Education in 2025 is shaping up to be quite the rollercoaster ride—complete with the highs of innovation, the twists of new challenges, and the occasional loop-de-loop of heated debates. Whether it’s grappling with the rise of AI or figuring out how to keep kids reading (when TikTok dances are so much more compelling-at least until the Supreme Court makes a decision), there’s no shortage of excitement in the educational landscape. Drawing inspiration from a recent series of Education Week articles—and a trivia segment featuring The Community Classroom’s owner on WWLP News Channel 22’s Mass Appeal—let’s break down the top five trends and challenges educators will be tackling this year. Spoiler alert: it’s as much about grit as it is about giggles.

 

1. Literacy Proficiency and the Reading Wars

Despite ongoing debates like the “Reading Wars” and initiatives centered on the “science of reading,” literacy rates remain a global concern. For instance, reports indicate that 60% of students struggle with reading proficiency. Addressing these challenges requires a renewed focus on effective literacy instruction strategies to ensure all students develop essential reading skills.

Hot tip for caregivers: Ask your child’s teacher where they stand in whole reading versus phonics-based instruction. It will help you learn more about how your child is learning to read!

2. Impact of Social Media on Student Well-being

The pervasive influence of social media has been linked to increased anxiety and other mental health issues among students. Folks: we are talking a LARGE percentage of kids. Educators and parents must collaborate to mitigate these negative effects by promoting digital literacy, encouraging healthy online behaviors, and providing support systems that address the psychological impacts of social media.

Hot tip for caregivers: Have a conversation with your kid about the amount of screen time they have in a day, at school and out. Look at their recorded screen time if they have a smartphone or tablet. 

3. Parental Empowerment and School Choice

The movement towards enhancing parental involvement in education and expanding school choice options continues to gain momentum. This trend emphasizes the need for policies that balance parental input with equitable access to quality education for all students, ensuring that choices do not inadvertently widen existing disparities. There are a lot of pros and cons with this debate.

Hot tip for caregivers: Each state is so different. Though school choice is good in theory, it takes money away from already underfunding public schools. What is your state currently doing? And let’s not get started on parent involvement getting books pulled out of public schools in Florida…

4. Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education

The rise of AI presents both opportunities and challenges within educational settings. While AI can offer personalized learning experiences and administrative efficiencies, concerns about academic integrity and the potential for misuse necessitate the development of clear guidelines and ethical frameworks to govern AI’s role in education. This topic is a mixed bag and really is Pandora’s box. Have you ever tried meal-planning with AI? It’s a game changer, folks. But we need better guidelines and guardrails for this fast-moving technology and it’s impact on education.

Hot tip for caregivers: Have a conversation with your child about AI. How are they using it? How might it make their life easier? Where might there be some gray areas with using it for homework and in school? WHAT a dinner topic!

5. Teacher Attrition and Retention

High rates of teacher turnover pose significant challenges to educational continuity and quality. Factors contributing to attrition include inadequate support, insufficient compensation, and increasing job demands. And these are the people we entrust with our kids. Why aren’t we taking better care of them? Addressing these issues requires systemic changes to improve working conditions, provide professional development, and enhance the overall status of the teaching profession.

Hot tip for caregivers: Take care of your child’s teachers. This is a big hairy systemic issue, but we can impact and support those teachers right in front of us.

What would you add to the list? Feel free to comment below!

Want to learn more on these hot topics?

On Literacy Proficiency

1. “The Reading Wars and the Science of Reading” (Education Week)
   Discusses the ongoing debate around literacy instruction and effective strategies for improving reading proficiency.
   Link to article
2. “Why Literacy Rates Are Lagging Globally” (UNESCO Education Report)
   Explores global trends in literacy and challenges in improving reading outcomes.
   Link to article

On Social Media’s Impact

3. “The Effects of Social Media on Teen Mental Health” (American Psychological Association)
   Provides data and insights on how social media contributes to anxiety and mental health issues among students.
   Link to article
4. “Teaching Digital Literacy to Combat Social Media Anxiety” (Edutopia)
   Offers practical approaches for educators to help students navigate the online world responsibly.
   Link to article

On School Choice and Parental Empowerment

5. “School Choice: A Path to Better Education or a Threat to Equity?” (Brookings Institution)
   Examines the benefits and challenges of expanding school choice initiatives.
   Link to article
6. “The Role of Parents in Shaping Educational Policies” (Harvard Education Review)
   Explores how parental involvement is reshaping education.
   Link to article

On AI in Education

7. “Artificial Intelligence in Classrooms: Promise and Peril” (EdSurge)
   Looks at how AI is transforming education and the ethical concerns surrounding it.
   Link to article
8. “Teaching with AI: How to Make it Work” (The Verge)
   Offers tips for leveraging AI tools effectively in the classroom.
   Link to article

On Teacher Retention

9. “Why Teachers Are Leaving and How to Keep Them” (National Education Association)
   Highlights the challenges of teacher attrition and strategies for improving retention.
   Link to article
10. “Investing in Teacher Support to Improve Education Outcomes” (World Economic Forum)
    Discusses global efforts to improve teacher retention through better support and resources.
    Link to article