In this episode of the Boys of EdTech, the crew is joined by Dr. Barbara Mullen, Superintendent of Rush-Henrietta Central School District, and Dr. Brittany Miller, leader of the Center for Outcomes-Based Contracting. Together, they unpack what it really takes to align edtech innovation with student success.

Dr. Mullen shares her district’s “big rocks,” including facilities modernization, student wellness, and improving math and writing outcomes—grounded in a long-term strategic vision. She emphasizes the importance of infrastructure, data maturity, and thoughtful change management in driving meaningful progress.

Dr. Miller dives deep into outcomes-based contracting (OBC), explaining how districts and providers can move beyond transactional relationships toward true partnerships focused on measurable student outcomes. She highlights how aligning pricing, implementation, and accountability creates stronger, more sustainable impact.

The conversation challenges both districts and edtech providers to raise expectations, define impact clearly, and embrace accountability. From the realities of scaling innovation to the importance of rigorous measurement and change management, this episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about improving education systems.

Connect with the Boyz
Rick Fernandez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/
Matthew Millstein: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-millstein/
Jacob Kantor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejacobkantor/
Ryan Patenaude: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanpatenaude/
Jeff Piontek: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffpiontek/

Key Moments

06:58 Updating facilities for innovation

08:11 Upgrading facilities for climate readiness

12:13 Focusing on student-centered outcomes

14:33 Free open-source resources and research

20:19 Future-focused partnerships and data insights

21:56 Urgency in education strategy

26:44 Embracing outcomes-based contracts in EdTech

29:52 State investments in educational tech

31:32 Importance of all-inclusive pricing

35:07 Understanding competitive advantages in ed tech

38:17 Defining impact and engagement metrics

41:46 Discussing change management strategy

45:29 Challenges with agreed outcomes in construction

48:06 Challenges in implementing education assessments

51:26 Hesitancy around student learning metrics

Connect with Guests
Dr. Brittany Miller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-miller-phd-290a13b3
Dr. Barbara Mullen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-a-mullen-ph-d-91bb4116

Interested in joining the show? Fill out the form: https://forms.gle/SRVhzpXikBombee38