Teachers are adopting AI almost as fast as their students. In spring 2025, 53% of English language arts, math and science teachers said they used AI for instructional planning or teaching. A year earlier, the figure was 25%, according to RAND.
By grade level
- Elementary teachers: 42%
- Middle school teachers: 64%
- High school teachers: 69%
Frequent use is still uncommon. About 13% of teachers used AI at least once a week.
Training hasn't kept up
In fall 2024, only 55% of teachers had received any professional development on AI, with secondary teachers more likely to have had it (65%) than elementary teachers (47%). Among teachers who had received training, only 35% found it somewhat or very helpful.
Why it matters
The upper grades are where AI use is highest for both students and teachers. They're also where academic-integrity disputes are most common. Schools that want consistent AI practice should focus their training there first.
Source
- AI Use in Schools Is Quickly Increasing but Guidance Lags Behind, RAND Corporation, RR-A4180-1, 2025
