Most K-12 Teachers Report No Formal Guidance on Using AI Tools
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A new report reveals a significant gap in formal AI training for educators. Approximately eight in ten K-12 teachers have received no formal guidance on applying AI tools in their work, with most guidance being informal when it exists. This lack of structured support comes as students increasingly expect AI proficiency for college and major technology firms compete for educators' attention.
Facts First
- Eight in ten K-12 teachers have received no formal guidance on applying AI tools in their work.
- 71% of teachers reported no guidance on using AI for feedback or coaching on their teaching.
- 69% received no guidance on using AI for one-on-one instruction or tutoring.
- Guidance is mostly informal when provided, such as verbal guidance or shared norms.
- Teachers in wealthier schools were more likely to receive guidance than those in higher-needs institutions.
What Happened
A report from Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation shows that approximately eight in ten K-12 teachers have received no formal guidance on applying AI tools in their work. According to the report, 71% of teachers said they received no guidance on using AI to get feedback or coaching on their teaching, and 69% received no guidance on using AI for providing one-on-one instruction or tutoring. A majority of teachers also reported receiving no guidance on using AI to analyze patterns in student learning, perform administrative work, grade or provide feedback on assignments or assessments, or supplement instruction. Among teachers who did receive guidance, it was mostly informal, such as verbal guidance or shared norms, rather than institutional directives. The report found that teachers in wealthier schools were more likely to receive guidance than those in higher-needs institutions, particularly regarding using AI to create student materials and assignments.
Why this Matters to You
If you have a child in school, their teacher may be navigating new AI tools without formal training, which could affect the consistency and quality of AI's application in their classroom. This disparity in guidance between wealthier and higher-needs schools may widen existing educational gaps. As a growing share of K-12 students expect they will need to know how to use AI in college, this lack of structured teacher support could leave students underprepared for future academic and professional demands.
What's Next
The competition among technology firms like Anthropic, Google, and Microsoft to win over teachers suggests more AI tools and resources may become available to educators. Tools designed to integrate into existing workflows, like the Brisk Teaching browser extension, could become more prominent. Schools and districts may need to develop formal policies and training programs to address the current guidance gap, a process that could be accelerated as AI technology continues to influence even college students' choices of majors.