Between 2023 and 2024, the percentage of all districts training teachers on artificial intelligence more than doubled from 23% to 48%, according to a Rand study reported in K-12 Dive. But a gap in AI implementation persists. Low-poverty districts were far more likely to provide such training in fall 2024 than high-poverty districts — 67% vs. 39%.
This gap won’t disappear as more districts provide training, based on districts’ reported fall 2025 plans in the Rand survey. Districts serving students in high-poverty schools will “likely need additional support to prepare their teachers for AI,” researchers wrote.
These findings reinforce fears that implementation of AI will not be a level playing field across the K-12 national landscape. “The faster take-up of AI in historically advantaged settings raises concerns about wide disparities in teachers’ and students’ opportunities to learn with these tools — with the notable caveat that it remains unknown to what extent adoption of these generative AI tools will improve teaching and learning,” stated the Rand report.
Best practices emerging from teachers’ use of the technology should be “equitably shared” through state and regional education networks, Rand recommends. High-poverty districts will need targeted funding and support from state and federal agencies, and technical assistance centers and philanthropic organizations, the report states.
AI training at the district level can help alleviate educators’ fears and about the technology, according to Rand. Currently, nearly all district leaders report their training opportunities are optional for teachers, according to the survey.
Rand also interviewed 14 district leaders on what AI trainings should look like. They pointed to addressing teachers’ anxiety with the technology and empowering educators to effectively use AI for tasks like lesson planning.
Defining training priorities on student AI use remains slow going, according to the interviews. Districts are taking a cautious approach, focusing first on educator proficiency before integrating AI into student learning experiences, Rand reports.
K-12 Dive
