Every teacher has heard it: “When will I ever use this?” For decades, that question has exposed the biggest gap in education — not a lack of technology or standards, but a lack of relevance.
At ISTE + ASCD 2026, I met with Jamie Candee, President & CEO of Edmentum, to talk about their “Road to Readiness” — a vision that treats learning less like a forced march and more like a road trip: a journey defined by exploration, agency, and a real-world destination.
🎬 Watch the Conversation
Edmentum’s “Road to Readiness” — CEO Jamie Candee at ISTE 2026
3 Takeaways from Our Conversation
🌊 1. Real-World Relevance
Through a partnership with the Emmy-winning Roadtrip Nation, Edmentum embeds authentic career videos directly into core curriculum — like world-champion surfers explaining how they use geometry to catch waves in Oahu. It’s a direct answer to the question every student asks: “Why do I need to know this?”
“One of the number one goals we have at Edmentum is to bring real-world relevance to students.” — Jamie Candee
🧭 2. College AND Career Ready
Edmentum is breaking the old “college vs. career” binary — introducing career exploration as early as middle school, offering nearly 200 CTE semesters across 55+ pathways, and helping districts partner with employers to bring workplace learning and simulations directly into high schools.
🍎 3. Educator-Driven Implementation
100% of Edmentum’s customer success managers and professional learning specialists are former educators and administrators. Their “listen first” approach starts with a district’s specific outcomes and shared goals, builds a customized implementation plan, and puts real people in schools to see it through.
“It’s a very collaborative process that is led by individuals who have been administrators and educators and care deeply about the outcomes within your system.” — Jamie Candee
Learn more: Explore Edmentum’s research and programs at edmentum.com, and follow along on LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.
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