Key Points
Administrators are more optimistic than teachers about the future of the teaching profession, student motivation, and the role of AI in the classroom, according to the first annual Savvas Educator Index from Savvas Learning Company.
Closing the Optimism Gap
The survey shows agreement among educators on solutions to close the optimism gap and enhance student success.
More Time for Instruction and Professional Development
While almost twice as many school and district administrators are likely to recommend the teaching profession than teachers, educators in general agree on resources to advance the profession.
- Educators early in their careers and those with more experience report higher satisfaction in their roles in education than mid-career educators.
- Educators agree more resources, such as funding and staff, autonomy to do their jobs, and a stronger connection with parents and caregivers, would positively impact their level of overall satisfaction with their role in education.
- For teachers, 80% would be more satisfied in their role if they could spend more time on classroom instruction and less time on classroom management. Eighty percent (80%) of teachers also indicated smaller class sizes would improve their satisfaction. For administrators, 73% reported more professional development would impact their level of satisfaction.
Empowering Student Success
Educators reported high school students’ lack of motivation as a top barrier to student success after they graduate high school, but agree providing students with additional educational pathways can help prepare students for the future.
- High school teachers are 37% more likely than district administrators to identify student motivation as the most significant barrier to students being successful in college.
- Seventy percent (70%) of high school teachers also identify student motivation as the most significant barrier keeping students from graduating high school and earning a living wage.
- Educators report CTE programs (75%) and dual-enrollment classes (68%) as top choices for helping students be successful after high school.
AI in the Classroom
While educators are mixed on the usefulness of AI in the classroom, with most indicating AI will be somewhat useful, a majority of educators surveyed believe AI can best support student learning this school year through personalizing learning and providing data insights.
- Eighty-one percent (81%) more district administrators than teachers say AI will be useful in the classroom within the next two years.
- Training impacts educators’ use of AI. For educators who were trained to use AI, three-quarters (74%) of them plan to use AI more this school year than last year. For those who were not trained, less than half (46%) plan to use AI more this school year than last year.
- Educators envision AI supporting K-12 education within the next two school years by tracking student progress and providing data-driven insights for instructional planning (57%) followed by providing personalized learning experiences (48%).
Conclusion
The Savvas Educator Index highlights the importance of providing educators with the resources and support they need to succeed, including more time for instruction and professional development, and addressing the lack of motivation among high school students. Additionally, the survey suggests that AI has the potential to support student learning, but educators need training and support to effectively integrate it into their classrooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Savvas Educator Index?
A: The Savvas Educator Index is an annual survey designed to understand educators’ perspectives on key issues shaping K-12 education today.
Q: What are the key findings of the survey?
A: The survey found that administrators are more optimistic than teachers about the future of the teaching profession, student motivation, and the role of AI in the classroom. Educators agree on solutions to close the optimism gap and enhance student success, including providing more resources and support.
Q: What are the top barriers to student success after high school?
A: According to the survey, high school students’ lack of motivation is a top barrier to student success after they graduate high school.
Q: How do educators envision AI supporting K-12 education?
A: Educators envision AI supporting K-12 education by tracking student progress and providing data-driven insights for instructional planning, and providing personalized learning experiences.
