What the latest Savvas Educator Index reveals about the future of learning in 2026.
GUEST COLUMN | by Bethlam Forsa
WENICH MITSANTHEAR
From seismic shifts in technology to preparing students for new workforce demands after high school, classroom teachers today are facing an ever-evolving K-12 landscape.
The latest Savvas Educator Index, a national survey of K-12 public school educators, district administrators, school administrators, and teachers, explored educator perspectives on technology use, workforce readiness, and classroom challenges. The findings reveal that educators are simultaneously optimistic and apprehensive about the future of learning, calling for AI tools with built-in guardrails and education solutions that keep students’ essential skills and success beyond high school top of mind.
‘The findings reveal that educators are simultaneously optimistic and apprehensive about the future of learning, calling for AI tools with built-in guardrails and education solutions that keep students’ essential skills and success beyond high school top of mind.’
Two-thirds of educators (66%) say they plan to increase their use of AI in the 2025–26 school year, up from 57% just a year ago. Among those working in high schools, more than half (56%) believe that understanding AI is “very” or “extremely” important to students’ future success.
However, the optimism is tempered by caution. Only 5% of educators feel confident that their students know how to use AI responsibly, and 70% report that they have received no professional development to help them guide students in AI use. Without support, AI risks being seen as a shortcut rather than a tool for building durable skills.
Nearly half of all educators surveyed (43%) already believe AI is negatively impacting students’ communication and critical thinking. That number climbs to 51% among middle school teachers and a striking 68% among high school teachers.
The message is clear: educators are willing to embrace AI, but only if it strengthens essential skills rather than bypassing them.
CTE: A Model for Workforce Readiness
CTE is gaining ground as a widely-respected route to workforce readiness. According to the survey, 63% of educators say CTE is the top program to prepare students for success after high school, more than double the number who chose Advanced Placement (26%).
Why the strong endorsement? Among educators who see value in CTE, 87% point to job-ready skills and technical training, while 79% highlight the early exposure it provides to career pathways and interests. Three-quarters (77%) of teachers believe CTE enhances employability, a number that climbs even higher among administrators (79%).
These findings signal an important shift. CTE is no longer being seen simply as a niche track. Rather, it is now more widely recognized for its valuable role in preparing students for specific careers and providing high-demand skills for a changing workforce.
The Critical Dual Enrollment Bridge
Educators also see dual enrollment — the opportunity for high school students to earn early college credit while also earning high school credit — as a powerful complement to CTE. Eighty-eight percent cited the chance to earn college credit as its greatest benefit, while 75% pointed to reduced tuition costs and 70% emphasized smoother transitions to higher education.
Beyond making higher education more affordable and accessible, dual enrollment introduces students to college-level rigor earlier and connects learning to tangible postsecondary pathways. For many, it’s the bridge that makes higher education attainable and relevant, especially when offered digitally from the comfort of students’ high school classrooms.
The Motivation Challenge
Three-fourths of educators (75%) said a lack of student motivation is a leading challenge this year, and half of them named it the single biggest hurdle students face.
Among high school educators, 64% believe low motivation is a barrier to earning a living wage after graduation, while 45% say it undermines success in college. These numbers underscore a systemic issue: without relevance, students struggle to stay engaged.
Educators overwhelmingly point to AI, CTE, and dual enrollment as levers to re-energize students by making learning more connected to their futures. But they stress that these tools must be implemented intentionally with guidance and skill-building at the center.
Where We Go From Here
The 2025 Educator Index provides a roadmap. Educators are telling us what they need: AI tools that come with guardrails and support; CTE programs that align with evolving industries; dual enrollment opportunities that expand access to higher education; and solutions that reconnect learning with student motivation.
When we listen to what educators are telling us, we can help schools deliver on their commitment to advancing learning and opportunities for all.
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Bethlam Forsa is CEO of Savvas Learning Company, a global next-generation learning solutions leader in K-12 education. One of a few women at the helm of a major learning-solutions company, Bethlam has guided Savvas to take an industry-leading position with its innovative and award-winning product lines, highest-quality curriculum—including Savvas CTE for career readiness—and assessment tools that empower educators and meet the needs of all learners. Connect with Bethlam on LinkedIn.
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