The COVID-19 outbreak caused turmoil in schools throughout the country, but more changes are expected in the future.
In its latest report, PreK-12 Policy & Budget Outlook, 2021-2022, Simba Information, a leading market research organization and a division of MarketResearch.com, identified five education trends that are becoming a priority for federal, state, and local governments.
Here’s a short review of the report’s educational trends.
The Shift to Online Learning
The COVID-19 outbreak accelerated the shift to digital learning and brought in new hybrid and distance learning methodologies. Both federal and state government entities worked to make the transition as painless as possible.
The US Department of Education produced a Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide to promote best practices on how to utilize digital technology.
In the meanwhile, state education authorities collaborated with educational technology suppliers to develop new integrated digital learning systems. The South Carolina Department of Education, for example, partnered with Discovery Education to provide standards-aligned content and ready-to-use digital courses to students and educators.
A Push for More Computer Science
Simba Information also cited a growth in the number of initiatives (together with additional financing) aimed at encouraging students to take computer science courses in order to help them prepare for in-demand technology and engineering jobs.
While the US Department of Education has provided funding to promote STEM education, including computer science, state and local governments have been the driving force behind computer science education. In 2020, 28 states adopted 42 initiatives to promote computer science education, according to Code.org.
A Strong Emphasis on School Climate
Many school districts also want to provide a safe, pleasant learning environment that prevents bullying and emotional discomfort, which has become increasingly more critical in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic’s rising stress and depression levels.
Efforts to improve school climate include requirements for character development or social and emotional learning, mental health diagnosis and referral services, and the collection of school climate survey data from students.
Growing Interest in Career and Technical Education
There is a rising demand to offer more professional and technical education (CTE) options for students. Many statewide efforts to promote vocational and technical education include the following elements:
- Counseling is offered, as well as exposure to CTE disciplines.
- Keeping monitoring of the needs for industrial and skilled workforce
- Increasing the number of opportunities for CTE educators to engage in professional development
- Dual enrollment programs are available at both community and four-year colleges.
Rising Support for School Choice
In recent years, charter schools have become the most prominent alternative to traditional public schools.
Since the outbreak prompted school closures throughout the nation, there has been a surge in public support for school choice. In the first two months of 2021, new school choice legislation was introduced in more than 15 states, according to Simba Information.
Adapting to a Changing Market and Planning for the Future
By examining these diverse patterns and how they play out across different locations and states, educational publishers, education technology businesses, and other service providers may be able to uncover new opportunities to grow and better meet the needs of K-12 students and instructors.
Where can I learn more?
For additional information on current changes in elementary and secondary education funding and policy, see Simba Information’s whole research PreK-12 Policy & Budget Outlook, 2021-2022.
Simba’s information
Since 1989, Simba Information has been considered the leading source of market intelligence in the education and professional publishing industries. Our experts give you with critical analysis based on years of field experience and high-quality data few industry insiders have access to.
