Simba Information’s PreK–12 Instructional Materials Industry Competitive Analysis, 2025 examines how leading vendors are navigating a rapidly evolving K–12 education landscape shaped by generative AI, political instability, and budgetary pressure. The report highlights how companies are responding to widespread federal funding changes, including rescinded ESSER extensions and DEI-related cuts, while also investing in AI tools, CTE-aligned content, and professional learning resources.
With profiles of 14 top vendors and comparative analysis of public and private companies, the report offers stakeholders critical insights into vendor strategy, market segmentation, and competitive positioning. It is a key resource for anyone seeking to understand the operational pivots and product investments defining PreK–12 education in 2025 and beyond.
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND METHODOLOGY
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- METHODOLOGY
- CHAPTER 1: OPERATIONAL TRENDS IN 2024-2025
- TRENDS AND CHALLENGES FACING EDUCATORS AND VENDORS
- Federal Uncertainty
- Political Divisions at the State Level
- Budget Pressures Abound
- State Budget Issues
- A Local Look
- The Promise and Pitfalls of AI
- Continued Learning Loss
- Career and Technical Education
- Social-Emotional Learning and Other Non-Academic Needs
- Staff Shortages and Teacher Burnout
- HOW COMPANIES HAVE RESPONDED TO THE TRENDS
- Boxlight
- Cambium Learning
- Cengage
- Discovery Education
- Goodheart-Willcox
- HMH
- Kahoot!
- McGraw Hill
- Pearson
- PowerSchool
- Renaissance Learning
- Savvas Learning
- Scholastic
- Stride
- CHAPTER 2: PREK-12 COMPANIES’ FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IN 2023 AND EARLY 2024
- REVENUE TRENDS IN 2024
- Table 2-1. Simba Information's PreK-12 Performance Index, Latest Full Fiscal Year
- INDIVIDUAL RESULTS VARIED BY COMPANY
- Boxlight
- Cengage
- McGraw Hill
- Pearson
- PowerSchool
- Scholastic
- Stride
- Financial Results Are Driven By Key Industry Trends
- LOOKING AHEAD TO 2025
- Table 2-2. PreK-12 Companies’ Revenue Outlook, Latest Partial Fiscal Year
- DIGITAL TRANSITION CONTINUES, DRIVEN BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
- Cengage
- McGraw Hill
- Pearson
- Table 2-3. Digital Products and Services as Share of Selected PreK Companies' Revenue
- CHAPTER 3: STOCK PRICE TRENDS IN 2024-2025
- Table 3-1. Education Company Stock Index, January 2, 2024-December 30, 2024
- PREK-12 SEGMENT OUTPERFORMS KEY INDEXES AGAIN IN 2024
- THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2025
- Table 3-2. Public Education Company Stock Index, January 2, 2025 - March 31, 2025
- PRIVATE OWNERSHIP TREND CONTINUES
- GOING AGAINST THE TRENDS
- CHAPTER 4: M&A ACTIVITY IN 2024 AND 2025 YEAR TO DATE
- M&A ACTIVITY IN PREK-12 EDUCATION CONTINUES TO DECLINE
- Table 4-1. M&A Activity Involving Suppliers of PreK-12 Educational Solutions, Calendar Year 2024
- INDUSTRY TRENDS DRIVE ACQUISITION ACTIVITY IN 2024
- RESEARCHERS CONFIRM SLOWING OF M&A DEALS
- A PEEK INTO EARLY 2025
- Table 4-2. M&A Activity Involving Suppliers of PreK-12 Educational Solutions, First Half of Calendar Year 2025
- CHAPTER 5: PRIVATE INVESTMENT FOCUSES ON EARLY-STAGE OPPORTUNITIES
- Table 5-1. Selected Private Equity Investments in PreK-12 Education, Calendar Year 2024
- INDUSTRY-WIDE, EDTECH INVESTMENT PEGGED AS FLAT TO DOWN
- FIRST QUARTER OF 2025 SHORT ON EQUITY INFUSIONS
- GENERAL FUNDS ENTER THE K-12 MARKET
- Table 5-2. Selected Private Equity Investors in PreK-12 Education, 2024
- CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION
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