AI Use in Schools
This week I would like to share a recent Sep 2025 AI SoTL article entitled, AI Use in Schools Is Quickly Increasing but Guidance Lags by Doss et al. This paper offers one of the most comprehensive national portraits of AI integration across the U.S. K–12. Drawing on data from over 15,000 respondents including students, teachers, parents, and school leaders the study reveals that while AI adoption has surged, institutional frameworks to guide its use remain insufficient.
By winter 2025, over half of both students (54%) and teachers (53%) were using AI for schoolwork or instruction marking a 15- to 25-point increase in just one year. High school students and teachers lead in usage, with AI commonly employed for assignments, lesson planning, grading, and administrative tasks. Yet fewer than half of school principals (45%) reported having any AI policy, and only one-third of teachers indicated their schools had clear academic integrity guidelines.
The data expose a sharp disconnect between AI use and literacy support. Only 35% of district leaders said their schools provided students training on responsible AI use, while 19% of students reported any teacher-led instruction. Even among teachers, 55% received PD, and few found it effective. The RAND team argues that this policy-training gap risks leaving students and educators to navigate AI ethics, safety, and academic integrity largely on their own.
Perceptions of AI’s educational impact diverged sharply across groups. Parents (61 %) and students (about 50 %) worried that AI use could weaken critical-thinking skills, while only 22 % of district leaders shared that concern. Additionally, half of students feared being falsely accused of AI-related cheating, particularly in high school contexts where AI use is highest. This anxiety is exacerbated by ambiguous expectations and limited communication about what constitutes “cheating” with AI.
Recommendations
The RAND researchers urge states and districts to:
Develop coherent policies defining appropriate AI use and academic integrity.
Provide tiered training first for teachers, then for students to build shared understanding and practical competence.
Differentiate between AI as a cognitive aid versus a substitute for learning, helping students use AI to complement rather than replace critical thinking.
Extend AI literacy efforts to elementary schools, where early exposure can build foundational skills and reduce later confusion.
Reference
Doss, C. J., Bozick, R., Schwartz, H. L., Chu, L., Rainey, L. R., Woo, A., Reich, J., & Dukes, J. (2025). AI use in schools is quickly increasing but guidance lags behind: Findings from the RAND survey panels (RR-A4180-1). RAND Corporation.