In 2023, the U.S. instructional materials market saw 3.83% growth over 2022, reaching $10.6 billion. This growth was primarily driven by the ongoing expansion of digital learning resources, which now account for 63% of total instructional materials sales. However, the report cautions that while the transition to digital formats continues, growth is expected to decelerate by 2025 due to the end of ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funding and broader economic uncertainties.
State governments are playing a critical role in shaping the future of education by prioritizing programs that focus on workforce development, career and technical education (CTE), and teacher recruitment, retention, and training. Governors in 36 states have launched initiatives to address the growing demand for skilled labor by enhancing job market readiness through CTE programs and dual enrollment options. Meanwhile, early literacy programs are receiving increased attention as a vital component in reversing learning loss experienced during the pandemic. The importance of early childhood education and expanding preschool access is also being emphasized, with California, Colorado, and New Mexico and other states enacting preschool-for-all laws.
The report highlights a growing trend toward alternative education models, such as homeschooling, virtual schools, and charter schools, driven by parents' increasing demand for flexible, personalized learning options. Enrollment in homeschooling has seen significant growth, increasing by 51% from 2.5 million students in 2019 to 4.3 million in 2022. Similarly, the rise in virtual and charter school enrollments reflects a broader shift towards education that accommodates individual student needs outside traditional classroom settings.
The financial outlook for K-12 education remains mixed. While overall funding for schools is stable, enrollment levels have not yet returned to pre-pandemic numbers, and the end of ESSER funding presents a potential fiscal challenge for school districts nationwide. Many districts have used this funding for short-term initiatives such as facility upgrades and staff bonuses, but its depletion raises concerns about the sustainability of ongoing programs aimed at addressing learning loss and improving academic outcomes.
The competitive landscape of the PreK-12 instructional materials market is evolving, with digital resources playing an increasingly central role. Leading companies such as Pearson, McGraw-Hill, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH), Discovery Education, and Renaissance Learning have made significant investments in digital learning platforms, AI-driven educational tools, and adaptive learning technologies. However, the report notes that the pace of mergers and acquisitions has slowed, reflecting a more cautious approach by companies as they adapt to the post-pandemic education environment. The trend towards private equity investments and the privatization of traditionally public companies, including Kahoot! and PowerSchool, marks another significant development in the market.
In addition to exploring market size and financial performance, the report delves into policy issues affecting the sector, such as book bans, curriculum reform, and the increasing importance of media literacy, financial literacy, and civics education. AI is also identified as a key trend, playing a growing role in both teacher preparation and the development of learning materials.
Looking forward, the report forecasts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% in the PreK-12 instructional materials market from 2024 to 2027, driven by adoption schedules and the continued emphasis on reversing learning loss. However, the end of federal relief funds, coupled with potential economic headwinds, could slow growth, particularly in low-income districts.
Simba’s Publishing for the PreK-12 Market, 2024-2025 report provides an essential roadmap for educators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. By analyzing current trends, emerging technologies, and state and federal initiatives, the report offers critical insights into the future of K-12 education in the United States and the evolving role of instructional materials in shaping student outcomes. Key topics include the increasing shift to digital learning, the challenges of funding sustainability, the rise of alternative educational models, and the competitive dynamics among leading educational publishers and edtech companies.
Methodology
Publishing for the PreK-12 Market 2024-2025 provides an examination and overview of the market for PreK-12 instructional materials and programs in the US.
The report relies upon information from state education departments, local school districts, and state legislative bodies and information from companies active in the market, including financial data, corporate announcements, and the like.
The featured companies in the competitive analysis are: Boxlight, Cambium Learning, Cengage (National Geographic Learning), Discovery Education, Goodheart-Willcox, HMH, Kahoot!, McGraw Hill, Pearson, PowerSchool, Renaissance Learning, Savvas Learning, Scholastic, and Stride.
Simba’s ongoing research includes interviews with publishing industry executives, consultants, industry analysts, state education officials, local school educators, and education policy experts.
A review of publications, public announcements, and other information and data covering educational policy and budget trends nationally and locally was also conducted.
The US Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, generally considered the most authoritative outlet for enrollment and other educational data, was main source for enrollment, demographic, and some policy, budget, and expenditure data. Note that there is sometimes a lag in data reporting from NCES and other sources; the information used in the report is the most recent at the time of writing.