The Instructure Breach Exposed More Than a Security Problem
Instructure confirmed a breach tied to the ShinyHunters extortion group, exposing data from thousands of global institutions. The incident follows a prior 2025 disclosure, underscoring the vulnerability of Canvas, the dominant learning‑management system in higher education. While schools are unlikely to replace their LMS immediately, repeated breaches are reshaping procurement conversations, security reviews, and vendor evaluations. The broader EdTech ecosystem now faces heightened scrutiny because of its reliance on a few concentrated platforms.
The Budget Is Being Decided Right Now
Most higher‑education vendors are pursuing deals that have already been rejected because university budgets were locked months ago. Universities with July fiscal years finalize allocations in May‑June, following a planning cycle that began the previous October. This year’s budgeting is...
Ellucian and the Economics of Leaving
Ellucian argues its moat lies in proprietary campus data, claiming an AI advantage. The blog shows generative AI can slash the 7,500 coding hours and $20 million cost needed to replace its Banner system, undermining data isolation as protection. Interviews with...
ETS Is Selling Its Crown Jewels and Buying Into a New Market. What Does That Tell Us?
ETS announced a joint venture with Khan Academy and TED to launch the Khan TED Institute, an AI‑focused bachelor’s degree priced under $10,000, with applications opening in 2027. At the same time, ETS is exploring the sale of its core...
The Workday Conversation Your Renewal Team Isn’t In
Workday completed its $1.1 billion acquisition of Sana in November 2025, expanding its learning‑technology portfolio beyond the corporate arena. While analysts framed the deal as a boost to enterprise workforce training, a deeper threat looms for higher‑education institutions that already rely on...
Same Inputs. Different Conclusions. We Were Right.
The Intelligence Council outlines a behavior‑focused research method that pits actual institutional actions against public statements, claiming it uncovers mispricings that consensus analysts miss. The approach was demonstrated with two recent theses: Stride, a virtual‑school operator whose stock jumped over...
The Microsoft Copilot Effect on the Higher Ed AI Market
Generative AI tools like Microsoft Copilot have already permeated teaching, research, and administrative processes across U.S. universities. Adoption occurred organically, outpacing the development of formal governance, procurement, and policy frameworks. Tight state and institutional budgets now force campuses to consolidate...