Here are five of the most important education trends for 2025.
1. School models that are not traditional
The world has changed dramatically in the last decade. Career opportunities, technology and the environment have all evolved. Yet, the traditional public school model has been largely unchanged for generations. Many students are bored by the industrial school model that persists.
Many families decided that it was time for their children to switch to nontraditional learning environments when the COVID-19 outbreak caused school closures in 2020. Over 1 million students, or one student in every class across the nation, have left traditional classrooms to pursue alternative educational methods and innovative learning environments since 2019. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, public schools, including public charters, will lose 2.4 million additional students by 2031.
Students today want more personalized learning methods that allow them to explore their passions and collaborate more with their peers. In 2025, we will see more nontraditional school models that emphasize student engagement, creativity, and collaboration. These models will also prepare students to enter a constantly evolving workplace.
These emerging nontraditional educational models include micro-schools and online and hybrid learning, project-based schools and student-led schools. They also include long-established nontraditional programs like homeschooling and Montessori, as well as career and technical education and career-focused schools. We also expect that in 2025, public schools will adopt innovative approaches to meet students’ diverse needs, mirroring elements of nontraditional school models to increase enrollment, improve engagement and provide students with career-ready skills.
2. AI expanded in education
Artificial intelligence (AI), as we predicted last summer, has taken over the educational sector. This emerging technology is showing no signs of slowing down its rapid growth, even though we are now approaching 2025. We expect that the conversation about AI will shift this year to reflect a wider acceptance of AI as a tool for enhancing education and productivity.
By 2025, schools will continue to incorporate more AI in their curriculum and guide students on how to use it to enhance learning. Many districts and schools have developed AI school policies and modified student codes of conduct to ensure the safe, ethical, and effective use of AI tools.
Many educators are also incorporating AI tools into lesson plans to familiarize students with the technology. By introducing students to AI in a controlled and safe environment, they can learn to use AI ethically and effectively. Students who have a solid foundation in AI are already considered to be well-prepared for college or careers.
We expect that, because AI is still a relatively new technology, it will be implemented in more schools this year. This will allow teachers to provide more effective AI training. Some schools have also begun to use AI tools to increase administrative productivity. This will require guidance and training to ensure that educators and staff are able to integrate these tools into their work successfully.
3. Support for teachers who need it
In the last five years, districts have focused their efforts on allocating funding for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funding (ESSER). This money was used to implement educational programs, improve student wellbeing, and combat learning loss. After the final ESSER date has passed, districts and schools will shift their focus to targeted support for educators in 2025.
Professional development is crucial to the successful implementation of all the recent enhancements, including new technology, updated learning spaces and updated curriculum, that districts have introduced. By 2025, new professional development programs will be implemented in schools that empower educators to create engaged learners. Schools can improve teacher productivity by providing them with the resources and tools they need. They will also help them achieve their professional goals.
Teachers are the main influencers in the K-12 education experience. Supporting educators is a holistic approach which benefits the whole school community. Schools will use new strategies and tools to help teachers be more effective and feel better. Some schools even use AI-powered technology to automate repetitive administrative tasks and free up time for teachers to focus on students.
In addition, districts are beginning to realize the importance of maintaining a good work-life balance as a number of teachers have quit the teaching profession in the last few years. Districts will continue to look for ways to make the teaching experience more enjoyable in 2025. Teachers are looking for solutions to student behaviour issues, more attentive leadership teams and more manageable workloads. Teachers will continue to work with schools to improve these issues while still maintaining the aspects that teachers value most. These include school culture, professional learning opportunities and certifications, STEM and art programs, and school culture.
Focus on culture in schools and districts.
Students and their parents are looking for learning environments with high-quality resources and curricula that also reflect their values and prioritize communication between school and home. In an increasingly competitive enrollment market, schools that cultivate a positive school culture and a connected community stand out.
The number of students in each school is directly related to funding and resources, so cultivating a welcoming school culture is essential. Schools and districts will spend time in 2025 refining their school brands to attract and retain students. School leaders will create more opportunities for students and their families to interact by implementing new communication tools, initiatives and events.
During the last few years, K-12 administrators have been piloting mobile teaching stations in order to increase their visibility as well as their daily impact within their schools. In 2025, we expect more school leaders to adopt this approach. This will allow them to develop stronger relationships with teachers and students. Administrators can engage directly with staff and students by working from mobile workstations. They are able to make daily connections. Positive interactions with school leaders help teachers, students, and their families stay connected with the school, encouraging a culture that promotes connection and support.
5. Universal Design for Learning
Students today have more options than ever about where and how they want to study. The Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which promotes learning among diverse student populations, gives each student the opportunity to access resources and environments designed to help them. Schools are recognizing that accessibility goes beyond ADA compliance and are implementing UDL throughout the learning process. Understanding the needs of diverse students is essential for creating inclusive and supportive learning experiences.
UDL will be the driving force behind creating engaging and comfortable learning environments in 2025 that cater to all students’ requirements. More schools are creating sensory spaces to ensure neurodiverse students have a relaxed and safe space for self-regulation throughout the day. These spaces are not just for neurodivergent learners. All students can benefit from areas in school dedicated to wellbeing.
In 2025, accessibility and equity will remain prominent topics, as in the past, but the discussion will shift to how UDL can positively influence the curriculum. UDL encourages students to engage in multiple flexible engagements, learn information in different ways, and demonstrate their understanding through various methods. This practice not only benefits students who are neurodivergent or have learning challenges but also enhances the experience of neurotypical students.
