Key points:
- AI can be a valuable tool, but educators say they’d like more training
- How students are really using AI tools: What schools need to know
- Students, educators feel positive about AI’s impact, but fear its misuse
- For more news on AI in the classroom, see eSN’s Digital Learning hub
AI tools to support and personalize student learning will have the most significant impact on students in the next few years, according to PowerSchool’s 2025 National Educator Survey.
The survey draws on more than 2,500 responses from classroom teachers, administrators, and education leaders across the U.S.
More than half of educators (54 percent) believe AI tools that support and personalize learning will be the most influential factor in improving student outcomes over the next 2-4 years.
Despite this optimism, actual use of AI in classrooms remains limited–only 13 percent of teachers and 11 percent of school administrators report currently using AI to support work-based learning.
There’s also a notable gap in strategic planning. Just 12 percent of educators strongly agree that their district has a clear vision for how AI should be integrated into classroom instruction, while 55 percent say they disagree.
The lack of professional development is another major barrier. Only 12 percent of educators strongly feel their district provides adequate AI-related training and support, highlighting a disconnect between the potential of AI and the resources available to implement it effectively.
Top education challenges include promoting attendance (50 percent), student behavior interventions (42 percent), addressing staff vacancies (40 percent), and supporting fundamental learning needs (39 percent).
Educators’ most pressing edtech priorities include communicating with families (54 percent), connecting data across systems (51 percent), personalizing student learning (47 percent), and addressing absenteeism (36 percent).
Different educator roles have different priorities. District administrators are primarily focused on strategic budgeting and addressing staffing shortages. School administrators cite student attendance as their most pressing concern. Classroom educators are most concerned with meeting student learning needs and managing classroom behavior.
When it comes to teacher shortages and burnout, nearly half of district administrators (48 percent) identify filling teacher vacancies as a top challenge. Meanwhile, 37 percent of classroom educators and 38 percent of school leaders point to staff and student mental health as a significant concern. Half of school leaders (50 percent) also report that staff morale and motivation are major issues that weigh heavily on them.
U.S. educators envision the school of the future as one that offers dynamic and student-centered learning experiences. These include flexible, integrated learning environments; personalized instruction supported by AI; project-based and interdisciplinary approaches; hands-on, immersive activities; competency- and skill-based education; and flexible schedules that promote student autonomy and self-directed learning
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