Back-to-school season is upon us once again, bringing with it a mix of excitement and anticipation for the new academic year. As educators, stakeholders, and industry experts gear up for the 2024-2025 school year, there are a myriad of trends and predictions shaping the landscape of education. From incorporating cutting-edge technologies to focusing on career-connected learning, the upcoming year is poised to be one of innovation and transformation in the field of education.
**Prioritizing People in Clean Energy Education**
Michael Arquin, Founder of KidWind, emphasizes the importance of inspiring educators to impact students in the clean energy education space. He highlights the critical role of high-quality teachers in moving towards a clean energy economy and supporting students on their pathways to success in this growing sector of the U.S. economy.
**Embracing Artificial Intelligence in Teaching and Learning**
David Baker, Professional Development Coordinator at St. Vrain Valley School District, sheds light on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. He discusses how teachers can leverage AI tools for collaboration, reflection, and personalized coaching to enhance their instructional practices and support student learning.
**Focus on Career-Connected Learning**
Edson Barton, CEO of YouScience, underscores the importance of career-connected learning in preparing high school graduates for the demands of the job market. He emphasizes the need for educators to align students’ educational experiences with future career pathways to ensure their success in college and beyond.
**Managing Conflict and Promoting Student Success**
Richard Birke, Chief Architect of JAMS Pathways, addresses the challenges of staff shortages, teacher burnout, and political tensions in schools. He emphasizes the importance of conflict management skills and maintaining a focus on student success amidst stress-inducing issues.
**Advancing the Science of Reading**
Dr. Carolyn Brown, Chief Academic Officer and Co-Founder of Foundations in Learning, highlights the momentum behind the Science of Reading in transforming reading instruction, particularly in foundational skills for Grades K-3. She emphasizes the importance of identifying and addressing gaps in foundational skills to promote fluency and comprehension in students.
**Bridge Gaps Between School and Home**
Jacob Bruno, SVP of Professional Learning at NWEA, discusses the need to bridge gaps between academic performance and parental perceptions in schools. He emphasizes the importance of making data accessible and actionable for parents to support their children’s academic progress effectively.
**Educating the Whole Child**
Dr. Shari L. Camhi, Superintendent of Schools at Baldwin School District, emphasizes the need to focus on educating the “whole child” by providing comprehensive support services and industry partnerships to help students succeed in school and beyond. She highlights the importance of empowering educators through innovative professional development opportunities.
**Innovations in Instructional Technology**
Jessica Campos, Instructional Technology Coach at Mesquite Independent School District, explores the emerging trends in instructional technology, particularly the integration of artificial intelligence and augmented reality. She discusses how AI and AR tools are revolutionizing teaching practices and student engagement in the classroom.
**Elevating EdTech Evidence and Effectiveness**
Auditi Chakravarty, CEO of Advanced Education Research and Development Fund, emphasizes the need for districts to raise the bar on edtech evidence and effectiveness. She discusses the importance of evaluating the impact of education technology solutions and investing in evidence-based practices to support student learning.
**Enhancing Parent Engagement and Academic Recovery**
Ryan Lufkin, Vice President of Global Strategy at Instructure, highlights the importance of engaging parents in academic recovery efforts and promoting AI literacy in education. He discusses the transformative potential of Generative AI in elevating student success and preparing them for the future of learning and work.
**Promoting Mental Well-Being in the Virtual Classroom**
Nhon Ma, CEO of Numerade, offers strategies for supporting student mental well-being in the virtual classroom. From encouraging balanced routines to promoting mindfulness and physical activity, he emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment that prioritizes mental health alongside academic success.
**Utilizing AI for School Safety**
Peter Evans, CEO of Xtract One Technologies, discusses the growing interest in AI-powered weapons detection systems in schools. He highlights the potential of AI to enhance school safety without compromising the learning environment, emphasizing the need for careful planning and community involvement in implementing these technologies.
**Empowering Students with Coding Education**
Bill Marsland, Director of Education and Training at Code Ninjas, underscores the importance of coding education as a new literacy in the digital age. He emphasizes the value of teaching students to code to unlock future career opportunities and develop essential problem-solving skills in today’s technology-centered world.
**Addressing the Needs of Students with Disabilities**
Roland Mattern, Director of Sales and Marketing at eSight, discusses the importance of meeting the needs of students with disabilities through assistive technology innovations. He highlights the role of schools in ensuring students, parents, and educators are trained to use assistive devices effectively, fostering a more inclusive and supportive learning environment.
**Enhancing Data Accessibility for Academic Success**
Russ Davis, CEO and Founder of SchoolStatus, emphasizes the importance of using data to support academic success and address challenges like absenteeism in schools. He discusses the value of providing families with insights beyond traditional grades and test scores to foster a transparent and supportive environment for student success.
**Prioritizing Cybersecurity in Schools**
Helen Patton, Cybersecurity Executive Advisor at Cisco, highlights the critical need for cybersecurity preparedness in K-12 schools. She discusses best practices for protecting digital identities on public Wi-Fi networks and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a secure and vigilant approach to cybersecurity in educational settings.
**Ensuring Fire Safety and Accessibility in Schools**
Paul Timm, PSP, Director of Education Safety at Allegion, addresses the importance of maintaining fire safety, egress, and accessibility codes in schools. He emphasizes the need for schools to adhere to ADA compliance, fire protection, and egress regulations to enhance safety and inclusivity in educational facilities.
**Incorporating Career Exploration and Employability Skills**
Ian Zhu, CEO and Founder of SchoolJoy, discusses the need for integrating career exploration and employability skills into core academic subjects to prepare students for the evolving job market. He emphasizes the importance of developing students’ career adaptability skills and future time perspective to ensure their readiness for the workforce.
**Advancing STEM and STEAM Education**
Bobby Torres, Chief Relationship Officer at 302 Interactive, highlights the increasing importance of STEM and STEAM education in preparing students for future careers in technology-driven industries. He discusses the transformative impact of technologies like AI, drones, 3D printing, and virtual reality on student learning and engagement in STEM fields.
**Promoting Interpersonal Skills and Hands-On Activities**
Josh Underwood, Physics and Aviation Teacher at Mason County High School, looks ahead to a shift towards teaching interpersonal skills and incorporating more hands-on activities in education. He emphasizes the value of practical, collaborative experiences like building powered paper airplanes to enhance student engagement and learning in STEM subjects.
**Enhancing Science Education with Probeware**
Diane M. Vrobel, Ed. D., Science Teacher at Archbishop Hoban High School, discusses the benefits of integrating probeware into STEM classrooms to enrich student learning. She highlights the practical applications of probeware in conducting experiments and collecting real-time data to enhance scientific skills and engagement in science education.
**Implementing Career Exploration and Employability Skills**
Kara Stern, PhD, Director of Education and Engagement at SchoolStatus, emphasizes the importance of incorporating career exploration and employability skills into education to prepare students for future success. She highlights the need for schools to focus on developing students’ career adaptability and workplace competencies alongside traditional academic knowledge.
**Embracing Innovation and Flexibility in Education**
Jonah M. Schenker, Ed.D., District Superintendent at Ulster BOCES, looks towards the future of education with a focus on innovation, flexibility, and student-centered learning. He discusses the evolving trends in education, from career exploration to interpersonal skills, and emphasizes the importance of creating engaging and relevant learning experiences for students.
**Adopting Best Practices for Device Distribution**
Emily Stapf, Customer Success Manager at Incident IQ, provides best practices for preparing and distributing devices in schools at the start of the academic year. From creating a comprehensive plan to ensuring device agreements and communication with students and parents, she emphasizes the importance of efficient device management for student success.
**Promoting Playful Math Education**
Brandon Smith, Lead Mathematician and Product Director at MIND Education, advocates for a playful and engaging approach to math education. He highlights the value of incorporating creative problem-solving and authentic learning experiences in the math classroom to foster deep understanding, critical thinking, and joyful learning for students.
In conclusion, the 2024-2025 school year is set to be a time of transformation and innovation in education, with a focus on leveraging technology, promoting career readiness, supporting mental well-being, enhancing cybersecurity, and fostering inclusive and engaging learning environments for all students. By embracing these trends and best practices, educators can prepare students for success in a rapidly evolving world and empower them to thrive in the future.
