Dive Brief:
- A bipartisan bill recently introduced in the Senate seeks to authorize the U.S. National Science Foundation to develop guidance on artificial intelligence in pre-K-12 classrooms — particularly for low-income, rural and tribal students.
- Under the NSF AI Education Act of 2024 introduced by Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., the National Science Foundation would establish scholarships for future teachers to study AI in addition to professional development opportunities for current educators.
- The bill would also require the National Science Foundation to create an award program spotlighting research on AI in K-12 settings, and to launch an outreach campaign promoting awareness of its AI education opportunities in public schools and colleges — especially in rural and underserved areas.
Dive Insight:
The legislation illustrates the need for federal guidance as K-12 leaders work to understand and implement fast-evolving AI technology in schools.
“Federal leadership will allow local schools, districts, and states to leverage the knowledge to effectively deploy AI technologies that are purpose-driven that address the needs of learners, educators, and families,” said Sara Kloek, vice president of education and children’s policy at the Software & Information Industry Association, in a statement.
The bipartisan proposal clarifies that the National Science Foundation may use donations to cover scholarships and fellowships permitted in the bill. The NSF AI Education Act, which was introduced on May 23, has yet to advance in the Senate.
Even as teachers appear to be slow to integrate AI tools in their classrooms, there are signs that students are becoming more likely to use the technology.
A study released Monday by Common Sense Media, a research nonprofit focused on children’s use of media and technology, found that 51% of teens and young adults have used generative AI at some point. Among the 632 young people ages 14 to 22 who reported using generative AI, 46% said they used the technology to help with their schoolwork.
The proposal to create federal guidelines for AI use in schools follows an October executive order by President Joe Biden that called for his administration to create resources that help teachers use AI tools, like personalized tutoring technology. Before that, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology released a report in May 2023 that weighed the pros and cons of AI in the classroom, ultimately noting that AI technology should not replace teachers.
Though little federal guidance on K-12 AI use has been developed up to this point, several states have created their own thus far, including California, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.
