Few teachers getting official guidance on how to use AI in the classroom

A new Gallup report shows that only 19% of teachers have received any formal guidance on using artificial intelligence in their classrooms, while 48% rely on informal discussions or shared norms. Around a third reported no guidance at all. The study examined 10 AI-related teaching tasks, such as lesson preparation and quiz creation, and found fewer than 9% of teachers received official policies for any of them. Teachers in wealthier schools are slightly more likely to receive informal guidance, though formal policies remain rare. George Veletsianos, a professor of learning technologies at the University of Minnesota, called the findings 'concerning but not surprising,' emphasizing the need for professional development and clear frameworks. He warned against rigid AI mandates, stressing that teachers require autonomy to adapt AI to student needs. The Gallup report aligns with earlier RAND research, which also found that most teachers use AI but fewer than half of principals have established policies. Christopher Doss, lead author of the RAND study, noted that written policies paired with training are essential for consistent AI application. He acknowledged that informal guidance may serve as a temporary solution but urged schools to develop broader guardrails for acceptable AI use. Doss expressed sympathy for schools struggling to keep up with AI’s rapid evolution, stating they should implement foundational policies before refining them further. Douglas Harris, an education policy economist at Tulane University, echoed concerns about the lack of structured support for teachers navigating AI adoption. Both reports highlight a critical gap: while AI integration in education grows, formal policies and training lag behind, leaving teachers without the guidance needed to leverage technology effectively.