AI Optimism Grows in K–12 Education, But Concerns Over Cheating and Privacy Linger

As artificial intelligence continues to transform how we live and learn, its growing presence in K–12 education is prompting both excitement and concern among educators. A new survey of over 650 district administrators, school leaders, and teachers reveals increasing optimism around AI's potential — even as challenges like student cheating and privacy risks remain prominent, as stated in The Journal.

• AI Adoption Expands, But Usage Differs Across Roles

AI usage in schools is on the rise. In 2025, 79% of educators report using AI at least occasionally, up from 56% in 2024. However, usage patterns vary: 58% of administrators say they use AI often or always, compared to just 40% of teachers.

The roles also shape how AI is applied. Administrators tend to use AI for drafting communications, while teachers rely on it for creating educational materials. Still, both groups value AI’s ability to reduce administrative workloads and assist with brainstorming, lesson planning, data analysis, and translation.

• Cheating and Privacy Remain Top Concerns

Despite its growing popularity, AI has triggered significant apprehension around academic integrity. A striking 78% of educators say they are “very” or “somewhat” concerned about student cheating, with over 60% reporting direct experience with AI-enabled cheating — a noticeable jump from 53% last year.

Privacy is another major worry. Educators’ concerns about data security have remained steady, with 76% expressing moderate to high concern in both 2024 and 2025.

• Policy Development Is Increasing — Slowly

While more districts are starting to implement AI-related policies, most still lack formal guidelines. In 2025, 40% of schools report having AI policies in place — double the figure from 2024. However, that still leaves a majority without clear protocols.

Policy adoption also varies by funding and location. Only 34% of Title I schools have an AI policy, compared to 46% of non-Title I institutions. Rural districts lag behind suburban and urban ones, with only 31% reporting official policies versus 44% and 45%, respectively.

• Educators Want More Training — and Support

Although AI training is becoming more common, many educators feel unprepared. The number of schools offering AI training has increased from 24% in 2024 to 43% in 2025. Still, over half of respondents (51%) cite insufficient training and support as a major challenge.

In addition, 34% of educators report difficulty integrating AI tools effectively into their workflow, and 25% have encountered technical problems when using AI solutions.

• Growing Acceptance of Student Use — Within Limits

Educators are becoming more comfortable with student use of AI — but caution remains. In 2025, 59% of educators say they’re okay with students using AI for schoolwork, nearly doubling the 31% figure from the previous year.

A growing number of teachers are also talking with students about ethical AI usage. In 2025, 64% of educators say they’ve discussed responsible use of AI in class — up from 42% in 2024. However, about half of all schools and districts still maintain partial restrictions on student AI usage.

Overall, belief in AI’s promise is on the rise: 81% of educators say they’re optimistic about AI’s future in education, compared to 67% last year.

Based on the survey findings, the report outlines several actionable steps for school districts:

• Develop and implement comprehensive AI policies, including clear guidelines for academic integrity and data privacy, shaped with input from educators, students, and parents.
• Invest in AI literacy for students, focusing on ethical and responsible use.
• Provide structured, practical training for educators to integrate AI into lesson planning, grading, and classroom engagement.
• Leverage AI to reduce administrative burdens and minimize educator burnout.
• Ensure human oversight, so AI serves as a support tool — not a replacement — in education.

As Jimmy Brehm writes, “The key to progress is collaboration. Working together, administrators, teachers, students, families, and solution providers can shape the future of AI in education to maximize efficiency and support positive outcomes for all.”