This week, Thomas Hatch shares IEN’s annual scan of headlines that are trying to anticipate key trends and development for education in the New Year. For comparison, review the previous scans of the “looking ahead” headlines from 2022, 2021 part 1, 2021 part 2, and 2020. Last week’s post featured articles that looked back on the key issues and stories from 2023; previous posts looking back on the year in education also can be found for 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019 part 1, 2019 part 2.
In some ways, the predictions for schools and education in 2024 reflect “more of the same” – continuing discussions of the influence of technology and AI on education; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on attendance, academic outcomes, and wellbeing; the challenges of education financing as pandemic funding runs out; and problems caused by teacher shortages and divisive politics:
This is a critical year as the nation grapples with the long-term effects of the pandemic amid a technological revolution, a still-unfolding refugee crisis, and a presidential election that could intensify political tensions.
In 2024, expect new debates about AI, gender, and guns, New York Times
Educators should expect debates over school choice, teacher pay measures, artificial intelligence, and standardized testing in state legislatures and on Capitol Hill in 2024
What 2024 Will Bring for K-12 Policy: 5 Issues to Watch, Education Week
Budget projections will be easier and more reliable, at least for the calendar year, as the economy continues settling fairly smoothly to a slower pace with inflation easing and interest rates drifting down with it… absent the usual unforeseeables like new wars, oil shocks and pandemics — public finance is returning to something resembling business as usual.
For Public Finance, a Year for Stability and Cautious Optimism, Governing
5 Key Predictions for the Education Market in 2024, EdWeek Market Brief
One of the biggest forces impacting education in 2024 will be labor shortages—and not just in the classroom. Pressures on the wider U.S. workforce caused by a lack of employees with the requisite skills will drive more collaboration between K12 schools and employers… It will also drive a surge in popularity in career and technical education programs.
Education in 2024: Breaking Down 8 Big Trends, District Administration
What Will Teacher Shortages Look Like in 2024 and Beyond? Education Week
“While the rest of us are buying gym memberships we probably won’t use, school leaders are facing far more ambitious New Year’s resolutions: regaining academic ground, tightening those belts, weathering divisive politics, and ensuring more students show up to class.”
Five challenges school district leaders will face in 2024, Education Week
Brown Center scholars look ahead to education in 2024, Brookings
Education Stories We’re Watching In 2024, Chalkbeat
Three Education Stories To Watch In 2024, Peter Greene, Forbes
In 2024, 5 Big Issues Will Shape Education, Vicki Phillips. Forbes
9 Education Predictions for 2024, Larry Ferlazzo, Education Week
3 education innovations to watch in 2024 (hint: it’s not just about skills and AI), Julia Freeland Fisher, Christensen Institute
Looking ahead globally and locally
Five changes the new Government has planned for schools, Stuff (New Zealand)
Top 10 Education trends to watch out for in 2024, Times of India
Literacy, vouchers, an IPS overhaul, and more: Five Indiana education issues to watch in 2024, Chalkbeat Indiana
“New York’s Board of Regents has called for increased investments in the state’s information technology infrastructure, a bolstered educator pipeline, and additional money to update the state’s learning standards.”
Special education data and the teacher pipeline: NY education officials share budget priorities, Chalkbeat New York
Fiscal considerations may weigh on Massachusetts Legislature’s session priorities, Spectrum News
California education issues to watch in 2024 – and predictions, EdSource
Education Technology
“AI is the phrase on everyone’s lips heading into 2024, with 19 education technology experts believing its advantages will range from virtual tutors and faster student feedback to engaging, compelling presentations and better data analysis for teachers. Other predictions include more immersive and multisensory learning experiences, flexible learning locations, and leveraging and reaching community-based help groups.”
How Will EdTech Change in 2024? TechRound
State of Global E-Learning Market- Ongoing Trends and Seizing Opportunities, EdTech Review
5 Trends Set To Revolutionise Education In 2024, India Today
5 K–12 Ed Tech Trends to Follow in 2024, EdTech Magazine
65 predictions about edtech trends in 2024, eSchoolNews
7 Artificial Intelligence Trends That Will Reshape Education in 2024,The74
AI’s education impact in 2024 could be bigger than many predict, Thomas Arnett, Christensen Institute
International Education News 