Students are speaking up–and saying loud and clear that a conventional, one-size-fits-all curriculum isn't measuring up. Recent studies suggest that student engagement levels are at an all-time low.

In the 2023 Student Engagement Survey, which included over 5,000 student responses from across the nation, young people report feeling increasingly bored in school, and "a lack of connection" to the curriculum. 

To keep learning, you might check out:
Darling-Hammond, L., et al. (2019). The Future of Learning: Preparing for Change. Learning Policy Institute.

Education Week. (2022). The State of Student Engagement.

RAND Corporation. (2023). Student Engagement and Well-Being: The Role of Teachers.

YouthTruth. (2022). The Impact of COVID-19 on Student Engagement.

The growing mental health crisis among American youth has reached alarming levels, with increasing rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation reported in recent years. A 2023 study (JAMA Network Open) reported that 44% of adolescents experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, a marked increase from previous years.

The 2022 CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey revealed that nearly 1 in 5 high school students seriously considered suicide during the past year, highlighting a troubling trend in youth mental health. The need for accessible mental health resources and support systems for young people is more urgent than ever.

To keep learning, you might check out:
Miech, R. A., et al. (2023). "Trends in Adolescent Mental Health and Well-Being." JAMA Network Open.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). "Youth Risk Behavior Survey."

In an education system where students progress based on age rather than demonstrated readiness, struggling students are disproportionately impacted. They keep advancing in the system without their learning needs being properly addressed–and poor grades and tracking policies leave them increasingly marginalized.

The National Education Policy Center (2020) reports that time-based advancement can exacerbate inequities, as students who fall behind may face increased stigma and disengagement, leading to higher dropout rates and lower academic achievement. 

To keep learning, you might check out:
National Education Policy Center. (2020). "The Effect of Time-Based Promotion Policies on Student Achievement."

Students without access to high-speed internet and modern devices are left struggling to engage with essential online learning resources, while distractions from social media and gaming proliferate. Maintaining focus and motivation has become an uphill battle for many young learners.

To keep learning, you might check out:
Pew Research Center. (2022). Digital Divide: A Study of the Impact of COVID-19 on Students and Families.

Common Sense Media. (2023). The State of the Digital Divide. 

National Education Association. (2023). Closing the Digital Divide: The Role of Technology in Education.

Today, 13 million students attend schools without basic air conditioning, while 1 in 4 students are in overcrowded classrooms (Government Accountability Office, 2021). Why is it that some kids have so much, and some so little, in the world's wealthiest nation?

U.S. schools rely on local property taxes for funding, which means the quality of education depends on where you live. Schools in wealthy neighborhoods have more money for resources and programs, while schools in poorer areas struggle to meet basic needs.

To keep learning, you might check out:
Education Trust. (2022). The Funding Gap: A 50-State Review of How Much States Vary in School Funding.

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (2023). Funding Education in the United States: A Guide to the Issues.

Brookings Institution. (2023). Unequal Funding: The Impact of Local Property Taxes on Education.

The National Center for Education Statistics recently reported high levels of disparity in teacher qualifications and experience, especially in high-poverty schools and those serving students of color (2023).

Many other field experts–such as The National Education Association (NEA), The Education Trust, The Learning Policy Institute, and the Brooking Institute–report similar findings, including teacher workforce challenges like burnout, lack of quality resources and professional learning, and difficulty with recruitment.

To keep learning, you might check out:
Teach Plus. (2023). The State of the Teaching Profession 2023.

National Council on Teacher Quality. (2023). Preparing and Retaining High-Quality Teachers.

Learning Policy Institute. (2022). The Teacher Shortage Crisis in the U.S.