Technology Is Still Dramatically Underutilized in Most Classrooms

Education Secretary-designate Linda McMahon will soon appear before the Senate for her confirmation hearing.

The hearing comes just as new federal data show that American students are performing worse than they did pre-pandemic -- and that the gap between high achievers and low achievers has gotten wider.

In other words, the next education secretary will have her work cut out for her. We desperately need to break the cycle of stagnation that has taken hold of public education -- make bold, systemic changes to the way we teach kids in this country.

The numbers are dire. Since 2019, U.S. test scores have cratered. Less than one-third of eighth-graders are hitting grade-level standards in reading or math. For minority and low-income students, the situation is even bleaker. The average math score for Black eighth-graders is at its lowest level in more than 20 years, with 74% of these students performing below the national average.

These aren't just abstract figures -- they represent millions of futures in jeopardy and a nation teetering on the edge of losing its competitive edge.

Parents are taking notice. Just 16% of Americans believe K-12 education is on the right track, according to a Pew Research Center poll. This frustration transcends political divides and was clearly reflected in November's election. Donald Trump won parents of school-age children by four percentage points -- a seven-point swing from 2020.

The message couldn't be clearer -- voters want to see big changes to our education system.

Too many schools cling to outdated modes of education that fail to meet students where they are -- and fail to prepare them for the world they'll inherit.

For example, technology is still dramatically underutilized in most classrooms. In an age where groceries arrive with a tap of a finger and language learning can happen on an app, forcing students into all-day, lecture-based classrooms doesn't make sense. Today's ed-tech tools can tailor lessons to match individuals' strengths and weaknesses -- and provide the kind of personalized attention that traditional classrooms cannot.

At the network of schools in Texas and Florida that I run, this approach has transformed learning. High-performing students don't get a free pass to finish early and play games. Instead, they dive deeper into complex material.

At the same time, struggling students are not left behind. Using real-time feedback and adaptive learning tools, we stick with them until that "a-ha" moment happens.

Lessons are also tailored to diverse learning styles. That approach supports visual and auditory learners, as well as students who speak English as a second language. ESL students, understandably, benefit from tech tools that break down language barriers. Translating material beforehand allows these students to focus 100% on comprehending the material.

When used correctly, technology doesn't replace teachers. It supercharges them, turning every lesson into a one-on-one learning experience.

Second, schools need to prepare students for the real world and the modern economy. Linda McMahon's emphasis on vocational education is a step in the right direction. But even broader efforts are necessary.

Memorization-based instruction should take a back seat to developing the skills proven to drive long-term success, like communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. These skills are the building blocks of entrepreneurship and innovation. They should be baked into every subject and reinforced through hands-on, project-based learning.

Finally, schools need to forge stronger connections with their communities. Parents should not be spectators in their child's education -- they should be active partners. Real-time progress updates, meaningful opportunities for input, and true accountability should be the norm, not the exception.

A community-based approach has already yielded remarkable results at our campus in Brownsville, Texas, one of the poorest areas of the country. By working closely with families, we've helped students catch up within months who were years behind, while advanced learners thrive at their own pace. Perhaps most encouragingly, we're seeing the same dramatic improvements among students from privileged and non-privileged backgrounds.

Overhauling public education is no small task. Administrators must juggle state mandates, and parents understandably worry about disrupting their children's learning.

But we can't afford to maintain the status quo. By embracing technology, challenging outdated approaches, and fostering true community involvement, we can build something better -- not just for some students, but for all of them.

Linda McMahon's confirmation hearing offers a rare opportunity for our leaders to confront the crisis facing American education. Our children deserve more than a system that sets them up to fail. They need the skills to compete, adapt, and lead in a world that won't wait for them to catch up.