As the new school year begins, artificial intelligence is set to play a larger role in classrooms across the nation. While much of the public conversation has centered on whether schools should embrace or reject AI, parents are asking a more fundamental question: Will it help my child succeed?
According to a recent survey from the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, most parents are open to AI in schools, with 76% supporting at least some use of the technology. However, their support is conditional on effectiveness. When asked about AI’s greatest promise, 42% of parents chose its ability to personalize learning to each student’s needs and pace—twice the share who cited preparing students for AI-driven careers (21%).
This perspective mirrors how parents approach education choices in general. Just as there is no one-size-fits-all approach to education, there is no single way to use AI in the classroom. For some families, the best fit is a neighborhood public school; for others, it’s a charter, magnet, online, private, or home education setting. Parents are bringing that same mindset to AI, focusing on whether it helps their child learn rather than engaging in ideological debates.
Schools are also moving beyond the question of whether to use AI to how to implement it responsibly. As of today, 35 states have released guidance for K-12 schools, addressing classroom instruction, academic integrity, student privacy, teacher training, and family engagement. These guidelines reflect a growing consensus that AI should be integrated thoughtfully, with input from educators, parents, and communities.
Parents want a voice in these decisions. The survey found that 78% of parents say a school’s approach to AI matters when considering where to educate their children. While nearly half worry about over-dependence on technology, others cite concerns about cheating and weakened critical thinking skills. These concerns are not contradictory but rather reflect an expectation that schools make thoughtful, student-first decisions.
Education leaders are reaching similar conclusions. TeachAI, a coalition of nonprofits and technology companies, has released a toolkit for administrators, teachers, and governing bodies to highlight opportunities and mitigate risks in K-12 AI use. State guidance echoes these priorities, encouraging schools to engage all stakeholders in the process.
The urgency is underscored by research from Pew Research, which found that more than half of U.S. teenagers have already used AI chatbots for schoolwork. AI is already part of many students’ lives, and the opportunity lies in teaching them to use these tools ethically and effectively—to strengthen, not replace, learning.
As AI becomes more integrated into classrooms, parents need clear, trustworthy information to make informed decisions. Resources like myschoolchoice.com/back-to-school offer free guides and practical advice for families navigating the school year.
Shelby Doyle, senior vice president of policy and national partnerships at the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, emphasizes that schools should not lose sight of the question parents are already asking: Will this help my child learn? If the answer is yes, and parents are part of the conversation, AI has the potential to become another tool that helps teachers personalize learning and helps every student thrive.
