This press launch initially appeared on-line.
Key factors:
Whereas there may be large settlement that pupil engagement performs a significant position in studying, educators proceed to face uncertainty about what engagement appears to be like like, how finest to measure it, and easy methods to maintain it, based on a brand new examine from Discovery Schooling.
Schooling Insights 2025–2026: Fueling Studying By way of Engagement captures prevailing attitudes and beliefs on the subject of engagement from 1,398 superintendents, academics, dad and mom, and college students from throughout america. Survey information was collected in Might 2025 by Hanover Analysis on behalf of Discovery Schooling.
“Discovery Schooling performed the Schooling Insights report to achieve a deeper understanding of how engagement is outlined, noticed, and nurtured in Okay-12 school rooms nationwide, and we’re grateful to the members who shared their views and insights with us,” mentioned Brian Shaw, Discovery Schooling’s Chief Govt Officer. “One of the vital vital findings of this report is that engagement is seen as important to studying, however is inconsistently outlined, noticed, and supported in Okay-12 school rooms. I consider this highlights the necessity for a extra standardized strategy to measuring pupil engagement and connecting it to educational achievement. Discovery Schooling has launched into an effort to deal with these challenges, and we look ahead to sharing extra as our work progresses.”
Key findings of the Schooling Insights 2025–2026: Fueling Studying By way of Engagement report embody:
Engagement is broadly acknowledged as a key driver of studying and success. Ninety-three p.c of educators surveyed agreed that pupil engagement is a essential metric for understanding total achievement, and 99 p.c of superintendents polled consider pupil engagement is among the prime predictors of success in school. Lastly, 92 p.c of scholars mentioned that partaking classes make college extra gratifying.
However educators disagree on the highest indicators of engagement. Seventy-two p.c of academics rated asking considerate questions because the strongest indicator of pupil engagement. Nonetheless, 54 p.c of superintendents recognized performing nicely on assessments as a prime engagement indicator. That is almost twice as excessive as academics, who rank assessments among the many lowest indicators of engagement.
Faculty leaders and academics disagree on if their faculties have techniques for measuring engagement. Whereas 99 p.c of superintendents and 88 p.c of principals mentioned their district has an intentional strategy for measuring engagement, solely 60 p.c of academics agreed. Additional, almost one-third of academics mentioned {that a} lack of clear, shared definitions of pupil engagement is a prime problem to measuring engagement successfully.
Educators and college students differ on their perceptions of engagement ranges. Whereas 63 p.c of scholars agreed with the assertion “College students are extremely engaged in class,” solely 45 p.c of academics and 51 p.c of principals surveyed agreed with the identical assertion.
College students price their very own engagement a lot larger than their friends. Seventy p.c of elementary college students perceived themselves as engaged, however solely 42 p.c perceived their friends as engaged. Fifty-nine p.c of center college college students perceived themselves engaged in studying, however solely 36 p.c perceived their friends as engaged. Lastly, 61 p.c of highschool college students perceived themselves as engaged, however solely 39 p.c described their friends as engaged.
Proximity to studying modifications impressions of AI. Two-thirds of scholars consider AI may assist them study quicker, but fewer than half of academics report utilizing AI themselves to finish duties. Solely 57 p.c of academics agreed with the assertion “I continuously find out about optimistic methods college students are utilizing AI,” whereas 87 p.c of principals and 98 p.c of superintendents agree. Likewise, solely 53 p.c of academics agreed with the assertion “I’m excited in regards to the potential for AI to assist educating and studying,” whereas 83 p.c of principals and 94 p.c of superintendents agreed.
