There are many factors influencing K-12 education. Some of them are related to technology, staffing shortages, and social-emotional learning. Read on to discover how these trends will affect K-12 education in the years to come. Listed below are some of the biggest changes that are affecting K-12 education today. These trends are a major source of uncertainty for educators and will be of interest to everyone.

Technology

As technology continues to make its way into schools, educators are already implementing new ways to engage students. In addition to implementing new classroom technology, many educators are also utilizing podcasts, videos, and the gaming industry in their teaching. Teachers and schools are increasingly turning to e-learning as a cost-effective way to create customized learning environments for their students. Even small tasks can become more engaging with the use of technology, which can make it easier to track student contributions and analyze group collective effort.

While 85% of the network traffic associated with remote learning is attributed to video streaming, many school districts are not meeting the FCC's recommended bandwidth per student. A recent census by the Census Bureau reveals that 44 million households with children in public or private schools lack access to computers for educational use. In addition, nearly nine million households do not have Internet access for their children, making a 1:1 notebook/laptop solution vital for supporting a rapidly changing learning environment.

Staffing shortages

The current COVID pandemic is wreaking havoc on the teamwork of public schools across the country. Schools lack substitute teachers to fill in when teachers are absent. Bus drivers and paraprofessionals are also in short supply, and they are unable to adequately support struggling students. Bus drivers in particular are also aging and cannot meet the demand for school transportation. The results of this study point to the need for long-term solutions.

In 2016, the number of school closings in the United States rose to an all-time high. In addition to Baltimore County, Md., there were school closings in Newark, N.J., Milwaukee, and Detroit. One school district closed because of a shortage of teachers. Other districts faced staff shortages, such as Summit County, N.J., faced staffing shortages in 2022.

Adaptive learning solutions

Today, educators are realizing that a one-size-fits-all approach to education no longer makes sense. With student populations growing more diverse in terms of culture, geography, economic background, and learning styles, traditional approaches have failed to meet the needs of students. Now students can safely ask to write my philosophy paper, and it will be perceived as normal. With this in mind, educators are turning to adaptive learning solutions. They can personalize learning experiences and provide teachers with the information they need to improve student outcomes.

Curriculum Associates: DreamBox is a leading education technology company and pioneer of intelligent adaptive learning. Their latest technology, Lesson Highlights, provides teachers with unprecedented transparency into how students are progressing and where they need additional help. Their online K-8 lessons are powered by i-Ready diagnostics to determine students' learning needs and provide personalized, targeted support. These solutions are already used in a variety of settings across K-12 education.

Social-emotional learning

In 2022, there will be more emphasis on social-emotional learning (SEL) than ever before. The goal is to teach students life skills spanning bias, identity, and mental health. According to Tia Kim, vice president of education research at the Committee for Children, which developed the Second Step curriculum, school districts are focusing more on mental health and wellness than ever before. For example, schools are integrating SEL into traditional classroom instruction and morning meetings.

The 2022 academic year was slated to be a time for healing and rebounding from a turbulent year in the world. With the COVID-19 pandemic, social unrest, and virtual learning, school districts are trying to navigate choppy waters while still providing essential resources for student success. The importance of social-emotional learning in K-12 education cannot be overstated.