TRENDS SHAPING K–12 EDUCATION
Districts are facing financial challenges, declining enrollment, and the growing role of AI in classrooms. Schools are focusing on strategic marketing, budgeting, and community engagement, while leaders embrace change management and teachers receive more support. With AI’s rapid rise, the need for training and guidance is more important than ever. Stay ahead of the shifts by exploring the key trends shaping education today.
TREND 1: Districts Turn to Marketing and Advocacy in a Competitive Enrollment Environment
The enrollment cliff, the loss of ESSER funds, and increased competition are pushing K–12 leaders to develop creative ways to market and advocate for their district to stabilize financial turmoil.
41 = The number of states projected to have lower public school enrollment in 2030 than 2020
-$45,568 – The average amount of funding U.S. schools lose every time four students leave a district, equivalent to one teacher’s annual salary
TREND 2: The Expiration of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funding Spurs a Move Toward Consistent Program Measurement
Academic recovery progress has been inconsistent across the U.S. K–12 leaders need to pinpoint which program investments in their district accelerate student achievement and make difficult budget reductions without jeopardizing support for their most vulnerable students.
64.3% – The average percentage of ESSER funds spent as of September 2023
59% – The percentage of district leaders who planned to spend remaining ESSER funds on curriculum materials as of August 2023
43% – The percentage of educators who agreed their current curricula was high quality and well aligned to learning standards
$1,200 – The average dollar amount districts will need to cut per student in 2024–25 budgets, due to the loss of ESSER funds
TREND 3: Community Engagement Improves School Climate and Drives Inclusive Decision-Making
Many districts are learning that strengthening community engagement not only improves their understanding of the communities they serve, but also positively impacts school climates by fostering decisions that meet the needs of more students, staff, and families.
50% – The percentage of students, staff, and families who agree their district engages the community
67% vs 81% – The percentage of parents who agree their child’s school makes families feel valued, compared to staff who believe it does
45% – The percentage of students, staff, and families who agree their district responds to community members’ questions or concerns
TREND 4: Leaders Leverage Change Management to Build Capacity and Consensus in an Era of Uncertainty
As K–12 leaders face increasing budget, staffing, and political pressures, they are building key skills for resiliency and turning to capacity building and change management to propel their districts and schools forward.
21.4% – The rate of superintendent turnover among the 500 largest school districts in 2022–23, compared to a historical average of 14–16%
37% – The percentage of teachers who think their district leaders demonstrate empathy, compared to 79% of district leaders who believe they do
88% – The percentage of superintendents who cite “the intrusion of political issues and opinions into schooling” as a source of stress in their job
TREND 5: Teachers Receive More Support to Develop Agency, Efficacy, and Professional Growth
Teachers need additional support and professional learning resources not only to accelerate student achievement, but also to feel more valued and effective in their professional roles.
20% – The percentage of teachers who felt very satisfied with their jobs in 2023, compared to just 12% in 2022
56% – The percentage of teachers who report experiencing burnout in 2023, compared to 45% of other working adults
$18 billion – The annual spend on K–12 teacher professional learning in the U.S., with the 50 largest school districts spending about $8 billion collectively
TREND 6: Districts Seek Frameworks to Incorporate Artificial Intelligence into Schools
Rapid advancements — and potential threats — in artificial intelligence (AI) are redefining the role of technology in the K–12 learning environment, prompting the need for guidance.
13 – The number of states that either have or are in the process of developing AI guidance for schools
63% – The percentage of teachers who say they’ve used ChatGPT on the job, compared to 42% of students
96% – The percentage of teachers who say they haven’t received any professional development on using AI for learning
Source: https://insights.hanoverresearch.com/hubfs/2024-Trends-in-K-12-Education.pdf
