Back to school is around the corner…what are the hottest trends?
In our world, for a trend to be “hot,” it’s not about fashion labels and fidget spinners—it’s about school safety, technology, ending gun violence, etc.
So, for this back-to-school season, what should K-12 communities be most aware of?
Look no further than Gartner’s compelling research report, “Top Trends in K-12 Education for 2024.”
The biggest hot-button topic: technology.
In today’s educational environment, K-12 administrators, faculty, and staff can use tech to:
- Strengthen school operations
- Support student progression
- Secure school environments
The report includes these issues and much more—and it doesn’t just cover what’s happening, but also solid actions to take.
It’s a clarion call for all education CIOs, administrators, and leaders.
Here’s a look at some highlights…or, you can jump to the full report here.
What’s Affecting U.S. Schools?
Schools face a number of pressing issues, and whether or not they’ve been equipped to deal with them is another question entirely.
Teacher Availability and Appropriateness
The K-12 education system faces a critical challenge: a growing shortage of qualified teachers.
The pandemic significantly worsened long standing issues like low pay, high stress, and a shrinking talent pool—leading some states to consider lowering certification standards or hiring under qualified staff as a quick fix. But this approach could have detrimental consequences.
Learn more about the heavy implications and suggested actions.
Ransomware
Imagine a digital kidnapper. That’s ransomware.
Hackers lock down your important files, making them unusable (encryption), and might even steal them (exfiltration). They’ll only unlock them or keep them quiet if you pay a ransom.
Ransomware is on the rise in a big way.
A U.S. Government Accountability Office report states that K-12 districts impacted by ransomware attacks can expect a learning loss of three days to three weeks.
What to do? Read the report.
Automation
Imagine a classroom where technology streamlines tasks, personalizes learning, and empowers teachers and students. This is the promise of automation in K-12 education.
Learn more about education automation and why it’s trending now.
Learning Insights —Gapalytics and Recognition
- Gapalytics tackles learning gaps—a must for post-pandemic recovery and ensuring students are college or career-ready.
- Recognition with digital badges and certificates showcases K-12 students’ academic and practical achievements. This, paired with gapalytics’ gap identification, builds a personalized learning portfolio for growth.
Why are they trending? Because, according to Gartner’s report, 93% of teachers, parents, and nonstudents express dissatisfaction with high schools’ preparation for college or the workforce.
Secure School Environment
School safety has always been a top priority, but recent events have heightened awareness of the need for effective security measures.
While this is crucial, it’s important to strike a balance and ensure a secure learning environment doesn’t come at the expense of a positive educational experience.
In the Gartner report, you’ll learn that the overwhelming majority (65%) of school shootings in the last year were at K-12 schools, plus how incidents like the
Parkland and Uvalde shootings have led to new laws and billions in school safety funds.
See Funding Types Available for Your Campus
The Expanding Role of Educators
Today’s educators wear many hats. Beyond curriculum development and classroom instruction, they now face the added responsibility of learning and implementing security protocols. This includes:
- Lockdown drills
- Emergency responder coordination
- Operating security technology systems
This extra burden can take a toll on already-stretched educators.
Shifting School Culture
The increased focus on security is changing the atmosphere in schools. Video monitoring, metal detectors, bulletproof gear, locked doors, and a heightened security officer presence are becoming commonplace.
While perhaps necessary, the culture is shifting toward a fortress perspective coupled with a persistent indication of imminent danger.
What to do? Check out Gartner’s suggestions for balanced school security.
Bad Actors Can’t See ZeroEyes…But We See Them
Your staff is spread thin and can’t possibly monitor all of your cameras all of the time.
Think of ZeroEyes as an extension of your security team, monitoring your cameras day and night, 24/7/365, for the threat of a brandished gun within camera views.
AI-powered gun detection solution layers onto your existing security cameras, detects brandished firearms, and dispatches human-verified alerts—typically within 3–5 seconds.
Our security experts work hand-in-hand with your school boards, superintendents, school resource officers, and local law enforcement to implement the best AI-powered, human-verified gun detection.
From your parking lots to your entrances, exits, hallways, stairwells, and other areas your security cameras monitor, we’ve got you covered.
Protect your people: schedule a ZeroEyes call and live demonstration.
By working together, we can ensure schools are safe spaces where students can thrive.
2024 Education Trends: The Bottom Line
K-12 is at a tipping point…
The education system grapples with a rapidly evolving world, lingering pandemic effects, bad actors, and the ever-present need to educate.
Can it adapt while staying true to its core mission?
Be sure to read the full Gartner report for the complete picture—and learn what you can do about it at your schools.
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