News > September, 2026
Voices from educators: Insights from the 2026 educator survey
Educators are at the center of everything we do at ExploreK12™. Their experiences help shape how we think about instruction, engagement, and the support teachers need to help every student succeed.
To better understand how our solutions are supporting classrooms across critical subjects, we surveyed high-impact educators who used Reflex™, Frax™, Gizmos™, and/or Raz-Plus® during the 2025-2026 school year. Through both rating-scale and open-ended responses, educators shared how these solutions support learning across literacy, math, and science.
While every classroom is unique, several common themes emerged throughout the feedback: supporting teacher needs, building student confidence, improving student learning, and creating engaging classroom experiences. Their perspectives provide a closer look at what practical, effective, and joyful learning looks like in action.
What we heard from educators about ExploreK12 solutions
- 100% gave their solution an overall A grade
- 98% said it contributed to student learning
- 98% would definitely recommend the solution to a colleague
- 95% considered the solution essential in their classroom
How ExploreK12 solutions support teacher needs
Today's educators are expected to meet a wide range of academic needs while navigating limited instructional time and increasing classroom demands. The educators in this survey consistently described the value of having solutions that are easy to implement, engaging for students, and readily available when instructional needs arise.
Across grade levels and subject areas, educators described the value of resources that help them respond to diverse learner needs while saving time and reducing complexity. Many highlighted how having immediate access to instructional materials helped them spend less time searching for resources and more time focused on teaching.
What educators told us about classroom implementation
In the online survey of teachers who used Reflex, Frax, Gizmos, and/or Raz-Plus during the 2025-2026 school year, participants responded to both rating-scale and open-ended questions focused on:
- Their experiences using the solution in the classroom
- How the solution supported instructional needs
- Areas of student impact they observed
- Their overall perceptions of value and effectiveness
Because consistent implementation is an important part of understanding how educational tools function in real classrooms, educator feedback provides valuable insight into how these solutions support day-to-day teaching and learning.
Why educators consider these solutions essential
For many educators, a successful instructional resource is one that solves practical classroom challenges while helping students stay engaged and make progress.
Among survey respondents:
- 95% considered their ExploreK12 solution essential to their classroom
- 98% said they would definitely recommend it to a friend or colleague
These findings suggest educators see ExploreK12 solutions as more than supplemental tools. They view them as important parts of their instructional approach, helping them deliver meaningful learning experiences while managing the realities of today's classroom environment.
Supporting classroom management through student engagement and independence
Strong classroom management often starts with student engagement. When students are motivated, focused, and able to work independently, teachers can spend more time facilitating learning and less time redirecting behavior.
Across literacy, math, and science, educators reported that ExploreK12 solutions helped create classroom environments where students remained engaged and invested in learning.
Creating focused and productive learning environments
Educators using Raz-Plus reported exceptional levels of student focus and participation.
100% agreed that students stayed focused while working in Raz-Plus.
Similarly, educators using Reflex and Frax highlighted high levels of student motivation and engagement when practicing foundational math concepts.
One teacher explained:
"The best thing is the kids love it! … It is the most engaging program, and even my lowest students are able to do it independently about 90+ percent of the time. That is incredible!"
Another educator noted:
"Reflex has worked better for us than other tools due to its high engagement and buy-in from students. The more motivated the students are to use the program, the better the outcomes for learning."
A common theme in responses surfaced that when students are engaged and able to work independently, teachers gain greater flexibility to support instruction and differentiate learning.
Helping teachers maximize instructional time
Educators frequently mentioned that student independence and engagement helped them make better use of instructional time.
Rather than spending significant time managing behavior, troubleshooting participation, or locating resources, teachers described being able to focus on instruction, small-group work, and targeted student support.
By helping students stay actively engaged in learning, ExploreK12 solutions support classroom environments that are both productive and enjoyable for educators and students alike.
Building student confidence in math with Reflex and Frax
Math confidence can have a powerful influence on student success. Educators in this survey consistently reported that Reflex and Frax helped students approach mathematics with greater confidence, persistence, and enthusiasm.
Designed to develop essential mathematical understanding, Reflex helps students build fluency with math facts, while Frax supports deep conceptual understanding of fractions through visual models and meaningful practice.
Helping students develop confidence and perseverance
Educators frequently described changes in students' attitudes toward learning math after regularly using Reflex and Frax.
One teacher shared:
"Reflex makes learning basic facts fun for the students! Students gain fluency without stressing … it makes them more confident and able to tackle harder math skills faster."
Another educator highlighted the importance of student motivation:
"The more motivated the students are to use the program, the better the outcomes for learning."
Teachers repeatedly emphasized that confidence and enjoyment played important roles in helping students persist through challenging tasks and develop a growth mindset around mathematics.
Reflex and Frax survey findings
Among educators using Reflex and Frax:
- 81% reported the highest levels of agreement that students stayed engaged
- 88% reported the highest levels of agreement that Reflex and Frax helped build student confidence in math
- 100% agreed students showed persistence even when activities were challenging
These findings suggest that when students feel successful and motivated, they are more likely to persist through learning challenges and continue developing important mathematical skills.
Improving student learning through inquiry and exploration with Gizmos
Science learning is often most meaningful when students actively investigate concepts, ask questions, and discover answers for themselves.
Gizmos helps make this possible through interactive simulations, STEM Cases, and Investigations that encourage students to explore concepts through inquiry-based learning experiences.
Bringing abstract concepts to life
Educators consistently described the value of helping students engage with concepts that are otherwise difficult to replicate in the classroom.
One middle school science teacher shared:
"The features that I value most about Gizmos are the simulation of lab situations that we are unable to create in a middle school science class."
Another educator explained:
"Gizmos allows my students to interact with the topics we are studying and manipulate variables in ways we could not do in a lab setting. It allows exploration of the science behind our content in an engaging realm where they take initiative, changing the simulated environment, and get to ask and answer questions they could not answer in our class time alone."
Teachers also described how Gizmos helped students understand concepts that are too large, too small, too complex, or too resource-intensive to explore through traditional classroom methods alone.
Gizmos survey findings
Among educators using Gizmos:
- 95% agreed Gizmos supported meaningful learning experiences
- 97% agreed students demonstrated better understanding of key concepts after using Gizmos
- 92% agreed Gizmos sparked student curiosity
These responses suggest educators view inquiry-driven learning experiences as valuable tools for helping students connect abstract concepts to deeper understanding.
Supporting literacy instruction while saving teachers time with Raz-Plus
Literacy classrooms require educators to meet a wide variety of student needs while finding resources that are engaging, accessible, and aligned with instructional goals.
Educators in this survey described Raz-Plus as a literacy solution that helps support differentiated instruction while saving valuable planning time.
Meeting diverse literacy needs efficiently
Raz-Plus combines extensive literacy resources with personalized reading opportunities to help educators support learners across a range of abilities and interests.
Teachers highlighted the breadth of available resources and the ease of quickly finding instructional materials that fit their needs.
One literacy specialist shared:
"Raz-Plus lends itself well to the Science of Reading. The decodables and high-frequency books help my students apply the concepts introduced. Raz-Plus has such varied books that it appeals to all interests."
Another educator emphasized the practical impact:
"Most effective resource I have used in over 20 years of teaching. No matter what I need, it is there, and I can locate what I need in under a minute."
Educators also noted the value of having access to a wide variety of resources without the expense associated with maintaining extensive physical libraries.
Raz-Plus survey findings
Among educators using Raz-Plus:
- 100% agreed students stayed focused when working in Raz-Plus
- 100% agreed Raz-Plus reinforced important skills and concepts they were teaching
- 100% rated Raz-Plus a 4 or 5 out of 5 for time savings
These findings suggest educators value solutions that simultaneously support literacy instruction, student engagement, and classroom efficiency.
What these findings mean for educators and school leaders
Across literacy, math, and science, educators consistently described solutions that help address practical classroom challenges while creating engaging learning experiences for students.
Several themes emerged throughout the survey:
- Supporting teacher needs through practical, time-saving resources
- Strengthening classroom management through student engagement and independence
- Helping build student confidence across subject areas
- Supporting meaningful experiences that improve student learning
While every classroom is different, educators repeatedly highlighted the importance of solutions that are easy to implement, aligned to instructional goals, and engaging enough to keep students invested in learning.
These themes reflect ExploreK12's commitment to creating practical, effective, and joyful learning experiences that help educators create greater impact for more students.
Explore the complete survey findings
The educators in this survey described ExploreK12 solutions as valuable tools for supporting instruction, engaging students, and helping address real classroom needs.
Their experiences provide a closer look at how literacy, math, and science solutions can support both educators and students while helping create more meaningful learning experiences.
Download the complete 2026 Educator Survey results to explore additional findings, educator perspectives, and product-specific insights.
Download the Full Survey Results
About the Voices series
Voices is a storytelling series that highlights the people, perspectives, and experiences shaping ExploreK12. From employees and leaders to educators and classroom insights, each article explores how we're advancing our mission, supporting learning, and creating meaningful impact. Through these stories, we celebrate the ideas, partnerships, and innovation that bring the ExploreK12 vision to life.
