MDR, a data and research driven marketing services agency, has released its third research report (www.schooldata.com) for the “State of the K-12 Market,” which examines shifts in U.S. K-12 instructional priorities and initiatives in light of rapid technology acceleration and advancements.

The report finds that U.S. K-12 are seeing these emerging trends: transition to more digital instructional and curricular materials; innovative ways to enhance teaching and learning anywhere and anytime; and the growing proliferation of computing devices preferred by students.

Based on a national survey of U.S. district curriculum directors, the 127-page report, by Dr. Rita Oates, President of Oates Associates, and MDR's EdNET Insight research team, finds that over 60% of curriculum directors said they wanted more evidence of product efficacy. Nearly as many said they are looking for digital instructional materials that are compatible with multiple computing devices.

"This year, educators are embracing the exciting, but challenging, job of transforming classroom instruction through available technology devices and digital resources,” says Anne Wujcik, education research analyst for MDR. “Districts are experimenting with a wide range of instructional methods. Teachers are prioritizing STEM-enhanced learning. Career and technical education is coming front and center with more project-based learning experiences for students.”