K-12 Lens: Key Insights from the 2025 Survey Report

What’s Happening in K-12 Right Now? 

Every day, school district leaders face big decisions: hiring teachers, keeping students engaged, and making the most of every dollar. Frontline surveyed nearly 800 administrators across 49 states and Washington, D.C. to see what’s working, what’s not, and where districts are making real progress. 

Here are a few interesting things we found: 

• Hiring is getting easier, but certain roles remain tough to fill. Although fewer districts report teacher shortages, special educators and substitutes are still in high demand. 
• Student support services are making a difference. Schools with in-house nursing and mental health services see fewer students missing school. 
• Budgets are stabilizing, and leaders feel more confident. Fewer districts reported deep funding cuts, and those using analytics tools say their forecasts are more accurate. 

Ready for a closer look? 

1. The State of K-12 Staffing: Good News, but Work to Do 

If you were hiring last year, you probably felt the struggle. The good news? It seems to be getting better, even if only slightly. The number of districts reporting teacher shortages dropped from 81% in our 2024 report to 66% in this year’s report. But some positions like special education and substitute teaching are still tough to fill. 

Districts Reporting a Teacher Shortage

What’s helping? 

• Location matters. Rural school districts reported an 85% teacher retention rate, while urban districts only reported a 70% retention rate. 

But while location tends to be static, there are things that any school district can put into place… 

• Professional development that teachers actually want. Schools investing in meaningful, personalized training tend to keep more educators on staff. 
• Better coaching and mentoring. The first five years are critical, and structured support helps new teachers stay longer. 

2. Student Support: The Attendance Connection 

When students don’t show up, they fall behind. Right now, 17% of students are chronically absent. But in schools without in-house mental health services, that number jumps to 34%. 

What’s working? 

• In-house mental health and nursing services. Schools that offer direct student support see better attendance rates, including taking a proactive approach to mental and behavioral health services. 
• Outsourcing specialized support. More districts are contracting services like speech therapy to fill gaps without hiring full-time staff. 
• Early warning indicators. Schools tracking early signs of disengagement help students stay on track. (It’s also likely to increase teacher retention) 

Chronic Absenteeism Rates at District that Do and Do Not Track Early Warning Indicators in Grades 1-5

3. School Budgets: More Stability, Smarter Planning 

Budgeting is never easy, but it’s getting a little better. Fewer districts report major funding cuts this year, and confidence in financial forecasting is up 15 percentage points from last year. 

What’s making the difference? 

• Data-driven planning. 93% of finance leaders using analytics software say their forecasts are highly accurate (compared to 78% across all districts). 
• Better benchmarking. Districts comparing their spending to peer districts report more financial stability. 
• Long-term technology planning. With pandemic-era funding gone, districts are figuring out how to sustain 1:1 device programs and cybersecurity efforts. 

Percentage Who Perceived Budget Predictions as Very or Fairly Accurate by Frequency of Peer Benchmarking

What District Leaders Can Do Now 

The data is clear: districts that take proactive steps in these areas see better outcomes. Here are some ways to make an impact: 

• Hiring & Retention: Focus on onboarding, mentoring, and professional development that supports teachers long-term.
• Student Support: Invest in mental health services and use early warning systems to keep students engaged.
• Financial Planning: Use data tools to forecast budgets accurately and plan for the future.