What’s driving conversation today in education? From the local school board meetings to the parent-teacher conferences, we know educators get a lot of feedback. Regardless of what is trending, listening to learning communities is a core focus at Discovery Education, as we know it is for education leaders. Our new report based on surveys from over 1,500 superintendents, teachers, parents, and students underscores our core focus, and we can’t wait to share the results with you.
The Education Insights Report by Discovery Education, created in partnership with The Harris Poll, pinpoints three game-changing opportunities to shaping the future of education:
- Prioritize student motivation and engagement by focusing on what makes them curious
- Integrate life and workforce readiness into the everyday classroom
- Embrace innovative supports to meet the needs of today’s teachers and students
It also serves as a roadmap for transforming education as we know it. Here are my key takeaways from this revealing report, and why, at Discovery Education, we are more confident than ever about the future of education.
Curious Minds, Engaged Students
Curiosity is the engine of learning. By focusing on keeping students curious, we keep them engaged in active learning. Even though most educators agree on the importance of curiosity, many feel that it’s difficult to prioritize alongside other pressures. At Discovery Education, we believe that by nurturing students’ interests through tools including student-led learning, exciting multimedia content, and hands-on activities, teachers can simultaneously instruct and inspire students to think critically, make meaningful connections, and achieve ambitious learning goals.
Prepping for Life, Not Just Exams
The classroom experience needs to go beyond textbooks to prepare students for what comes after school—to show the connection between what we’re teaching and why it matters. Yet less than two-thirds of students feel their schools are preparing them for future workforces. While we’ve long delivered solutions for building students’ interpersonal skills, we recently launched Career Connect, a new tool to bring professional voices into the classroom and ensure students are ready for whatever path they choose to take after graduation.
A Call for Individualized Learning Support
of teachers see a wider variation of knowledge and skills among students compared to five years ago.
Our research found that two-thirds of teachers (66%) observe a wider variation of knowledge and skills among their students compared to five years ago. They’re hungry for support that will help them tailor instruction and build their own confidence as educators. We believe teachers need tools that can help them reach each student individually, without putting more work on their plates. We hear every day from our partners that our DreamBox solutions for math and reading increase learning, motivation, and confidence through AI-powered adaptive learning paths unique to each student.
Keep the Conversation Going
As a former superintendent and principal, I believe that all progress begins with knowledge and understanding. We hope the sentiments uncovered by our Education Insights report will lead to productive dialogue and collaboration across K-12 communities at every level. I’m energized by the passion, dedication, and motivation expressed by every group we surveyed. It’s that commitment to learning growth and achievement that leaves me deeply confident about the opportunity for today’s education leaders to solve the challenges ahead. The Discovery Education team will be there every step of the way.
Let’s keep the conversation going. Join us on October 24 for a Virtual Town Hall to dive into this report with other education leaders. We’ll meet for an interactive session to share reflections, ideas, and leave feeling inspired.
