AI in K-12 classrooms: Evidence and impact

I've been asked a lot as an educator for my thoughts on the role of AI in education. This post from the non-profit I work for says it all. AI isn't going to fix a larger system that is designed for outdated outcomes. Rather, AI can be a powerful tool in actualizing school re-design - creating a new generation of learners who will not only thrive in, but transform the 21st century world.

Recent problem in AI space is the lack of quality. #Stanford SCALE Initiative highlights something important: 👉 AI is being adopted in classrooms faster than research can evaluate it. Key insights from the research: • Research is growing rapidly: Over 800+ studies exist but only about 20 provide strong causal evidence on real impact. • AI improves performance: Students often perform better in tasks like math, coding, and writing when AI is available. • But long-term learning is unclear: When AI is removed, results are mixed raising a critical question: Are students learning or just completing tasks faster? • Tool design matters: AI systems that guide thinking (like tutors) outperform those that simply give answers. • Big opportunity for educators: AI can reduce workload, improve lesson planning, and enhance instructional quality. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/dtjrNeKK #AI #EdTech #GenerativeAI #Education #MachineLearning #FutureOfWork #LearningScience

AI is forcing education leaders to confront a much bigger question than technology adoption alone. The issue is not whether schools should use AI. It is whether they can do so with enough humanity to improve learning rather than dilute it. That means building teacher confidence, communicating transparently with parents, and keeping critical thinking, creativity, and judgment at the center of the student experience. The schools that get this right will be the ones with a clear strategy for how smart technology supports better teaching, more personalized learning, and stronger outcomes for all students. I recently shared some of my thoughts on how AI and smart technology are redefining learning in modern schools in a recent interview. Read the full piece here: https://lnkd.in/e9rZT-kJ

There’s a growing effort to bring more AI into classrooms, but tools alone won’t prepare students for what’s ahead. A new analysis from our partners at the National Center on Education and the Economy makes the case that this moment calls for rethinking how learning works, not just what tools we use. That means helping young people build judgment, ask better questions, and apply what they know in unfamiliar situations. It means designing schools where students feel connected and supported. And it means making sure all students have access to these opportunities, not just those in well-resourced schools. Read more about what it will take to build a better system: https://lnkd.in/gYkk57UR #AIEducation #FutureOfEducation #PublicEducation

AI in the classroom is the topic on everyone’s mind. How can we use it to enhance student experience? How can we keep our students safe while online? Join Imagine Learning for a discussion about how AI is being used now and how it will impact instruction as we go forward.

We see many school systems treating AI as a tool decision. It's actually an instructional one — and that distinction matters enormously. I'm excited to join Rebecca Winthrop of the The Brookings Institution and Amanda Bickerstaff of AI for Education for a conversation about the future of AI in schools I think every education leader needs to hear right now. Rebecca will share findings from Brookings' landmark work on helping students prosper, prepare, and stay protected in an AI world. Amanda and I will dig into what we learned building Beyond the AI Inflection Point — and what Imagine Learning's work with districts across the country has made clear: the decisions leaders are making today about AI are already shaping classroom instruction, whether they realize it or not. The question isn't which AI tools to adopt. It's how instruction should change in an age where AI is all around us — and how policy, curriculum, and technology must align to avoid a fragmented, inequitable response. 📅 Wednesday, April 8 | 1pm ET | Free webinar Link to register in the comments. https://lnkd.in/eYvgZvaH #FutureReady #AIinEducation #CurriculumInformedAI #K12Leadership

The conversation around AI in education is often dominated by "what" the tools can do. At Digital Promise, we are more interested in the "how, "why," and “when” AI tools should—or should not—be used. I am thrilled to share that we are partnering with TNTP to turn AI experimentation into adoption-ready practice. We know that for AI to be successful, it cannot be a standalone innovation. It must be woven into the fabric of instructional routines and professional development. By combining our leadership in learning sciences research, educator-centered innovation, co-research and co-design methods, and research-to-practice frameworks with TNTP’s expertise in instructional and systems coherence, we are creating a roadmap for school districts across the country. The goal of our three-year partnership is simple but ambitious: To ensure AI supports powerful learning while expanding future pathways and economic mobility for every student. Read the full announcement and see why I’m so fired up about the work ahead: https://lnkd.in/gMundHmp

Here’s what we need to understand about AI in schools: It’s not just *who* is using AI, it’s *how* they’re using it. Yes, a majority of teachers and students report using AI. But the reality? There’s a wide gap in *how many ways* it’s actually being used inside schools. Let’s break it down: For teachers: ➡️ 32% report using AI in little to no ways ➡️ 40% are using it in some ways ➡️ Only 29% are using it in many ways For students: ➡️ 32% report little to no use ➡️ 34% report some use ➡️ 33% report many uses Here’s what I know: Some classrooms are exploring AI in deep, meaningful ways. Others are barely touching it. We can’t ignore what that means for student outcomes. Because access to AI is quickly becoming access to: • Critical thinking tools • Personalized learning support • Real-world problem-solving experiences To be honest, this is where leadership matters most. This is about solutions. It’s about: ✔️ Creating clear expectations for AI integration across classrooms ✔️ Supporting teachers with practical, ongoing professional development ✔️ Moving from isolated use to intentional, system-wide implementation Because our job is not to leave innovation up to chance. It’s to ensure every student, no matter the classroom, has access to meaningful learning experiences. So here’s the question: 👉 Is AI use in your school happening by design…or by default? Let’s be intentional. Let’s build it right. #AIinEducation #InstructionalLeadership #EdEquity #FutureReadySchools #TeacherSupport

Here’s what we need to understand about AI in schools: It’s not just *who* is using AI, it’s *how* they’re using it. Yes, a majority of teachers and students report using AI. But the reality? There’s a wide gap in *how many ways* it’s actually being used inside schools. Let’s break it down: For teachers: ➡️ 32% report using AI in little to no ways ➡️ 40% are using it in some ways ➡️ Only 29% are using it in many ways For students: ➡️ 32% report little to no use ➡️ 34% report some use ➡️ 33% report many uses Here’s what I know: Some classrooms are exploring AI in deep, meaningful ways. Others are barely touching it. We can’t ignore what that means for student outcomes. Because access to AI is quickly becoming access to: • Critical thinking tools • Personalized learning support • Real-world problem-solving experiences To be honest, this is where leadership matters most. This is about solutions. It’s about: ✔️ Creating clear expectations for AI integration across classrooms ✔️ Supporting teachers with practical, ongoing professional development ✔️ Moving from isolated use to intentional, system-wide implementation Because our job is not to leave innovation up to chance. It’s to ensure every student, no matter the classroom, has access to meaningful learning experiences. So here’s the question: 👉 Is AI use in your school happening by design…or by default? Let’s be intentional. Let’s build it right. #AIinEducation #InstructionalLeadership #EdEquity #FutureReadySchools #TeacherSupport

In an academic landscape that is evolving rapidly, continuous learning is no longer optional. Participating in a refresher course on AI for Educators has been a deeply enriching experience, even when it was not a formal requirement, was a conscious and meaningful decision as I believe learning, at any stage, should not be driven only by necessity but by intent. This course offered a valuable opportunity to revisit foundational concepts, explore emerging tools, and understand how artificial intelligence can meaningfully enhance teaching, research, and student engagement. From designing adaptive learning environments to integrating AI-driven assessments, the insights gained have broadened both perspective and practice.