I don't think this space could hold all the changes, Morgan!
I think the main change is that we have gone from teaching for the students' best interests to teaching them to do well on state testing. I really despise testing. Of course, teachers still have their students' learning in mind, but always, in the back of your mind, you know you're trying to get them ready for the BIG TEST.
The children get so nervous. They cry and their little tummies hurt. We offer "Good Faith Effort" which are rewards for trying on the test--bubbling in every answer, leaving no blanks, not distracting, etc. It really breaks my heart to see how some try so hard, and just cannot do it...not everyone is cut out for school/testing. It's so unfair. I'm sure I could get better at free-throws if I practiced, but I would never do great--that's the way I feel about some of these kids. They are worried about mom and boyfriend fighting, or getting breakfast, and then we expect them to test well.
These children are more than a test score, but we all stress out trying to make sure everyone's 'proficient.'
Students have changed in that they are like the rest of the world--dependent on their precious phones and social media for entertainment. Also, many seem to be 'in charge' at home, where 29 years ago, when I started, this was rarely the case. Of course, they seemed more innocent when I first started too. I really sound like an old lady, eh? I think that, since they have access to the Internet, they've seen a whole lot more than kids did long ago!