As the new school year begins, artificial intelligence is becoming a more common presence in classrooms across the United States. While much of the public conversation has centered on whether schools should embrace or reject AI, parents are asking a different question: Will it help my child succeed? This shift in focus is significant because it moves the discussion from a binary choice to a more practical consideration of how AI can support individual student learning.
According to a recent survey from the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, 76% of parents support at least some use of AI in schools. However, their enthusiasm is conditional on outcomes. When asked about AI's greatest promise, 42% of parents cited its ability to personalize learning to each student's needs and pace—double the percentage who mentioned preparing students for AI-driven careers (21%). This indicates that parents value AI's potential to tailor education over its role in job preparation.
Parents are applying the same standard to AI that they use for other educational issues: Will this help my child learn? That perspective aligns with the guidance many states have already issued. As of today, 35 states have released AI guidance for K-12 schools, addressing areas such as classroom instruction, academic integrity, student privacy, teacher training, and family engagement. These guidelines signal that AI is no longer hypothetical but a reality that schools must navigate responsibly.
The survey also found that 78% of parents say a school's approach to AI matters when choosing where to educate their children. This means that schools must consider AI policies as part of their overall appeal to families. Yet, nearly half of parents worry about AI making students too dependent on technology, and others express concerns about cheating and weakened critical thinking skills. These worries are not contradictions but rather reflect a desire for thoughtful, student-centered implementation.
Education leaders are echoing these concerns. TeachAI, a coalition of nonprofits and technology companies, has released a toolkit for administrators, teachers, and governing bodies to highlight opportunities and mitigate risks when using AI in K-12 schools. The toolkit emphasizes the importance of engaging educators, parents, and communities in the decision-making process.
The urgency is underscored by research from Pew Research, which found that more than half of U.S. teenagers have already used AI chatbots for schoolwork. AI is already part of many students' learning experiences, so the challenge now is to teach them how to use these tools ethically and responsibly, ensuring that AI strengthens rather than replaces learning.
As AI becomes more integrated into classrooms, parents need clear, trustworthy information to make informed decisions. Resources like myschoolchoice.com/back-to-school offer free guides and practical advice to help families navigate the school year with confidence. Shelby Doyle, senior vice president of policy and national partnerships at the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, emphasizes that schools should not lose sight of the question parents are asking: Will this help my child learn? If the answer is yes, and parents are part of the conversation, AI has the potential to become another tool that helps teachers personalize learning and helps every student thrive.
