Many of the biggest environmental factors affecting the PreK-12 instructional materials industry are tied to the lingering effects of pandemic-induced lockdowns in the US, which impacted almost every aspect of the delivery of PreK-12 education. The pandemic gave rise to new challenges and exacerbated ongoing issues. The manner in which companies continue to respond to those post-lockdown needs – especially in light of the impending end of federal COVID-related stimulus funds – is shaping how they progress into a changing future.