Tools Competition

Overview

The 2023-24 Tools Competition is thrilled to introduce a focus on artificial intelligence, including through a new partnership with OpenAI to launch the OpenAI Learning Impact Prize. We aim to increase interest in and understanding of the possibilities of advanced computational methods in learning platforms.

Competition Tracks
This year’s competition is organized into five tracks that span Pre-K through adult learning. The tracks are designed to encourage competitors to propose new and innovative solutions that target pressing issues in learning.

1.    Accelerating & Assessing Learning: Tools to accelerate and assess PreK-12 learning outcomes and improve the learning experience.
Competitive Priorities: a subset of awards will be reserved for tools that:
•    Leverage Generative AI or large language models
•    Improve math outcomes

2.    Preparing for the 21st Century World: Tools that increase the relevance of instruction to build 21st century skills and prepare students to navigate the changing world.
Competitive Priorities: a subset of awards will be reserved for tools that:
•    Leverage Generative AI or large language models

3.    Instructional Coaching for Early Childhood Education: Tools that support instructional coaching for PreK to 2nd grade classrooms and expand teacher-centered principles in coaching practice.
Competitive Priorities: a subset of awards will be reserved for tools that:
•    Support content-specific instruction, particularly early math and literacy
•    Support effective instruction for multilingual learners and/or special education

4.    Facilitating Learning Science Research: Tools and technologies that facilitate the learning science research process in order to expand the field's knowledge and improve learning interventions. Competitive Priorities: a subset of awards will be reserved for tools that:
•    Leverage Generative AI or large language models
•    Expand research on K-12 math learning

5.    Engaging Adult Learners in Higher Education: Tools that increase the effectiveness and reach of higher education, particularly of non-traditional adult learners.
Competitive Priorities: a subset of awards will be reserved for:

•    Tools leveraging Generative AI or Large Language Models
•    Tools targeting working adult learners in a fully-online learning environment
•    Tools that serve learners in the State of California

Award levels: 
When submitting a proposal, competitors must select the relevant award level based on the size and scale of their tool. 

• Catalyst Level Awards: $50,000 These awards are designed for early-stage competitors.
• Growth Level Awards: $150,000 These awards are designed for competitors with a tool with some users and scale.
• Transform Level Awards : $300,000 These awards are designed for advanced competitors with an established tool.

The Tools Competition has a three-phase selection process that spans approximately eight months. 

• Phase I: Abstract Screening for Competition Fit
• Phase II: Proposal Review
• Phase III: Virtual Pitch

A subset of competition winners will be selected to receive Impact Prizes on top of their competition awards. Those invited to advance to Phase II will complete additional submission materials for consideration for an Impact Prize.

• OpenAI Learning Impact Prize: In partnership with OpenAI the Tools Competition is thrilled to offer the OpenAI Learning Impact Prize to catalyze the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on learning outcomes and drive edtech innovation leveraging advanced computational methods. OpenAI will select up to three recipients of the OpenAI Learning Impact Prize among competition winners who will receive $100,000 in additional funds, $10,000 in OpenAI API credits, and technical guidance from OpenAI engineers. Select contenders will also receive $2,500 in OpenAI API credits.
• Implementation Impact Prize: This year’s Tools Competition will also feature an Implementation Impact Prize of $100,000 in the Instructional Coaching for Early Childhood Education, Facilitating Learning Science Research, and Engaging Adult Learners in Higher Education tracks. Impact Prize is designed to encourage competitors to form partnerships to co-design, user-test, pilot, validate, or conduct research using their product in an educational setting.