Project Unicorn
projectunicorn.bsky.social
Project Unicorn
@projectunicorn.bsky.social
Real change in education comes down to people working together. Driving long-term impact also means making space to recharge.
InnovateEDU will be offline on Mon, Sept 7 for #LaborDay. We'll be back Sept 8, ready to continue building equitable learning systems for all students!
September 7, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Meet the mentors for the @projectunicorn.bsky.social 2026 - 2027 Emerging Leaders Cohort! These field leaders and experts will play an important role in our cohort’s interoperability journey.

Meet the mentors: www.projectunicorn.org/2026-emergin...

#ProjectUnicorn #Interoperability
September 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM
We are excited to welcome the 2026 - 2027 class of the @projectunicorn.bsky.social Emerging Leaders Cohort as we build a future where data interoperability supports success for every student.

Learn more: www.projectunicorn.org/2026-emergin...

#ProjectUnicorn #Interoperability
September 2, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Not every vendor belongs in your ecosystem. The OBC Provider Guide helps districts identify the ones who are truly committed to open data standards and interoperability.
Read the Provider Guide: www.projectunicorn.org/resources/ob...
#Interoperability #EdTechEcosystem #K12EdTech #JoinTheHerd
How Education Providers Can Use OBC to Sustain Long-term and Efficacious Partnerships — Project Unicorn
Outcomes based contracting (OBC) offers an innovative approach to addressing the fundamental challenges in edtech procurement by restructuring how districts select, implement, and pay for edtech products and services.
www.projectunicorn.org
August 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Join us in celebrating the @projectunicorn.bsky.social 2026 - 2027 Emerging Leaders Cohort mentors! This group of EdTech leaders and interoperability experts will support our cohort over the next year.

Meet the mentors: www.projectunicorn.org/2026-emergin...

#ProjectUnicorn #Interoperability
August 27, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Join us in welcoming the @projectunicorn.bsky.social 2026 - 2027 Emerging Leaders Cohort! This group of early-career professionals spending the next year strengthening their understanding of data interoperability to enhance edu systems.

Explore the cohort: www.projectunicorn.org/2026-emergin...
August 26, 2026 at 4:00 PM
On the latest episode of Data Magic, Katie Bradford, Senior Associate and Project Unicorn’s new leader, joins the podcast to discuss the hidden costs that arise when systems don't talk to each other.
Listen: linktr.ee/ProjectUnico...
#K12 #AI #Interoperability
August 24, 2026 at 2:30 PM
The team is offline August 24–26 for our annual staff retreat! We’re bringing our nationwide team together to collaborate and plan for the future. We look forward to reconnecting with you on Thursday, August 27.
#InnovateEDU #LeadingWithJoy #EdTech #TeamCulture
August 24, 2026 at 12:00 PM
One non-compliant vendor can undermine your entire district's data privacy commitment. The TAC Series gives you a structured approach to close the gaps before they become a problem.
Safeguard Student Data: www.projectunicorn.org/resources/ta...

#StudentDataPrivacy #K12DataGovernance #Safety
TAC Series: Safeguarding Student Data - Supporting Data Security and Privacy in K-12 Edtech — Project Unicorn
Privacy and security in K-12 have never been more critical. As technology matures and advances, the use of education technology and artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more widespread, the risks of attacks, human error, and other privacy and security concerns will only continue to grow. All roles i
www.projectunicorn.org
August 20, 2026 at 2:30 PM
10 years ago, we set out to champion K-12 data interoperability. To celebrate, we built V1 of the State Data Standards Map—but 29 states are still unverified!
Help us reach all 50 states by Oct!
Watch our CEO’s Message: youtu.be/HutkFWM3PmY
#EdData #K12 #EdTech
Project Unicorn State Data Standards Map
Project Unicorn is 10 years old! To celebrate this anniversary, we are releasing our new State Data Standards Map. This is a free, interactive resource designed to provide a clear view of how states are engaging with key education technology standards. The State Data Standards Map offers a high-level, at-a-glance resource to better understand the evolving K-12 education technology landscape. Whether you're an educator, policymaker, or solution provider, watch this video to explore the tool.
youtu.be
August 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM
The best procurement decisions happen before the demo. Equip your district with the right framework to evaluate EdTech on safety, quality, and interoperability.

Check out the Checklist: www.projectunicorn.org/resources/ai...

#EdTechProcurement #K12AI #SmartEdTech #UnicornStandard
AI in Education: Negotiating for Our Future - A Checklist for K12 Districts — Project Unicorn
Resource designed to bridge the gap between technical data governance and ethical AI implementation, responding to practical needs from our work leading 29 school district policy labs and 10 state policy labs.
www.projectunicorn.org
August 13, 2026 at 1:00 PM
School districts & EdTech providers need clarity on state data standards, and we're building the map. As part of our 10-year milestone, we released State Data Standards Map V1. Help us get from 21 to 50 states – by October 2026!

CEO, Erin Mote explains: youtu.be/HutkFWM3PmY
Project Unicorn State Data Standards Map
Project Unicorn is 10 years old! To celebrate this anniversary, we are releasing our new State Data Standards Map. This is a free, interactive resource designed to provide a clear view of how states are engaging with key education technology standards. The State Data Standards Map offers a high-level, at-a-glance resource to better understand the evolving K-12 education technology landscape. Whether you're an educator, policymaker, or solution provider, watch this video to explore the tool.
youtu.be
August 11, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Disconnected tools cost teachers time and students opportunity. Interoperability certification is the pathway to a school ecosystem that actually works together.
Explore Interoperability Certification: www.projectunicorn.org/resources/ta...
#Interoperability #K12EdTech #ConnectedClassroom
TAC Series: Interoperability Certification for Empowering Data Stewardship — Project Unicorn
The significance of product certifications in education technology software cannot be overstated. Among the myriad of certifications available for different product dimensions, those focused on data interoperability are crucial in signaling tool practices responsible for data stewardship. This resou
www.projectunicorn.org
August 6, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Help us welcome Katie Bradford, our Senior Associate! With 15+ years of EdTech & partnership experience, Katie excels at connecting educators, developers, and policymakers to turn complex data challenges into practical solutions. Welcome to the team!
#EdTech #Interoperability
August 6, 2026 at 1:00 PM
To celebrate our 10th anniversary, @ProjectUnicorn launched V1 of the State Data Standards Map! Is your State Education Agency marked as Not Reported on the national map?
Help us reach all 50 states by Oct!
Video: youtu.be/HutkFWM3PmY
#K12Data #EdTech #Interoperability
Project Unicorn State Data Standards Map
Project Unicorn is 10 years old! To celebrate this anniversary, we are releasing our new State Data Standards Map. This is a free, interactive resource designed to provide a clear view of how states are engaging with key education technology standards. The State Data Standards Map offers a high-level, at-a-glance resource to better understand the evolving K-12 education technology landscape. Whether you're an educator, policymaker, or solution provider, watch this video to explore the tool.
youtu.be
August 5, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Last Call for SSDS!

Data drives change, but only if the infrastructure is strong. Help @Project Unicorn identify needs and improve security for students nationwide.

Take the 6th Annual SSDS today! www.projectunicorn.org/ssds #SSDS #K12
July 30, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Disconnected tools = disconnected students. Choose certified, interoperable products and give your teachers the insights they need to succeed.
Getting Certified: drive.google.com/file/d/1o_UZ...
#BreakTheSilos #Interoperability #EdTechCertification #JoinTheHerd
July 30, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Applications for the 2026-27 Project Unicorn Emerging Leaders Cohort close in one week! Expand your knowledge, connect with experts, and be part of a nationwide network driving change in digital ecosystems—apply here: www.projectunicorn.org/emerging-lea...
#ProjectUnicorn #EmergingLeaders
Emerging Leaders Cohort — Project Unicorn
Designed for education sector leaders from the field, this learning and leadership opportunity brings together early career leaders who are engaged in building a modernized digital ecosystem in their district.
www.projectunicorn.org
July 29, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Charles Randolph from Arlington Career Center credited the Project Unicorn Emerging Leaders Cohort with deepening his understanding of data interoperability and helping him explore innovative ways to create better outcomes for students and educators.
#EdTech #DataInEducation
July 28, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Final Call: The 2026 School System Data Survey closes Friday, July 31! Help shape the national conversation on data privacy, edtech, and interoperability.

Take the survey: www.projectunicorn.org/ssds

#SSDS #K12
July 27, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Data drives change, but only if the infrastructure is strong. Help @Project Unicorn identify needs and improve security for students nationwide. Take the 6th Annual SSDS today! www.projectunicorn.org/ssds

#SSDS #K12
July 23, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Let evidence — not marketing — drive your 2026 EdTech budget. The Evidence Report with @Instructure shows what's actually working for students.
Read the full Evidence Report: www.instructure.com/landing/2026...
#EdTechEvidence #K12Leadership #StudentOutcomes #SmartEdTech
2026 Evidence Report
Explore the 2026 Evidence Report for insights on learning outcomes, edtech effectiveness, and data-driven education strategies.
www.instructure.com
July 23, 2026 at 2:30 PM
On the latest episode of Data Magic, Sara Kloek from SIIA joins Project Unicorn to discuss the critical intersection of cybersecurity, policy, and data governance within K-12 education.
Listen: linktr.ee/ProjectUnico...
#K12 #AI #Interoperability
July 23, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Reflecting on his participation in Project Unicorn’s 2025-26 Emerging Leaders Cohort, Micah Miner shared this thought: “When we secure our digital ecosystems, our teachers are empowered, our students are protected, and our entire community thrives.”
#Interoperability
July 21, 2026 at 2:30 PM
AI is only as good as the data that feeds it. Don’t guess your AI readiness—measure it with the 6th Annual School System Data Survey. Get a custom roadmap and a $15 gift card for participating!
Take the survey: www.projectunicorn.org/ssds
#SSDS #EdTech
July 20, 2026 at 1:01 PM