing pressure to ensure effective, scalable, and impactful solutions. Procurement processes can be fragmented, decision-making is inconsistent, and proving long-term value is more critical than ever. That’s where Outcomes Based Contracting (OBC) comes in. By linking financial incentives to measurable academic outcomes, OBC shifts procurement from a simple transaction to a structured, results-driven partnership. The new OBC Provider Guide explores how edtech providers can: ? Demonstrate efficacy and impact on student learning ? Align solutions with key industry benchmarks (safety, usability, interoperability, etc.) ? Navigate district procurement challenges more effectively ? Build trust and sustain long-term collaborations As districts focus on evidence-based, cost-effective solutions, edtech providers who embrace OBC may gain a competitive edge. Ready to explore this approach? ?? Read the guide now and join the conversation! https://lnkd.in/g9wyC79s #EdTech #ProjectUnicorn #OutcomesBasedContracting #K12Innovation #EducationTransformation

You can still join us at #CoSN2025 to sit in on this session and others. Register: https://lnkd.in/e6pYPyXT #CoSN2025 begins in 7 days! #Governanace #Interoperability #EdTech Erin Mote Rachel Johnson Kathryn Rizor Dr. Chantell Manahan, CETL, CCRE Project Unicorn

I am very grateful to our allies Partners in PROMISE who continue to raise awareness, advocate for, and support military families who have children with disabilities. Their latest report The State of Military-Connected Children with Disabilities Report highlights the important work of Project Unicorn and all of our allies who are working on improving data interoperability for IEPs. Thanks for highlighting Moving with the Mission! ?https://lnkd.in/eUQzeDpR.

?? New Report Alert! ?? Partners In PROMISE announces the release of "The State of Military-Connected Children with Disabilities" Report. To learn more check out a few pages from the report below. To read the report in its entirety visit: https://lnkd.in/ednRbsMF

?? Have you read Partners in PROMISE's newest report on the State of Military-Connected Children with Disabilities?! ?? ?? If you are a DoD leader or policymaker who supports military families, I highly recommend taking a moment to read and learn about the challenges military-connected children with disabilities face in this highly mobile lifestyle. While much focus is centered on #militaryspouses and employment, it might be easy to forget about the sacrifices #militarychildren make, too. The lack of access to medical care, special education services, and other supports has long-term impacts. PiP's report addresses these topics, and more, including #policy recommendations that aim to keep military families strong and the #servicemember focused on the mission. A special shout out to the PiP Advocacy Team of Crystal DeVoss Mahany, MA, MPS Leslie Slover Brittany Summers Sabrina D.. ?? These spouses hit it out of the park by deep-diving into the history of the #EFMP and examining critical issues, including #specialeducation legal assistance, Medicaid Waivers, and the Child Find program. The report also discusses the challenges with #MIC3, #IEP transfers, and special education #data collection. Speaking of military spouses, Jeremy H. recently posted on LI about what it takes to effectively advocate in this space. This report embodies his points No. 4-8, specifically #mentoring and supporting new advocates and paying it forward. There is more to do and more torches to carry, but I am confident that this new generation will be just fine. ?? #advocacy #militaryspouse #efmp #specialeducation

A new resource from a Project Unicorn Steering Committee organization Jobs for the Future (JFF) and member Sharon Leu released the latest JFF Labs market scan,?Verifiable Credentials Wallets in a Skills-First Talent Marketplace, which is now available at jff.org/digitalwallets. This report builds on research and explores the evolution of digital wallets, W3C Verifiable Credentials, and how this ecosystem expands access to opportunity. The report notes that interoperability, privacy, and open standards are key to providing all individuals and institutions with tools to access new career paths and economic opportunities as the momentum behind digital wallets continues to grow. This market scan is an invitation to think about what’s possible and how we can, together, ensure these technologies are used in ways that increase—not limit—access. Definitely check this out!

Headed to #CoSN2025? Don't miss, "Foundations of Data Governance & Interoperability: Integration, Insight, & Impact" on April 1 at 11am PT. https://lnkd.in/gQnaJyDT CEO Erin Mote (@innovateedu, Project Unicorn) will be joined by Rachel Johnson and Kathryn Rizor (@loudoun-county-public-schools) and Dr. Chantell Manahan (@msd-of-steuben-county) as they discuss how robust data governance and interoperable systems form the backbone of seamless data management integrations, analytics visualizations, and public dashboards’ data literacy initiatives, impacting internal understanding of data and organizational policies and budgets. This session explores essential strategies and real-world examples for implementing effective data governance frameworks, ensuring data flows across systems, improving analytics accuracy, promoting data literacy, fostering a data-driven culture, and leveraging insights for policy-making and budget allocation. Attendees will gain actionable insights to enhance their organization’s data management capabilities and drive informed decision-making processes.

Join this webinar with WilmerHale government contracts and financial assistance lawyers on “What To Do If Your Federal Grant Has Been Stopped or Terminated” for vital insights on navigating uncertainties surrounding federal financial assistance programs. Recent actions by the Trump Administration, including funding freezes, program pauses, policy reviews, and agency staff reductions, have culminated in suspended or terminated awards. Learn about options for responding to stop-work orders and termination notices. Our experienced panel will explore the steps available to grant and other financial assistance recipients whose awards are impacted during these tumultuous times. Whether you manage government grants or support researchers, this webinar will help you stay informed about the options and risks as you decide how to move forward. Register now to learn about the rights of organizations amid the uncertainties sweeping federal grant programs. Register today: https://lnkd.in/gzNiXe8M

I love this resource from Sharon Leu and the team at Jobs for the Future (JFF). The latest JFF Labs market scan,?Verifiable Credentials Wallets in a Skills-First Talent Marketplace, is now available at?jff.org/digitalwallets. This report builds on research and explores the evolution of digital wallets, W3C Verifiable Credentials, and how this ecosystem expands access to opportunity. As before, #interoperability is key, #privacy is core, and open, standards-based #publicinfrastructure is crucial to providing all individuals and institutions tools to access new career paths and economic opportunities, primarily when traditional systems do not address their needs. All things we love Project Unicorn But this isn’t just about learning and hiring. This market scan is an invitation to think about what’s possible and how we can, together, ensure these technologies are used in ways that increase—not limit—access. They even have included more detailed implementation case studies and a short Vendor Selection Toolkit.? ?