A recent survey by the EdWeek Research Center reveals that nearly 58% of K-12 teachers have yet to receive any training on artificial intelligence (AI), even two years after the introduction of ChatGPT. While 43% of educators have participated in at least one AI training session—a significant increase from 29% earlier in the year—the majority remain untrained. Tara Natrass of ISTE+ASCD attributes this progress to opportunities like summer professional development but emphasizes that districts still have substantial work ahead to ensure all teachers are adequately prepared.
The survey indicates that a lack of knowledge and support are primary reasons teachers are not integrating AI into their classrooms. Many educators express a desire for in-depth training on educational AI tools but face barriers such as limited district support and high costs of independent learning. Some teachers are cautious, feeling unprepared to adopt AI without proper guidance, while others are constrained by competing district priorities like the science of reading or social-emotional learning initiatives.
Despite these challenges, some educators are proactively exploring AI applications to enhance their teaching. For instance, a middle school science teacher in Maine reported using AI to assist in creating goal-setting documents, significantly saving time. Similarly, a special education teacher in Pennsylvania found ChatGPT helpful for generating literature summaries and drafting Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals. However, skepticism persists among some teachers who believe AI may undermine creativity and critical thinking by promoting shortcuts in learning.
Read an interesting article by GovTech about the findings here.
