In June 2024, the $170Bn of COVID-related extraordinary Federal funding for K-12 and Hi Ed came to an end in the USA. Over its period of scope (2020 to 2024), 1.7m IFPDs and IWBs were sold into K-12 in the US, taking classroom penetration rates to nearly 90%. There are still some schools that, mainly for budgetary reasons, are using TVs, Flat Panel Professional Displays (FPD) or non-interactive Projectors. Schools have now returned to their (pre-2020) local funding model and, in 2024, the priority seems to have been on replacing Chromebooks, PCs and Tablets purchased in 2020 (with a similar pattern expected 2025 for 2021 purchases). Along with tighter funding, this has, in 2024, and will in 2025, impact on demand for IFPD and IWB. Nevertheless, with some schools having IFPDs that are in need of replacement, and with over 1 million IWBs still in use in K-12 in the USA, there will significant replenishment/replacement opportunities moving forwards, especially later in the decade as IFPDs installed in 2020/2021/2022 come to be replaced.
Decision maker feedback has continued to echo the growing trend of schools turning away from projectors and focusing on IFPDs, in which these devices are expected to increase in classroom penetration by 26%. Larger meeting rooms on the other hand are benefitting from a boost in projector adoption, in addition to LED displays drawing attention, however still facing a hefty purchase price and so likely the reason for lower penetration rates currently. In addition, schools are expecting an overall boost in their classroom AV devices, with cameras, video conferencing solutions and microphones all seeing increased penetration rates over the coming two years. This is particularly evident in districts which are looking to replace many of their old AV devices that may be in need of upgraded image/audio quality and device spec.