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Educators continue to face post-pandemic challenges as they prepare for and begin the upcoming school year. As a trusted partner to thousands of public school districts, we recognize these challenges and are dedicated to supporting educators every step of the way.

Through our ongoing partnerships, we have identified the following edtech trends that are shaping the future of education. By understanding and acting on these trends, district leaders can empower their teachers and students to thrive in a constantly changing world.

Secondary Education is Evolving

Secondary education in the United States is at a pivotal point, with opportunities for transformative growth and improvement in the 21st century. 

One important area of focus for districts is chronic absenteeism, which is missing 10% or more of school days in a given academic year. Although the are multifaceted—ranging from disrupted routines and shifting attitudes toward school attendance to economic challenges like poverty and transportation issues—there is promising progress.

Many states have seen improvements in absenteeism rates since the height of the pandemic, signaling a positive trend toward re-engaging students.

Additionally, higher education institutions are reimagining their approach to increasing enrollments, as students explore alternatives to the traditional four-year degree as costs rise and student loan concerns continue.

In response, a growing number of states are implementing "portrait of a graduate" initiatives within their K-12 schools. 

These programs are redefining what it means to be prepared for life after high school, focusing not only on academic achievement but also on essential skills such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and adaptability—competencies that are vital for success in higher education and the workforce.

Trend #1: Schools Are Using Career Technical Education to Increase Student Engagement 

Career and Technical Education (CTE) is experiencing a resurgence in popularity across schools and districts nationwide. This renewed interest stems from a growing recognition of CTE's ability to prepare students for an ever-changing job market and address the shortcomings of traditional education. Some benefits of CTE programs include:

• Real-World Skills: CTE programs provide students with hands-on experience and practical skills directly applicable to various industries. of students who take part in CTE programs pursue higher education after graduating from high school, demonstrating that these programs serve as a stepping stone to further education and career advancement. 
• Improved Graduation Rates: CTE learners have a 10% higher high school graduation rate compared to non-CTE students. This improvement is large attributed to the hands-on, real-world applications that CTE provides, making learning more relevant and engaging for students. 
• Career Exploration: CTE offers students the opportunity to explore real career paths before committing to a specific field of study in college or an industry in the workforce. This exposure can help students make more informed decisions, leading to more stability in their future. 
• Industry Credentials: Many CTE programs offer students the chance to earn industry-recognized credentials and certifications, giving them a competitive edge in the job market right out of high school.

District leaders should design their CTE programs to offer a diverse range of courses and experiences aligned to state standards. Doing so allows students to develop essential skills and competencies, whether they plan to attend college, enter the workforce, or enlist in the military after graduation.

Educators Will Focus on Systemwide Academic Interventions

from a joint Harvard and Stanford study shows that students across the United States have made notable progress in recovering from pandemic-related learning losses in math and reading. However, suggest that most children still need an additional 4.5 months of math instruction and 4.1 months of reading instruction to fully return to pre-COVID levels.

While only have reached pre-pandemic learning levels, the overall gains made nationwide are encouraging. Thomas Kane, one of the authors of the Harvard and Stanford study, offered valuable insights this past spring on how administrators can continue to across communities.

He recommended that district leaders strategically allocate remaining ESSER funds to support intervention strategies such as tutoring, instructional coaches, summer learning, and after-school programs.

Trend #2: Districts Are Looking to Scale Up Tutoring 

Although research on tutoring in the United States is still developing, data suggests that schools nationwide are increasingly integrating tutoring into their intervention strategies. This reflects a strong commitment to providing students with personalized learning support to help them reach their educational goals.

A survey of 1,000 schools by the showed that over 80 percent offered at least one version of tutoring, ranging from traditional after-school homework help to intensive tutoring. High-dosage tutoring is becoming a popular choice as it’s an evidence-based approach to speeding up learning, and are receiving this service.

High dosage tutoring implementation also varies between schools and grade levels. The showed that this intensive type of tutoring was concentrated in elementary schools, with 45 percent of elementary schools surveyed offering it versus 26 percent of middle and high schools surveyed. 

Many schools are actively working toward scaling up tutoring across all subjects. While some schools face capacity challenges—about one-third report limited ability to provide high-dosage tutoring to all students, and 20 percent struggle to offer any form of tutoring—they remain focused on finding solutions to expand these valuable services.

Despite challenges such as scheduling limitations that may reduce the number of tutoring sessions, schools are committed to maximizing the impact of these programs. Edtech companies are also playing a crucial role, developing solutions that can be seamlessly integrated into the instructional day, further supporting the expansion of tutoring and enhancing student outcomes.

Designing Effective Systemwide Interventions

Districts and schools should consider investing in the following program elements, whether they are building, maintaining, or upgrading their intervention programs.

• Standards Mastery & Formative Assessment: Use year-round teaching tools that reinforce learning with practice and formative assessment, leading students to standards mastery.
• Concept Recovery & Course Acceleration: Provide opportunities to address course- and test-specific knowledge gaps through tutoring solutions.
• Targeted Intervention: Use data-powered instructional tools that support and strengthen RTI and MTSS. 
• Virtual Intervention & Tutoring: Reach more students and increase instructional capacity by implementing virtual and online tutoring solutions. 

Addressing learning loss has evolved from a short-term challenge into a valuable long-term investment in the future of education. Implementing intervention programs that incorporate the above elements is a step towards increasing educational equity and closing learning gaps more swiftly.

Teacher Retention Remains a Priority 

During the 2023-24 school year, districts nationwide focused on improving teacher retention, recognizing the unique challenges faced by districts of all sizes. While smaller districts feel a more significant impact due to budget constraints, this also provides opportunities for resourceful ways to better support educators.

Although some educators took on additional responsibilities and students experienced changes in educational offerings, district leaders are working tirelessly to address these challenges. By proactively addressing concerns such as the end of ESSER funding, non-competitive teacher salaries, and shifts in student enrollment, districts will look to innovative solutions that increase retention and enhance learning experiences.

The increase in virtual learning solutions, reallocating ESSER funds, and reworking curriculum structure can help meet these teacher retention goals. 

Overcoming Teacher Shortages

The teacher shortage results from a variety of factors, including decreasing interest in the profession, more teachers retiring, and higher wages elsewhere enticing teachers to leave. As the 2024-25 school year begins, there are opportunities to address and this trend by implementing thoughtful solutions.

While the conclusion of ESSER funding may raise concerns for some districts, it also presents a chance to innovate. Districts can strategically use their remaining funds by investing in multi-year contracts, professional development, learning technologies, and summer school programs to enhance teacher retention and engagement.

In addition to ESSER funding, districts can convince educators to return to the classroom by offering opportunities within teaching that are in line with other industries. This could include adding real-world experiences to the curriculum to maintain student interest, increasing engagement through a positive school culture that offers proper support and resources, prioritizing flexibility, and a respect for work-life balance. 

These proactive steps not only make teaching a more desirable career but also create a supportive learning community where students and educators can succeed. 

Trend #3: Virtual Learning ̽»¨ÏµÁÐ Can Help Address Teacher Shortages

One promising approach to the teacher shortage is to integrate more virtual learning solutions. The usage of virtual learning tools increased significantly during the pandemic and has become an accepted way of learning for many students. 

Virtual learning offers several benefits for educators:

• Reduce class sizes 
• Meet individual students’ specific needs in ways traditional schooling might not
• Provide cost-effective, flexible working options for educators, such as the opportunity to do remote work and/or work part-time, keeping a sense of flexibility and control 

Additionally, virtual learning solutions can improve teacher efficiency by streamlining administrative tasks such as grading, attendance tracking, and communication with parents, in turn allowing for more instruction during the day.

Your Partner in Education

As chronic absenteeism, learning loss, and teacher shortages remain top of mind for educators across the country, Edmentum will continue to find new ways to engage students, enhance learning outcomes, and support teachers through our education technologies.

Become an effective educator by visiting our Toolkits, which have impactful resources that address the challenges your district faces.