Education Leaders Survey Report: Strategies for Successfully Implementing AI in Schools
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Education leaders know how the K-12 system responds to new technologies. From pen and paper to keyboard and printer and beyond, they’ve been there. Whenever we encounter new technology, we worry about how it will impact our students’ learning. Adjusting to it takes time, collaboration, and strategy.
From panic to potential—leaders embrace new AI technology
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the new disruptor in education, and many leaders and their district educational partners are confronting their fears about this new technology.
In January 2023, New York City Public Schools banned access to the AI technology ChatGPT on its school wireless networks and devices. By May 2023, NYCPS rescinded the ban, with Chancellor David Banks acknowledging the district acted out of “knee-jerk fear” and saying district leadership "overlooked the potential of generative AI to support students and teachers, as well as the reality that our students are participating in and will work in a world where understanding generative AI is crucial."
NYCPS is not alone. In other districts, administrators and teachers debate how to responsibly use AI in teaching—and what message it sends to their students. We want to know what’s working.
For insights into safely, ethically, and successfully implementing AI in schools, we connected with over 100 K-12 educational leaders during District Administration’s November 2024 webinar, AI Ethics and Policy: The Next Steps to Impact Student Engagement, Achievement and Learning Outcomes.
ACT Research found that as of fall 2023, 46% of American students were using generative AI in their schoolwork.
A fall 2023 RAND study found that 18% of K–12 teachers reported using AI for teaching, and another 15% have tried AI at least once.
Because of considerations around student privacy, data security, AI bias, and use in schools, education leaders need to consider all scenarios when adopting AI technologies in their districts.
This starts with understanding their community stakeholders’ concerns and priorities and developing action plans that address them.
Top 5 concerns around AI in K-12 schools
Participants expressed several concerns and challenges related to the safe and ethical implementation of AI for student success. The top five concerns highlight the need for careful consideration and strategic planning to address potential issues effectively.
Concern 1: Rapid AI implementation
Advisor: Participants are worried about the fast pace of AI adoption in education and the need for more research and careful consideration before fully integrating AI into traditional models.
Example thought: "I am nervous about going forward so fast. We need to see research, etc. before we completely jump ship of our traditional model."
Education is not known for rushing into innovation, and for good reason. Educators need a thorough understanding of the materials they teach children—and AI is a new technology for us all. Implementing AI in schools has unique challenges around data security, student privacy, and AI responsibility.Â
Many community members will need to see research supporting the use of AI in schools and be reassured that any AI education technology their schools use prioritizes data security and privacy.
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Concern 2: Fear and misinformation
Advisor: There were mentions of fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) surrounding AI, suggesting that more education and awareness efforts are needed to address misconceptions and build confidence in AI's potential benefits.
Example thought: "Too much FUD. People need to educate themselves."
Education leaders are responsible for teaching students and providing professional development for staff. When it comes to new technologies like AI, it can be helpful to bring parents and community members together to learn. Luckily, many resources are available to share with the community—like Internetmatters.org, UC Berkeley’s free AI lectures, and MIT’s K-12 AI Literacy project.
Concern 3: Ethical and safety guidelines
Advisor: While many participants highlighted the importance of ethical guidelines, there may be a need for more detailed and specific policies to ensure consistent and safe AI usage across different educational contexts.
Example thought: "We have started writing policy and that is really important to guide the instructional work around AI. It guides our work."
Ensuring that teachers and students know how to use AI tools ethically is paramount and should underpin any AI policies districts write to guide AI use in schools. Education leaders looking to develop ethical and safety guidelines for AI can download our free guide, Navigating Responsible AI Integration in Education, to help develop district AI policy.
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Concern 4: Inclusivity in AI discussions
Advisor: Several responses emphasized the importance of including community members, students, teachers, administrators, and other stakeholders in discussions about AI. Ensuring that all voices are heard is seen as essential for making informed decisions.
Example thought: "Bringing in student voice into the discussion about setting AI guidelines. This is going to impact their future so much more than ours."
To develop AI policies that equitably and effectively serve all educational partners, districts must ensure they engage all groups and consider different perspectives—not just ask the experts. Districts should survey students, staff, parents, and community members on district policies or guidelines that impact them. This way, leaders can understand their community’s perspectives and ensure all stakeholders understand and support their policies.
Concern 5: Balancing AI integration with traditional models
Advisor: Participants mentioned the need to balance AI integration with traditional educational models, ensuring that AI enhances rather than replaces existing practices.
Example thought: "Don’t ban it; embrace it; it’s here to stay. It’s a tool for the future but every technological tool comes with drawbacks."
The knee-jerk reaction to publicly accessible generative AI tools like ChatGPT was to ban their use in schools nationwide. Since then, most districts have sought policies that safely welcome AI tools in their schools. A reliable, fast survey and engagement platform will ensure leaders can check in with their community to identify what’s working and what isn’t, and keep AI policies relevant and effective.
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- Heather Daniel, Director of Communications and Policy
Edison Township Public Schools
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Successful strategies for using AI in K-12 schools
After asking Advisor to identify our participants’ top concerns, we prompted it to analyze their responses and pull out recommendations based on our initial question about successful strategies for implementing AI for student success. Advisor recommended the following in just a few seconds.
Recommendation 1: Implement comprehensive ethical and safety guidelines
The challenge: Participants expressed the need for more detailed and specific ethical and safety guidelines to ensure consistent and safe AI usage across different educational contexts. This is crucial to prevent misuse of AI, protect student privacy, and ensure responsible use of AI tools.
- Develop a comprehensive set of ethical guidelines with AI experts, educators, and policymakers. These guidelines should cover data privacy, bias mitigation, and responsible AI usage.
- Conduct regular training sessions for educators and administrators on the ethical use of AI, ensuring they are well-versed in the guidelines and can implement them effectively.
- Establish a monitoring and evaluation system to regularly assess adherence to ethical guidelines and make necessary adjustments based on feedback and evolving AI technologies.
Recommendation 2: Foster inclusivity in AI discussions
The challenge: Participants emphasized the importance of including community members, students, teachers, administrators, and other stakeholders in discussions about AI. Ensuring that all voices are heard is essential for making informed decisions and developing equitable AI policies and practices.
- Create a diverse AI advisory committee with representatives from all stakeholder groups to provide input on AI initiatives and policies.
- Organize regular town hall meetings and workshops to gather feedback and insights from the community on AI-related topics and address any concerns or misconceptions.
- Implement a transparent communication strategy to inform all stakeholders about AI developments, decisions, and their implications for the educational community.
Recommendation 3: Balance AI integration with traditional educational models
The challenge: Participants mentioned the need to balance AI integration with traditional educational models, ensuring that AI enhances rather than replaces existing practices. This is important to maintain the strengths of existing educational practices while leveraging AI's benefits.
- Identify areas where AI can complement traditional teaching methods, such as personalized learning, administrative tasks, and student assessment, and integrate AI tools accordingly.
- Provide professional development opportunities for teachers to learn how to effectively incorporate AI into their teaching practices without disrupting traditional methods.
- Pilot AI initiatives in select classrooms or schools to evaluate their impact on student learning and teacher effectiveness before scaling up the implementation.
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Recommendation 4: Address fear and misinformation about AI
The challenge: Participants mentioned fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) surrounding AI, suggesting that more education and awareness efforts are needed to address misconceptions and build confidence in AI's potential benefits.
- Develop and distribute educational materials that provide accurate information about AI, its capabilities, and limitations, tailored for different stakeholder groups.
- Host informational sessions and webinars featuring AI experts to address common misconceptions and answer questions from the community.
- Create a dedicated online platform where stakeholders can access reliable resources, ask questions, and share their experiences with AI in education.
Recommendation 5: Ensure a thoughtful, measured approach to AI adoption
The challenge: Some participants expressed nervousness about the fast pace of AI adoption in education, indicating a need for more research and careful consideration before fully integrating AI into traditional models.
- Conduct thorough research and pilot studies to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of AI tools before widespread implementation.
- Develop a phased implementation plan for gradual AI integration, with regular assessments and adjustments based on feedback and outcomes.
- Establish a support system for educators and administrators to guide and assist during the transition to AI-enhanced educational practices.
Teaching the futureÂ
Integrating AI into K-12 education can enhance learning and administrative efficiency if districts approach it with responsibility and ethical considerations.
Districts can demonstrate the responsible use of AI by encouraging AI literacy among educational partners and using AI technologies to streamline staff workflows and promote district objectives. However, selecting responsible AI vendors is paramount to protecting sensitive student and staff data.
Engaging all educational partners—students, staff, parents, and community members—is vital in developing AI guidelines that reflect their diverse perspectives and foster trust. AI-powered engagement platforms like ThoughtExchange can streamline this process, offering fast, in-depth analysis and actionable insights that align with community priorities.
Ultimately, AI's role in education should expand and support educators’ work, not replace it—and when implemented correctly, AI tools can create better learning outcomes for students. With robust guidelines, ongoing training, and an inclusive environment, districts can harness AI's power to prepare students for a future where AI literacy is crucial.