New RAND Research Reveals Growing AI Training Gap
New research from RAND shows significant growth in AI-related professional development for teachers across U.S. school districts, with some clear disparities based on district poverty levels.
Key Findings from the Research:
By Fall 2024, about half (48%) of surveyed districts reported providing AI training to teachers, double the amount (23%) from Fall 2023.
An additional 26% of districts plan to implement AI training during the 2024-2025 school year, potentially bringing the total to 74% of districts by fall 2025.
Low-poverty districts consistently lead in AI adoption, with 67% providing teacher training by fall 2024, compared to only 39% of high-poverty districts - continuing a gap first observed in 2023.
District leaders reported that initial teacher trainings primarily focused on addressing fear and confusion about AI rather than jumping straight to instructional applications.
Almost all districts made AI training optional for teachers rather than mandatory.
Few districts addressed student use of AI tools, focusing instead on teacher proficiency first.
While we’re happy to see increased attention to AI literacy and (albeit optional) PD for educators, the persistent gap in AI training between low-poverty and high-poverty districts threatens to exacerbate the digital divide, with more advantaged schools gaining more AI literacy.
To ensure equitable implementation of AI in education requires targeted support and resources directed to high-poverty districts. The question is what practical opportunities for that will exist at a state and federal level in light of the current administration and the recently proposed draft order focused on AI integration in K12 schools.
