BOSTON, July 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Teacher
optimism ranks surprisingly high even as most educators anticipate
continued distance learning this fall, according to new research
out today from Learning Company Houghton Mifflin
Harcourt (HMH). The Educator Confidence Report, an annual
barometer, now in its sixth year, for how educators on the front
lines in schools across the country are feeling about the state of
teaching and learning, found that the vast majority of teachers (75
percent) say they feel prepared to take on the challenges of what
is shaping up to be a very different "back to school" and the
Teacher Confidence Index has increased to 48, from 43 in 2019. In
the wake of a school year upended by COVID-19, 62 percent of
teachers anticipate an increase in respect for the role of teachers
and 49 percent feel somewhat or very positive towards the
profession (up from 34 percent in 2019).
Lessons Gained in a Trial-by-Fire Environment
HMH's research, conducted in June with YouGov, surveyed
more than 1,200 K-12 classroom
teachers and 200+ administrators and found that, while less than 1
in 5 teachers (17 percent) believed their school was prepared for
distance learning in the spring, they are ready to tackle the
challenges of the new school year. Among the most positive outcomes
in the wake of COVID-19, 63 percent of teachers said they have
learned and are using new online/virtual instructional
methodologies. More than half (55 percent) of teachers also cite an
increase in the use of digital platforms to improve student
engagement. While educators identified bright spots, they also
recognize the challenges and believe there is still work to be done
to ensure the nation is ready to effectively instruct students.
"Educators were forced to make quick, drastic changes last
spring, and despite the disruption, our research shows their
confidence in using and teaching with technology has increased,"
said Jack Lynch, CEO of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. "There is
still concern about the fall and what our 'new normal' will be, but
the marked increase in optimism is a testament to the resilience,
adaptability and commitment of our nation's teachers, and the clear
realization we all have of how critical and central their jobs are
to a thriving society."
Social-Emotional Learning a Priority
Distance learning hampered connections between students and
teachers. Just 7 percent of educators were prepared to address the
social-emotional (SEL) needs of students during the COVID-19
disruption and only 10 percent reported SEL was incorporated to a
very significant or significant degree into distance learning
programs.
With 77 percent of educators concerned about student social
emotional wellbeing, it is no surprise that the vast majority (94
percent) continue to agree that students increasingly need more
social and emotional support.
"Social-emotional learning has always been vital in our schools,
but this unique time has made it clear that our purpose as teachers
is not only to transfer knowledge, but to nurture students' minds,
bodies, and souls," said CJ Reynolds, a Philadelphia-based 9th grade
teacher and HMH ambassador. "To do our work properly, we must
empower educators with the tools and training necessary to ensure
every student is cared for and supported."
Additional key findings from the sixth annual Educator
Confidence Report include:
- A majority of educators (74 percent) expect the teaching and
learning landscape to look significantly different when the new
school year starts. A greater degree of change is expected
among educators of K-8 students, emphasizing how the youngest
learners will be impacted the most by distance learning.
A majority of teachers agree (71 percent) that the COVID-19
distance learning experience has moved education closer to fully
realizing the potential of technology for teaching and
learning. Teachers worked hard to make the transition to
distance learning, embracing digital tools and resources. As a
result, 78 percent experienced an increase in confidence using
educational technology. Two-in-three teachers say they used digital
versions of print instructional materials (66 percent), followed by
videos from an instructional program or open sources (60
percent).
- Despite the anticipation of change, teachers are more likely
to say they are staying in the field than they were in 2019.
Thirty-seven percent of teachers with ten years of experience or
less say they have "no interest" in leaving education, a marked
increase from 27 percent in 2019. Only six percent say they will
"definitely be out of the education field" in the next five years,
and 11 percent say this sentiment is close to how they feel.
- Inequity in the education system remains persistent,
intensified by the COVID-19 experience. High poverty schools
were far more challenged to make the transition to distance
learning and overall, educators in high poverty schools have
greater concerns and less optimism about the teaching profession.
Like 2019, the number one barrier in high poverty schools (88
percent) is access to devices/connectivity for students. Discomfort
with unfamiliar tools also grew more among high poverty schools as
compared to low poverty schools during this time (up 19 points in
high poverty schools, as compared to up 10 points in low poverty
schools).
- Educators believe that the support and engagement of
students' families is a critical component to ensuring student
success (97 percent). This spring, eight in ten educators (82
percent) say they their school or district provided families with
resources to navigate distance learning, while nearly three-in-four
(72 percent) say they personally did the same. The same number (72
percent) say they made phone personal calls to families, which they
found to be the most effective form of family communication.
About the Educator Confidence Report
The Educator Confidence Report is an annual independent
study, distributed to a diverse national cross section. The sixth
annual survey content was crafted and analyzed by learning company
HMH and YouGov. YouGov programmed and hosted the survey with sample
sourced from MDR's (Market Data Retrieval®) educator database. The
administrative group included school principals, superintendents,
curriculum heads and chief technology and chief information
officers. Teachers from across the K-12 spectrum completed the
survey. Math, science, social studies, English language arts and
literacy, in addition to general classroom teachers were
represented.
Learn more about the 2020 Educator Confidence Report here.
About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Houghton Mifflin
Harcourt (NASDAQ: HMHC) is a learning company committed
to delivering connected solutions that engage learners, empower
educators and improve student outcomes. As a leading provider of
K–12 core curriculum, supplemental and intervention solutions and
professional learning services, HMH partners with educators and
school districts to uncover solutions that unlock students'
potential and extend teachers' capabilities. HMH serves more than
50 million students and 3 million educators in 150 countries, while
its award-winning children's books, novels, non-fiction, and
reference titles are enjoyed by readers throughout the world. For
more information, visit www.hmhco.com.
Contact
Katie
Marshall
Communications Manager
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
617-351-5057
katie.marshall@hmhco.com
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/in-covids-wake-educators-cite-increased-respect-for-teachers-as-positive-outcome-of-pandemic-are-prepared-for-significant-change-heading-into-the-new-school-year-with-social-emotional-learning-safety-concerns-ranking-most-imp-301101262.html
SOURCE Houghton Mifflin Harcourt