A recent study conducted by Hanover Research on behalf of Discovery Education has revealed significant discrepancies in how student engagement is perceived and measured within K-12 education in the United States. The report, titled “Education Insights 2025-2026: Fueling Learning Through Engagement,” surveyed 1,398 superintendents, teachers, parents, and students.
While the overwhelming majority of respondents—educators, superintendents, and students alike—agreed that engagement is crucial for student success, the study uncovered a lack of consensus on how to define, assess, and foster it. For example, while teachers emphasized thoughtful questioning as a key indicator of engagement, superintendents placed greater importance on assessment performance.
This divergence in perspective extended to the methods used to measure engagement. Nearly all superintendents reported their districts had formal engagement measurement systems, but a significant portion of teachers disagreed. Many teachers cited the absence of clear, shared definitions of engagement as a primary obstacle.
The study also highlighted a disconnect between the self-reported engagement levels of students and the perceptions of educators. Students consistently rated their own engagement higher than teachers and principals assessed it. This disparity was particularly pronounced when comparing students’ self-assessments to their perceptions of their peers’ engagement levels.
The report also touched upon the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. While many students expressed optimism about AI‘s potential to enhance learning, a significant number of teachers reported limited personal use of AI tools and a lack of familiarity with students’ AI-driven learning experiences. Superintendents and principals showed considerably more enthusiasm for AI‘s potential in education.
Brian Shaw, CEO of Discovery Education, commented on the study’s findings, stating that the inconsistency in defining and measuring student engagement necessitates a more standardized approach, linking engagement to academic achievement. Discovery Education is actively working to address these challenges.
Discovery Education plans to host a webinar on October 8th to discuss the report’s findings and facilitate a national conversation among education leaders. The company aims to leverage this research to improve its educational resources and provide educators with more effective tools and strategies to promote student engagement.
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