Leanlab Education

Leanlab recently partnered with Preply, a human-led, AI-enabled language learning platform, to study how 1-on-1 tutoring accelerates English language learning and confidence for Spanish-speaking adult professionals. Over 12 weeks, learners progressed up to 3x faster than standard benchmarks, with 1 in 3 improving their CEFR scores by a full level and 96% crediting real human tutors as key to their success!

Check out our findings here:https://avatars.preply.com/inbound/media/20250902/preply-research-leanlab-education.pdf
Learn more about the study here: https://preply.com/en/blog/speak-like-you-mean-it-confidence-proven-to-accelerate-language-fluency/

Speak Like You Mean It: Confidence Proven to Accelerate Language Fluency Discover how confidence fuels faster language learning. Backed by new Preply research, this article explores how English learners dramatically improved their fluency and confidence in just 12 weeks, and why confidence is the secret ingredient to real, lasting progress.

New AI tools are emerging faster than researchers can evaluate them. Educators and school leaders lack the time and data to distinguish between transformational tools and empty promises.

The solution isn't to slow down innovation—it's to accelerate it responsibly.

Our new white paper outlines how a national AI testbed infrastructure for education could support the responsible use of AI in education. This coordinated network would test tools across learning contexts, ensuring that access to effective AI is available to all students.

Produced by the Global Edtech Trialing Network - U.S., the report draws on expertise of educators, researchers, and policymakers to provide strategic recommendations for AI testbed infrastructure for education.

Read the report: https://www.leanlabeducation.org/building-a-responsible-ai-testbed-infrastructure-for-us-education-in-2025

Community voting for SXSW EDU 2026 is now open, and Leanlab Education has the exciting opportunity to present alongside Innovateedu and AERDF's AugmentED! "Test Fast, Learn Fast: AI Trialing Networks and Edtech" explores how agile, AI-focused trialing networks allow education leaders and developers to quickly validate what works—and what doesn’t—before full-scale adoption.

Cast your vote now through Sunday, Aug. 24 to help shape the programming at SXSW EDU and ensure community-focused AI R&D infrastructure is part of the conversation.

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PanelPicker | SXSW Conference & Festivals PanelPicker® is the official SXSW user-generated session proposal platform. Enter ideas and vote to help shape Conference programming for SXSW and SXSW EDU.

Leanlab Education recently partnered with the Adobe for Education team and teachers across the country to explore how generative AI tools can foster creativity in K12 classrooms.

When teachers incorporated Adobe Express for Education's generative AI tools in creative, standards-aligned activities, they reported:
- Deeper learning
- Stronger creative thinking and more authentic self-expression
- Improved communication and collaboration skills
- Increased student engagement—even from those who usually disengage

These findings highlight the potential of generative AI for students and teachers: supporting teachers in designing creative learning experiences and giving students the structure, support, and spark they need to take their learning to the next level.

Take a closer look at the research here: https://blog.adobe.com/en/publish/2025/07/29/new-research-adobe-express-for-education-sparks-student-engagement-creativity.

New research: Adobe Express for Education sparks student engagement and creativity | Adobe Blog Independent study shows Adobe Express for Education boosts student creativity, communication, and learning with AI-powered tools designed for K-12 classrooms.

What an incredible first few days at ! We've loved collaborating with and learning from the innovators who are reimagining the future of education in their own schools and districts, at the state or regional level, and from the product side.

There's still one more chance to connect and explore how we can codesign edtech with educators and learners. Join us today at 4 PM in HBGCC - room 303BC for the panel Designing for Impact: Human-Centered R&D in EdTech Innovation!

What is codesign, really—and how can it transform education?

In a new blog, Leanlab CEO & Founder Katie Boody Adorno breaks down how true codesign starts with educators as co-creators of product, then transitions to co-creators of research design, and—crucially—as co-investigators of learning outcomes.

What is Codesign, Really? When Leanlab was founded in 2013, the term codesign wasn’t in our vocabulary. But the idea was already there.

How do we build education systems that are resilient, responsive, and codesigned with communities?

In April, Leanlab Education joined AERDF, ALI, Learner-Centered Collaborative, and InnovateEDU to convene a group of national education leaders at ASU+GSV. Together, we explored the promise and potential of regional innovation hubs—collaborative ecosystems shaped by local context.

In our latest co-authored blog, we share insights from that conversation, including the conditions required to create and scale regional innovation hubs, as well as promising existing initiatives.

Learn about these efforts and how you can be part of the conversation: https://www.leanlabeducation.org/blog/2025/5/19/can-regional-innovation-hubs-create-a-more-promising-future-for-k-12-education.

Can Regional Innovation Hubs Create a More Promising Future for K-12 Education? — Leanlab Education With uncertainty across the educational landscape—the expiration of ESSER funds and shrinking public school district budgets, cuts to federally funded research initiatives, and opportunities and challenges around AI integration—we need to understand where, when, and how to create systems that su...

At Leanlab Education, we are deeply grateful to the incredible teachers who inspire, empower, and support students every single day. We hope you feel seen and celebrated—not just this week, but all year long—for your commitment to your students and contributions to your communities.

We are especially thankful for the educators in the Codesign Collective and AGILE Network who regularly share their insights, offering perspectives from 350 schools in 29 states! This school year, teachers participated in 22 codesign research studies, trialing and providing feedback on promising education solutions—from AI teacher copilots and literacy tools to new curriculum resources and college and career guidance platforms.

As a research partner, we strive to continually support teachers through peer learning communities, meaningful compensation, and real opportunities to shape innovation in K–12 education. We are grateful for your partnership.

Thank you for all that you do.