EdGate Powers Podcast #11 - with Michael Campbell
Entering a new education market requires far more than identifying a large potential customer base. Education companies must understand differences in state curricula, standards, regulations, accreditation requirements, and local needs while determining where their solutions can provide meaningful value. For organizations expanding across the United States or internationally, the challenge is navigating these differences efficiently while maintaining a strong educational foundation and ensuring products meet the expectations of the schools, educators, and students they are designed to serve.
In this episode of the EdGate Powers Podcast, Rich Portelance speaks with Michael Campbell, President of Advancing Global EDU, about the complexities of entering new U.S. and international education markets and the role that standards alignment, curriculum mapping, and compliance play in that process. The discussion explores why companies entering the United States need to think beyond the national market and understand the differences between individual states, how international schools may need to align with specific U.S. state standards for accreditation, and why researching local educational needs is essential for identifying viable opportunities.
Campbell also discusses how artificial intelligence can support educators through assessment creation, individualized learning, and other classroom applications while emphasizing that AI should complement teaching rather than replace it. He explains why effective AI solutions depend on accurate underlying curriculum data and why teachers need time, professional development, and clear policies to become comfortable using emerging technologies. The conversation also explores the growing importance of Career and Technical Education (CTE), skills alignment, and technology-enabled pathways that can help students prepare for college, careers, and other postsecondary opportunities.
In this episode, you will learn:
- Why education companies should view the U.S. as a collection of distinct state markets when planning expansion.
- What companies need to research about state curricula, standards, regulations, and local education needs before entering a new market.
- Why standards alignment and curriculum mapping are important for winning new contracts and meeting accreditation requirements.
- How international schools may use U.S. state standards to satisfy curriculum and accreditation expectations.
- Why understanding educational needs can help companies identify opportunities despite uncertainty in the education market.
- How AI can support teachers with assessment creation, reading comprehension, and individualized learning.
- Why accurate curriculum data and standards mappings provide an important foundation for effective AI applications.
- How CTE, skills alignment, and emerging technologies can help connect education with future career pathways.
Why This Conversation Matters
Expanding into new education markets can expose publishers and edtech providers to significant differences in standards, curricula, regulations, purchasing environments, and accreditation requirements. These challenges become even more complex when organizations operate across international markets, where schools may need to demonstrate alignment with specific U.S. state standards or other educational frameworks. Understanding those requirements early can help companies identify the right opportunities and position their solutions for successful adoption.
A strong educational foundation also becomes increasingly important as companies incorporate AI and other advanced technologies into their products. AI can reduce repetitive work, support more individualized learning, and give teachers additional tools in the classroom, but its effectiveness depends on the quality of the information behind it and the ability of educators to evaluate and apply its outputs. At the same time, the growth of CTE and skills-based pathways is creating new opportunities to connect curriculum, standards, technology, and workforce preparation.
Join Rich and Michael as they explore how education companies can navigate new U.S. and international markets, from researching local requirements and aligning curriculum to using emerging technologies to support more personalized learning and prepare students for future opportunities.
Learn how edtech companies overcome challenges and explore opportunities when expanding into different markets.
Mike Campbell is a proven international educational leader with over 30 years experience in all facets of business, from product development and brand creation to customer acquisition. With a deep understanding of K-12 and Higher Education educational technology and publishing, along with corporate and educational training, Mike is a sought after resource for companies looking to expand market share and increase revenue.
Currently, Mike is part of a highly skilled team creating a new international K-12 school, a seasoned advisor, and a trusted provider to a number U.S. and international EdTech concerns.
Rich is passionate about eEdTech and helping people discover pathways to successful careers. He leverages his many years of business experience in strategy, product development, brand creation and sales & marketing as a frequent industry speaker and sought after consultant.
Beginning his career in digital marketing and web development, Rich was recruited into the private, independent school market to help usher in digital technologies and social media. During this time, Richard served as a student advisor and was nominated to serve on the CAIS (Connecticut Association of Independent Schools) Technology Commission. In 2012, Rich joined York & Chapel, a brand and digital transformation agency where he began working with secondary and higher ed clients, developing strategies for student engagement and pathway creation. In 2014, Richard founded CareerPath, a SaaS engagement platform. Over the past ten years, Rich has given back to the industry as an advisor to numerous EdTech startups, and generally has had a blast doing what he loves to do — help others succeed.
Questions Answered
During the podcast, we tackle critical questions that edtech companies are asking related to curriculum alignment, compliance, and personalizing learning in domestic and international markets.
- What prompted the formation of Dual Bridges Academy, and where are its students coming from?
- Will Dual Bridges Academy serve students from the United States only, or will it provide cross-border education?
- What standards does Dual Bridges Academy need to align with to offer a dual diploma?
- How do differences between Common Core and individual state standards affect curriculum development?
- How does consulting experience help global education companies enter the U.S. market?
- How should education companies approach the changing U.S. market, and what challenges could affect their ability to win new business?
- How can education companies adapt their technology more quickly to different state education markets?
- How can education companies navigate compliance requirements when entering new markets?
- How are artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies changing the education technology market?
- How can education companies use technology to make learning more personalized, meaningful, and engaging for students?
- How can CTE and education technology help students pursue career pathways and trades?
- What will the future of individualized learning and education technology look like over the next 20 years?