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The Role of AI in School Leadership: Opportunities and Challenges
Nearly 60% of school principals use AI for administrative tasks, communication, hiring, and instruction, but disparities in access and lack of guidance highlight the need for structured AI integration and equitable opportunities in education.
Date of writing
February 11, 2025
Time of reading
2 minutes
Artificial intelligence is making its way into school administration, with nearly 60% of principals using AI tools for their work, according to a recent Rand Corp. survey. However, despite its growing adoption, only 18% of principals said their school or district provided guidance on AI use during the 2023-24 school year, as highlighted in K-12 Dive.
The survey, released on February 11, 2025, highlights five key areas where principals are leveraging AI:
Other factors contributing to this gap include limited broadband access, lack of training, and the prioritization of more pressing school concerns over AI adoption. Additionally, previous research by Rand and the Center on Reinventing Public Education found that majority-White school districts were more likely to provide AI training for teachers compared to districts serving predominantly students of color.
Rand’s survey also found that 25% of teachers used AI for instructional planning and teaching, with higher adoption rates among English language arts and science educators. Student use of AI tools, particularly ChatGPT, has also surged, with a Pew Research Center survey revealing that 26% of students used the tool in 2024—double the percentage from the previous year.
Despite interest in AI, some districts struggle to allocate the necessary resources to fully implement the technology. Policy experts note that federal guidance on AI in K-12 education remains unclear under President Donald Trump’s administration, leaving states and local communities responsible for creating policies and support systems.
Rand recommends that school districts develop intentional AI strategies focused on enhancing instruction and student learning. The organization emphasizes collaboration, stating, “States, districts, and schools should lean in to help both school leaders and teachers understand which AI tools have the most evidence of supporting good instruction and student learning.”
To address AI access disparities, Rand suggests that stakeholders—including policymakers, investors, and developers—work toward making advanced AI tools freely available to educators and students in disadvantaged communities.
As AI continues to shape education, school leaders must navigate its benefits and challenges. While many principals are embracing AI, the lack of formal guidance and disparities in access highlight the need for a more inclusive and structured approach to AI integration in schools.
The survey, released on February 11, 2025, highlights five key areas where principals are leveraging AI:
- Enhancing School Communications – AI assists in drafting and improving newsletters, announcements, and emails.
- Supporting Administrative Tasks – AI streamlines scheduling, report generation, and data analysis.
- Assisting with Teacher Hiring – AI helps screen resumes and generate interview questions.
- Aiding Professional Development and Evaluations – AI identifies growth areas and provides insights into teacher performance.
- Bolstering Instruction – Some principals demonstrate AI’s potential for lesson planning and classroom integration.
Other factors contributing to this gap include limited broadband access, lack of training, and the prioritization of more pressing school concerns over AI adoption. Additionally, previous research by Rand and the Center on Reinventing Public Education found that majority-White school districts were more likely to provide AI training for teachers compared to districts serving predominantly students of color.
Rand’s survey also found that 25% of teachers used AI for instructional planning and teaching, with higher adoption rates among English language arts and science educators. Student use of AI tools, particularly ChatGPT, has also surged, with a Pew Research Center survey revealing that 26% of students used the tool in 2024—double the percentage from the previous year.
Despite interest in AI, some districts struggle to allocate the necessary resources to fully implement the technology. Policy experts note that federal guidance on AI in K-12 education remains unclear under President Donald Trump’s administration, leaving states and local communities responsible for creating policies and support systems.
Rand recommends that school districts develop intentional AI strategies focused on enhancing instruction and student learning. The organization emphasizes collaboration, stating, “States, districts, and schools should lean in to help both school leaders and teachers understand which AI tools have the most evidence of supporting good instruction and student learning.”
To address AI access disparities, Rand suggests that stakeholders—including policymakers, investors, and developers—work toward making advanced AI tools freely available to educators and students in disadvantaged communities.
As AI continues to shape education, school leaders must navigate its benefits and challenges. While many principals are embracing AI, the lack of formal guidance and disparities in access highlight the need for a more inclusive and structured approach to AI integration in schools.