📚 Shaping education in 2025: Evidence-based insights for a changing world
Jacobs Foundation
We work to give every child the evidence-based education they need to thrive.
The first months of 2025 have demonstrated that the world is changing rapidly, and education systems need the right research, tools, and partnerships to keep up. That’s why we’re doubling down on our commitment to Strategy 2030—working to connect research and practice, supporting AI’s role in learning, and expanding initiatives like EdLabs.
We are pleased to share the most recent developments in the Foundation’s work, as well as news and insights from across our network below.
The Foundation in print: The Rise Of Knowledge Brokers In Global Education Governance
A new book on global education was launched in January featuring a chapter co-authored by Samuel Kembou and Donika Dimovska. The chapter, Evidence labs in the education sector, shares insights from the Jacobs Foundation’s journey in building Education Evidence Labs (EdLabs) across Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Switzerland, and Colombia.
Bringing together policymakers, researchers, and educators, EdLabs are designed to bridge the gap between research and real-world decision-making. Their chapter reflects on what it takes to build these EdLabs from the ground up, how they navigate the realities of policymaking, and what’s needed to make education systems more evidence-driven.
This is a must-read for anyone working to turn data into meaningful change in education.
Celebrating one year of Colombia Evidencia Potencial en Educación (CEPE)
A year ago, Colombia Evidencia Potencial en Educación (CEPE) was presented with a bold vision: to ensure that every child in Colombia benefits from evidence-based education.
Over the past year, CEPE has brought policymakers, researchers, and educators together to support Communities of Change, making evidence-based decision-making a reality for schools across Colombia. As CEPE enters its second year, the focus is on expanding its reach, deepening partnerships, and embedding evidence even further into education policy and practice. The Jacobs Foundation remains committed to this vision, because when research drives decision-making, children’s learning outcomes improve.
The Jacobs Foundation marks the International Day of Education 2025
This year’s International Day of Education theme highlighted the growing role of AI in learning and the need to ensure that technology supports, rather than replaces, human agency. As AI becomes more integrated into classrooms, it is critical to take an evidence-based approach that prioritizes meaningful learning experiences for all students.
The Jacobs Foundation is investing in pioneering research to help shape AI’s role in education. Through initiatives such as the Center for Learning and Living with AI (CELLA) and Connecting the EdTech Research Ecosystem (CERES), we are working with leading experts to ensure AI-driven tools are developed responsibly, informed by rigorous research, and designed to enhance learning outcomes.
With AI continuing to transform education, we remain committed to advancing solutions that empower students and educators to make informed decisions about the future of learning.
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How did Google build AI for education?
In an episode of BOLD ’s Ed-Technical podcast, hosts Libby Hills and Owen Henkel sit down with Google to unpack LearnLM—a language model designed specifically for education.
How can AI truly support students and teachers? What did Google get right? And what’s next?
Explore the Digital Museum of Learning’s latest story, ‘Marketing and ads: Are you a smart shopper?’
The Digital Museum of Learning ’s latest story takes a deep dive into the world of advertising. How do brands grab our attention? What tricks make us spend more? And most importantly, how can young people develop the skills to think critically about the messages they see daily?
This interactive story helps students analyze and reflect on the power of marketing and become smarter consumers along the way.
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