5 reasons US K–12 education is shifting from standardised to personalised, and why the trend is here to stay

A school transport vehicle carrying eight students was involved in a collision with a delivery truck early Tuesday morning in rural Missouri. Authorities confirmed that none of the children suffered life-threatening injuries, although several were taken to nearby hospitals for evaluation.Hours later, US President Donald Trump issued a statement addressing broader reforms in the US education system. In his remarks, he acknowledged the rapid growth of non-traditional learning models and reaffirmed his administration’s support for policies promoting education choice and personalised learning.Homeschooling and microschooling see steady riseHomeschooling and microschooling have experienced significant growth across the US since 2020.

According to The74, data from the Johns Hopkins University Homeschool Hub revealed that homeschooling numbers increased during the 2023/2024 academic year in 90 percent of reporting states. This rise contradicts the assumption that the pandemic-related increase in homeschooling was temporary.Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, alternative education options such as microschools were relatively limited. The74 reported that a microschool attended by the children of author and education researcher Kerry McDonald was “one of only a sprinkling of schooling alternatives” in the area.

However, post-2020, a wide and expanding network of learning centres emerged both locally and nationally.The shift includes an increasing number of parents opting out of traditional schools from the start of their child’s education. According to McDonald’s research, as cited by The74, many kindergarten classes at new microschools are enrolling students whose parents chose unconventional education methods from the beginning, rather than reacting to negative experiences in public schools.Work flexibility influencing school flexibilityThe growing adoption of flexible work arrangements in the US has contributed to shifting expectations around education. Since 2019, the number of remote workers has more than tripled. This trend has allowed parents greater involvement in their children's education and encouraged exploration of alternative schooling models.The74 reported that today’s parents, who grew up with digital technology and innovation, are more inclined towards personalised educational experiences for their children.

The report also noted that many of the new learning models offer full-time, affordable options suited for parents who do not have flexible work conditions.According to The74, many parents are no longer satisfied with the rigid structure of conventional education and are looking for models that mirror the customisation and adaptability found in their professional lives.School choice policies accelerating the trendAn expansion of school choice policies in several states has accelerated the rise of personalised education.

As reported by The74, education entrepreneurs are actively launching new schools in states with supportive policies that allow education funding to follow the student.One example cited by The74 is Jack Johnson Pannell, founder of a public charter school in Baltimore. Disillusioned by the standardisation of the charter sector, Pannell relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, in 2023 to launch Trinity Arch Preparatory School for Boys, a microschool accessible through Arizona’s universal school choice policies.While some school founders operate independently of government support, many are intentionally building networks in regions where school choice legislation enables broader access for families.New technologies and AI reshaping learningTechnological advancements, including the emergence of artificial intelligence, are playing a key role in the shift toward personalised learning. As noted by The74, these tools enable education models that are tailored to each student’s ability and learning style, moving away from one-size-fits-all systems.Tobin Slaven, co-founder of Acton Academy Fort Lauderdale, spoke to The74 about his school’s personalised approach. He explained that the academy does not follow a set pathway for learners, instead prioritising student-led education. Slaven has also founded an educational technology startup focused on developing AI companion tools that act as a tutor, mentor, and coach.Speaking to The74 in 2024, Slaven explained that most AI education models follow traditional templates, which he described as a “bad jig.”

In contrast, he believes AI should empower students to take control of their own learning journey, rather than guiding them through pre-established curricula.Declining confidence in public institutions supports alternativesA decline in public trust in established institutions is another factor influencing the growth of alternative education. According to Gallup polling data referenced by The74, only 26 percent of Americans reported having a “great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in public schools in 2023.

In contrast, confidence in small businesses remained high at 65 percent.This decline in trust coincides with increasing support for decentralised educational options such as microschools and learning pods. As families lose confidence in public systems, they are more open to community-based or privately operated alternatives.The74 also drew parallels between the shift in education and trends in the entertainment sector, noting that younger audiences now favour decentralised platforms like YouTube over traditional broadcast networks.

This preference for customisation and individual creators is mirrored in education, where families are choosing models that are flexible and locally designed over standardised national systems.Emerging movement continues to expandKerry McDonald, author of Joyful Learning: How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling, stated at the Alternative Education Resource Organization’s annual conference that the personalised education movement is no longer niche.

According to The74, she cited widespread growth in homeschooling, microschooling, and learner-centred models as evidence of a broader transformation in US education.In her remarks, as reported by The74, McDonald said the movement reflects “a diverse, decentralised, choice-filled entrepreneurial movement” that is moving American education away from standardisation and towards individualisation and innovation.She added that this trend is still in its early stages. According to The74, McDonald anticipates continued growth in homeschooling, increased demand for flexible schooling arrangements, wider implementation of school choice policies, and greater use of AI-driven personalised learning tools.The current trajectory indicates that the shift from standardised to personalised learning in US K–12 education is expected to continue expanding in the years ahead.