> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://newsletters.qs.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 🗽 Five weeks to New York. Back to School turns 25. - URL: https://newsletters.qs.com/five-weeks-to-new-york-back-to-school-turns-25/ - Published: 2026-08-12T23:58:13.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-12T23:58:13.000Z - Description: Capital, policy, education leaders and employers defining the future value(s) of education; come hear what they have to say. Get your ticket today. Five weeks to NYC. - Author: QS - Tags: AI & Digital Innovation **Hello** 👋 The [25th Annual Back to School Summit](https://www.qs.com/conferences/back-to-school?ref=newsletters.qs.com) runs 15–17 September at Tribeca Rooftop + 360° in New York. The [agenda](https://www.qs.com/conferences/back-to-school/agenda?ref=newsletters.qs.com) is full of amazing speakers and content and through it all is a question: what counts as proof that education works, and who gets to say so. Administrators, researchers, investors, educators, policymakers, and employers are all answering it. Not the same way. [Register now](https://www.qs.com/conferences/back-to-school?ref=newsletters.qs.com) > **💰 Investors want to see the numbers.** **Capital Markets and Education Update** — *Jeff Silber, BMO Capital Markets*, on how institutional investors are reading the sector in 2026. **New Capital Models** — *Miriam Altman-Reyes (Brass Ring Ventures) • Amit Patel (Owl Ventures) • Geo Kane (CapitalizEd) • John Soleanicov (EdTechnical)* on where the money is coming from now that venture has pulled back. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2026/08/Day-1_1430_New-Capital-Models_Altman_Kane_Patel_Soleanicov.png) > **🏛 Policy is setting the test.** **Workforce Policy in Transition** — *Amanda Winters (US Chamber of Commerce Foundation)* on apprenticeships, employer incentives, and whether anyone has the capacity to deliver them. **Higher Ed Policy Outlook** — *Ted Eismeier • Noah Sudow • Alex Davis (Whiteboard Advisors)* on what has moved on funding and accountability, and how institutions are responding. Workforce Pell went live on 1 July and the first approved programme landed last week, so this session will be critical. > **🏛 Educators are redesigning the system.** **Education at an Inflection Point** with *Philip Moyer (McGraw Hill) • Dr Bridget Burns (*[*University Innovation Alliance*](https://www.qs.com/conferences/back-to-school/speakers?ref=newsletters.qs.com)*) • Chike Aguh (Kapor Center)*, moderated by *Brad Wolverton (The Chronicle of Higher Education)*. [*Jeff Selingo*](https://www.qs.com/conferences/back-to-school/speakers?ref=newsletters.qs.com) takes the fireside with *Dr Ann Kirschner* to discuss **Redefining Value in Higher Education** **Acceleration by Design** — *Tracey Burns (NCEE) • Jessica Furer (Wallace Foundation)* on the approaches education systems NCEE calls Rapid Risers, and what they did that others haven't to produce outcomes. **Closing Panel: The Great Higher Education Reset — Is College Worth It?** — *Dr Cappy Hill (Ithaka S+R) • Daniel Pianko (Achieve Partners)* on whether the sector is having a crisis of confidence or a reckoning with what counts as a good education. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2026/08/Day-1_1200_Redefining-Value-in-Higher-Education_Selingo_Kirschner.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2026/08/Day-1_0945_Opening-Plenary_Burns__Moyer_Aguh_Wolverton.png) > **🎓 Employers have stopped waiting.** **The New Talent Playbook** — *Professor Mitchell Stevens (Stanford) • Eva Sage-Gavin (National Academies) • Susan Youngblood (Bessemer Venture Partners)* on companies that have given up buying talent and started building it from within. 🤖 **AI doesn't have its own track, it will underpin discussions across the Summit.** **From Principles to Practice** puts QS Responsible AI Consortium members and institutional leaders into working groups on governance and implementation. **Screens and Schools** — *Juliette Norrmén-Smith (UNICEF) • Erin Mote (InnovateEDU) • Donatella Solda (FEM Digital)* — looks at the techlash, and what it does to instructional materials and edtech adoption when the evidence is still thin and pushback on screens is rampant. ⏰ [**Join us in New York →**](https://link.qshesummits.com/AnXN9j?ref=newsletters.qs.com) Use code **BTSADS20** for 20% off. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2026/08/MAR-107355-BTS_General-Announcement.jpg)](https://link.qshesummits.com/AnXN9j?ref=newsletters.qs.com) --- ### 📍 Upcoming Education Innovation Events | Event | Date | Action | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | ⚖️ **Webinar: Governing the AI University—Leadership, Risk and Responsible Innovation** | 27 Aug, 16:00 ET | [Register](https://www.qs.com/webinars/governing-the-ai-university-leadership-risk-and-responsible-innovation?ref=newsletters.qs.com) | | 🤝 **Webinar: Partner or Perish—Collaboration as Growth Strategy for Higher Ed** | 1 Sept, 16:00 BST | [Register](https://www.qs.com/webinars/partner-or-perish-collaboration-as-a-growth-strategy-for-higher-education?ref=newsletters.qs.com) | | 🤖 **Webinar: The Responsive Campus—Putting AI Agents to Work** | 9 Sept, 16:00 ET | [Register](https://www.qs.com/webinars/the-responsive-campus-putting-ai-agents-to-work-across-student-success-administrative-efficiency-and-scientific-discovery?ref=newsletters.qs.com) | | 🗽 **25th Annual 'Back to School' Summit, NYC**⏰ Don't miss your chance — tickets are selling out. Use code **BTSADS20** for 20% off. | 15–17 Sept | [**Register today →**](https://www.qs.com/conferences/back-to-school?ref=newsletters.qs.com) | | 📊 **Webinar: Measuring What Matters—Practical AI for Teaching, Learning and Assessment** | 23 Sept, 16:00 ET | [Register](https://www.qs.com/webinars/measuring-what-matters-practical-ai-for-teaching-learning-and-assessment?ref=newsletters.qs.com) | | 🧪 **Webinar: Connecting Research, Teaching & Technology—Test Bedding in Action** | 6 Oct, 16:00 BST | [Register](https://www.qs.com/webinars/connecting-research-teaching-technology-test-bedding-in-action?ref=newsletters.qs.com) | | 🔬 **Webinar: Accelerating Research in the Agentic Era** | 7 Oct, 16:00 ET | [Register](https://www.qs.com/webinars/accelerating-research-in-the-agentic-era-building-the-next-engine-of-discovery-scholarly-impact?ref=newsletters.qs.com) | | 🌱 **Webinar: Innovating with Integrity—Sustainability, AI and the Responsible Institution** | 25 Nov, 16:00 GMT | [Register](https://www.qs.com/webinars/innovating-with-integrity-sustainability-ai-the-responsible-institution?ref=newsletters.qs.com) | | 📅 **QS Reimagine Education 2026, London**⏰ Early bird runs to 31 Oct. | 7–8 Dec | [**Register today →**](https://www.qs.com/conferences/reimagine?ref=newsletters.qs.com) | | 🗓️ **2026 Innovation Webinar Series** | On-demand + live | [Browse all](https://www.qs.com/webinars?ref=newsletters.qs.com) | --- ## ⭐ **AI & Digital Innovation Spotlight** Industry leaders and education organizations are advancing AI-enabled learning through initiatives that strengthen digital capabilities and expand access to AI knowledge and skills. 🧠 **Skillsoft** [**expanded its Skills Management platform with an AI Coach**](https://techrseries.com/employee-engagement/skillsoft-expands-skills-management-platform-with-ai-coach-accelerating-connection-between-employee-learning-and-performance/?ref=newsletters.qs.com), to connect employee performance to personalized guidance, skills development, and career progression support. ☁️ [**Instructure and the AWS Education Equity Initiative**](https://techrseries.com/learning-and-development/instructure-advances-education-equity-with-aws-support-accelerating-ai-powered-learning-modernization-and-workforce-pathways/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) will build AI-powered LMS migration tooling and expand Canvas Career, targeting 5.4 million learners over four years. --- ## **🤝 Policy & Partnerships** Governments and educational institutions are shaping workforce and digital education through policies and collaborations that improve access to skills development and career pathways. ⚖️ **Tennessee** [**enacted new legislation to strengthen AI education and digital literacy**](https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-news/tn-laws-tech-ai-education/?ref=newsletters.qs.com), expanding AI-focused learning opportunities while establishing guidance for the responsible use of AI in education. 🎓 **Iowa Central Community College** [**became the first institution in the US to receive federal Workforce Pell approval**](https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/08/04/iowa-central-community-college-first-in-u-s-to-receive-federal-workforce-pell-approval/?ref=newsletters.qs.com), enabling eligible students to access financial aid for short-term workforce training and career-focused education programs. 🌐 **JNTU Hyderabad** [**signed an MoU with Coursera to expand access to online courses**](https://telanganatoday.com/jntu-hyderabad-signs-mou-with-coursera-for-online-courses?ref=newsletters.qs.com), providing students with industry-aligned learning opportunities and globally recognized digital credentials to enhance workforce readiness. ## 💪 **Power Moves & Funding** Capital moved in two directions last week. Asian operators are buying Western degree-granting capacity, and US platforms are buying specialist content and back-office systems they'd otherwise have to build. 🎓 **Kaplan** is selling Dublin Business School, Ireland's large independent institution, to **China's Chunlai Education Group** for [$127.5 M](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260805081381/en/China-Chunlai-Education-Group-to-Acquire-Dublin-Business-School-From-Kaplan?ref=newsletters.qs.com), exiting a market that's gaining international enrolment share. 🤝 **Imagine Learning** [**acquired**](https://www.imaginelearning.com/press/imagine-learning-acquires-wayside-publishing-to-advance-world-language-education/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) **Wayside Publishing**, adding world language content to its K–12 platform rather than building it in-house. 🧑‍🏫 **Ascend Learning** [**acquired**](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/08/05/3339290/0/en/ascend-learning-acquires-tams-to-strengthen-faculty-operations-at-nursing-schools.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) **the Teaching Assignment Management System** (TAMS), pushing consolidation into institutional operations rather than teaching and learning. 🧑‍💻 **Imarticus Learning** [**acquired**](https://education.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/imarticus-learning-enters-southeast-asia-with-acquisition-of-singapores-bells-institute/132979347?ref=newsletters.qs.com) **Singapore's Bells Institute of Higher Learning**, its entry point into Southeast Asian professional education. [Demo the QS Analytics Platform](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/2C1%5FV5ni4SEyLILjrqcyQnQfigrs?ref=newsletters.qs.com)