Report Card 2024: New Perspectives from Students on U.S. Schools

These discrepancies reveal the need to ensure all students — regardless of family income or zip code — see the advancements in tools and technology in their schools. This ensures that no child falls behind because of a lack of investment.

Using technology in new ways has the potential to enhance the classroom learning experience and ensures students are well-prepared with the skills to succeed in life after high school. Only 50% of students graded their schools with a B or above on teaching them skills relevant to their futures, leveraging new technology in classes and teaching students to use it. Schools must seize the opportunity to bring those grades up. 

Teachers across the country are making a positive impact on students’ experiences and supporting them in building strong foundations for their futures.

We must celebrate and empower educators who embrace creative approaches to teaching. We can do this by providing them with the tools and resources to develop a curriculum that meets the needs of today’s students. Investing in our teachers is investing in student success.

Fifty-one percent of students give their school a C or below in making them feel excited about learning. America’s schools can do better in providing students with individualized learning based on their interests and learning styles. Students also grade schools harshly in preparing them for lives beyond high school, including helping them figure out what type of careers they would like to explore.

By using and uplifting innovative approaches that match student aspirations, schools can make learning more relevant and exciting. They can also help students navigate their career paths and propel them toward a purposeful and fulfilling future.