There are fewer pages to turn in the 2024 calendar, and as we head into 2025, the Discovery Education team has identified key trends that will shape how students learn, how teachers teach, and how administrators make decisions. These insights aren’t just predictions—they’re paired with actionable insights to help create impactful learning in the new year.
3 Education Trends to Watch in 2025
1. Engaging Student Interest Will Emerge as Top Tool to Combat Absenteeism and Learning Loss
2024 was full of conversations on keeping students engaged in learning and, in 2025, a focus on student engagement will continue to be a top priority.
In Discovery Education’s 2024 Education Insights Report, 15% of parents stated lack of interest or motivation for learning is a primary reason for student absences, second only to health-related issues. Chronic student absenteeism is a national issue, and as the challenge to keep learners attentive and invested continues to intensify in 2025, districts will focus on investing in engagement-focused solutions to empower teachers to build lessons that leave students curious and inspired.
Throughout the next year, gamified learning platforms, interactive digital assets, Augmented and Virtual Reality technology, and immersive learning experiences are expected to take center stage. These tools are capable of capturing and holding students’ attention while promoting deeper learning outcomes.
Gamified learning platforms, interactive digital assets, and immersive learning experiences are expected to take center stage in 2025. These tools will help educators build unique learning experiences that capture and hold students’ attention while promoting deeper learning outcomes.
2. Revisiting Future Readiness
In our 2024 Education Insights survey, 80% of students reported that they believe content that connects to real-world experiences is important for long-term success and day-to-day learning. In 2025,
This continued desire for career exploration will cause the line between core instructional materials and supplemental resources to continue to blur—and for good reason. Educators and policy leaders are now leveraging resources that focus more on career exploration and building future-ready skills. Supplemental resources are being introduced to bridge the gaps in students’ different learning journeys, offer tailored materials to better differentiate instruction, create interest-based lessons, and keep students engaged in the overall learning process.
3. Prioritizing Personalized Learning to Meet All Students’ Needs
Our 2024 Education Insights Report shows that two-thirds of teachers feel that students exhibit a wider range in knowledge and skills compared to five years ago, reflecting persistent learning loss among many students. Additionally, 81% of teachers find navigating these varied skill levels challenging. These skill level differences have created a larger need for personalization tools to address each student’s needs in real time. Educators will continue to seek out solutions that focus on reading and math intervention and acceleration by meeting learners where they are, differentiate instruction, allow self-paced learning, and integrate scalable best practices. Educators can prepare by exploring platforms and tools that emphasize personalization and by developing strategies to incorporate them effectively in their classrooms.
What This Means for Education Leaders
2025 is set to be another game-changing year for education with exciting opportunities for educators and leaders to adapt, innovate, and positively impact all students.
For district and state administrators, the upcoming challenge lies in prioritizing investments that maximize outcomes while aligning with your school system’s unique needs. Focusing on engagement, personalization, and mindful technology integration can ensure students and teachers thrive together throughout 2025.
