Analysis across 25 online courses reveals major gains in classroom confidence, led by essential advancements in literacy and math
EAGAN, Minn., Sept. 30, 2026 — Teaching Channel, a division of K12 Coalition and leading provider of online graduate-level continuing education for K-12 educators, releases new data showing a dramatic rise in teacher confidence following the completion of its online courses.
According to data from the company’s latest case study, Building Teacher Confidence through High-Impact Professional Learning, the average educator’s self-reported confidence across core classroom skills surges from 30.8% before taking a course to 96.6% upon completion: a 65.8 percentage-point increase.
The survey data was drawn from pre- and post-course assessments across 25 Teaching Channel courses and 125 learning objectives through summer 2026. It highlights a true need for quality professional development, as nearly 7 in 10 teachers (69.2%) at the start of their coursework were not confident in the topic.
The courses analyzed are graduate-level, degree-eligible professional learning that pairs academic rigor with practical classroom application. Rather than measuring completion alone, Teaching Channel evaluates educator confidence against specific learning objectives before and after coursework.
While traditional teacher training rarely tracks whether new concepts make it into the classroom, Teaching Channel’s courses delivered reliable confidence gains across all nine subject areas evaluated:
- AI Literacy: 19% to 94% pre- to post-course (+75 percentage points)
- Special Education and Inclusion: 23% to 98% pre- to post-course (+75 percentage points)
- Behavior Support: 23% to 96% pre- to post-course (+73 percentage points)
- Digital Tools and EdTech: 23% to 94% pre- to post-course (+71 percentage points)
- Student Learning Skills: 26% to 97% pre- to post-course (+71 percentage points)
- Reading and Literacy: 34% to 98% pre- to post-course (+64 percentage points)
- Math: 31% to 94% pre- to post-course (+63 percentage points)
- Family and Community: 40% to 97% pre- to post-course (+57 percentage points)
- Classroom Management: 52% to 99% pre- to post-course (+47 percentage points)
As school districts across the country adapt to state-level Science of Reading mandates, national mathematics priorities and increasing classroom behavioral challenges, these findings give administrators measurable evidence of educator growth following professional learning with Teaching Channel.
“Teaching Channel’s courses show that teachers who begin uncertain leave with greater confidence — not just in one topic, but across every objective in every course,” said Mike Smith, President of Teaching Channel. “With 7 out of 10 educators starting coursework with significant confidence gaps, school leaders should expect more than participation and credits earned. High-quality professional learning should deliver measurable growth in educator confidence, meaningful application in the classroom and clear evidence that teachers are better equipped to improve student outcomes.”
Built for Practical, Everyday Teaching
Teaching Channel tackles the shortcomings of traditional teacher training by designing courses around four to five practical, hands-on objectives. Created and taught by former classroom educators who hold a master’s degree or higher, the courses use video clips of real lessons in action rather than theoretical lectures. Feedback and assessment are provided by an Instructor of Record, never AI. Additionally, 93% of learners reported they applied the strategies they learned immediately in their classrooms.
Each course is organized around specific, research-based learning objectives and require educators to demonstrate their learning through application-based written assignments. Educators apply new strategies in their own classrooms, reflect on the results and submit their work for instructor review. This structure gives professional learning a level of rigor and accountability that goes beyond attendance, seat time, course completion or credits earned.
The survey results demonstrate substantial confidence gains among educators completing this hands-on model. Even educators who began with minimal confidence in a subject (10% to 23%) consistently finished in the 92% to 98% confidence range.
“Graduate-level credit should represent meaningful professional growth,” said Jim Hall, CEO of K12 Coalition. “When educators, districts and taxpayers invest in professional learning, they should be able to understand what teachers were expected to learn, how that learning was demonstrated and what evidence exists that the experience strengthened their practice.”
Availability and Additional Information
To read the full case study or explore continuing education courses for individual teachers and district partnerships, visit teachingchannel.com/course-confidence-study/.
About K12 Coalition
K12 Coalition is a collective of specialized education products and services with a common mission to provide a great education for every student in every classroom every day. The company offers deep expertise in solving five macro K-12 education challenges: teacher certification, professional learning, literacy and math curriculum, accelerated student learning through summer school, and district support, including strategic planning and consulting. Learn more at k12coalition.com.
About Teaching Channel
Teaching Channel, formerly Learners Edge, supports educators at every stage of their careers with high-quality professional learning designed for real classroom impact. Through flexible, graduate-level courses and video-based resources, Teaching Channel helps teachers grow their practice and improve student outcomes, and drive district-wide impact. Learn more at teachingchannel.com.
Media Contact:
Alex Fairchild
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SOURCE K12 Coalition
