edtech startups and vcs rally around a memo of their own

Outschool CEO Calls for Edtech Industry Advocacy

Amir Nathoo, founder of Outschool, has issued a call to action for the edtech sector. He urges companies to actively participate in public discourse, particularly following increased attention during the pandemic. Nathoo advises against maintaining a strictly neutral stance on important issues.

Support for Teaching Critical Race Theory

Nathoo co-authored a statement alongside other edtech leaders. This statement advocates for the continued allowance of teachers to incorporate critical race theory (CRT) into classroom instruction nationwide.

The framework of CRT, currently a focus of legislative debate, centers on recognizing the presence of institutional and systemic racism within the United States. While proponents view CRT as essential for understanding societal racism and its perpetuation of inequality, critics argue it may exacerbate existing societal divisions.

The Importance of Acknowledging Racism

“It is imperative that, as a nation, we affirm that addressing the historical wrongs of racism is not divisive,” the statement declares. Concerns have been raised regarding new legislation potentially mandating the presentation of “both sides” when teaching about race or current events.

Such a requirement, if implemented, could hinder educators’ ability to unequivocally condemn historical injustices like lynching or the legacy of Jim Crow laws.

A Pledge Against Restrictive Laws

The statement further commits the signatories to oppose any new laws that limit the teaching of racism within educational settings. As leaders in education technology, they believe such restrictions are unacceptable.

Signatories to the Statement

The statement carries significant weight due to the prominent founders and investors in the edtech space who have endorsed it. These include:

• Atin Batra, General Partner, 27V (Twenty Seven Ventures)
• Michael Ke Zhang, CEO and Co-Founder of AI Camp
• Joanna Smith, CEO and Founder of AllHere
• Ilana Nankin, Ph.D. Founder & CEO of Breathe For Change
• John Danner, Managing Partner, Dunce Capital
• Erika Hairston, CEO and Co-Founder of Edlyft
• Michael Haddix, Founder, Elevate
• Alex Taussig, Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners
• Brian Swartz – CEO & Co-Founder Neighbor Schools
• Bridget Garsh – COO & Co-Founder Neighbor Schools
• Cedric McDougal – CTO & Co-Founder Neighbor Schools
• Sabari Raja, CEO and Cofounder, Nepris
• Amir Nathoo, CEO and Co-Founder of Outschool
• Rita Rosa Ruesga, Co-Founder Pikitin Learning Projects
• Garrett Smiley, CEO and Co-Founder of Sora Schools
• Rethink Education III Team
• Rebecca Kaden, Managing Partner, Union Square Ventures
• Sara Mauskopf, CEO and Co-Founder of Winnie
• Jo Boaler, The Nominelli-Olivier Professor of Education, Stanford University, Co-Founder of youcubed

This collective endorsement signals a growing willingness within the edtech community to engage in critical social and political conversations.

The signatories believe open discussion and honest education are vital for progress.

Mission-Driven Political Engagement

A rising sentiment within Silicon Valley suggests that corporate involvement in political matters should be limited to issues directly connected to the company’s core mission and potential business impact.

This discussion was initially sparked by Brian Armstrong of Coinbase, who released a memo prohibiting internal debates on causes and political topics unrelated to the company’s work. Subsequently, Basecamp adopted a similar stance, and the anonymous Twitter account, Mission Protocol, emerged to assist other startups in implementing comparable codes of conduct inspired by Armstrong’s approach.

According to a post from the account, “Our initiative began because existing codes of conduct and discussions surrounding social responsibility lacked a focus on the most crucial aspect: maintaining concentration on the positive contributions we make to society through our core missions.”

Nathoo explained in an interview that critical race theory “directly aligns” with their mission, while also emphasizing the company’s commitment to a broad understanding of how their community might be affected.

The company intends to participate in discussions and voice its opinions on issues concerning race and inequality. “While ideally, companies would remain neutral in political affairs, this is not the current reality,” he stated. “We believe it’s a dereliction of corporate duty to suggest that every issue has two equally valid sides.”

Joanna Smith, CEO of AllHere and a signatory to the statement, shared with TechCrunch that the declaration is intrinsically linked to her company’s objectives. AllHere has developed a 24/7 chatbot designed to support families and children facing challenges with school absenteeism.

The company concentrates on assisting families, through both text-based communication and direct intervention, to achieve improved outcomes and reduce educational disparities. “Every startup must acknowledge the environment in which it operates,” she asserted. “Specifically within the educational technology sector, it would be challenging to expand a company that directly interacts with families and children without being cognizant of, and responsive to, the needs and priorities of those it aims to serve.”

“We cannot afford to ignore the realities faced by families and children, which, for AllHere, encompass transportation, healthcare, absenteeism, mental well-being, and their overall worldview,” she added.

The debate extends beyond simple support or opposition to Coinbase’s position. Both companies propose an alternative approach to political engagement for startups: linking it to the mission and defining the mission in a comprehensive and inclusive manner.

Nathoo indicated that a select group of edtech leaders were initially invited to endorse the edtech statement. Those who declined to sign primarily cited disagreements with the messaging or concerns about becoming involved in political issues.

Edtech companies are uniquely positioned to address issues of racism due to the nature of their content and missions. Quizlet, for instance, provides numerous free, downloadable lessons for educators covering topics such as mass incarceration and policing, the women’s suffrage movement, and the impact of the coronavirus on the Black community.

Outschool offers a variety of classes focused on anti-racism, including a one-time class for children aged 4-6 priced at $11. However, significant progress remains to be made.

Nathoo anticipates that Outschool’s business, recently valued at over $1 billion, will benefit from this decision through “enhanced trust and stronger connections” with both the community and its employees. Conversely, Medium recently experienced further employee departures following CEO Ev Williams’ publication of a culture memo after a failed unionization effort.

Despite this stance, Nathoo acknowledges that the company “has not yet reached its desired level” of diversity and recognizes the need for continued effort. Whether today’s actions, advocating against the reduction of critical race theory and promoting discussions on racism, will attract or deter prospective employees remains to be seen.