How AI is Changing the Way Kids Learn in Schools

AI is becoming a big part of classrooms across the country. Many teachers and students are using it to help with learning. In fact, a recent study found that 85% of teachers used AI in the classroom during the 2024-25 school year. Students are also getting involved, with 86% using AI for school or personal use.

Sumner County, Tennessee

In Sumner County, Tennessee, AI is not just a tool—it's a must. Sixth-graders there use a program called Mojo, which acts as a personal teaching assistant. This helps students who might be too shy to ask for help. The school says test scores have improved by 8% compared to the previous year, which is more than double the statewide average.

Alpha School, Arizona

Across the country in Arizona, a private school called Alpha School is taking a different approach. There are no traditional teachers at this school. Instead, AI handles the basic English and math lessons for two hours a day. The rest of the day, students work with human guides on real-life skills like public speaking and financial literacy. The school claims its students score in the top 1% on standardized tests.

Controversy and Concerns

Not everyone agrees with this approach. Arizona's Superintendent of Public Instruction thinks two hours of AI instruction is not enough. He believes students should have at least four hours of core instruction. However, the school's parent says the real-life instruction outside of those two hours is valuable.

Expansion and Future

Back in Tennessee, the AI program is expanding. The superintendent says Mojo helps teachers and parents by generating lesson plans and tracking test scores. The program is currently used for sixth- through eighth-grade lessons and could soon expand to high school classes.

Cheating Concerns

As AI becomes more common in schools, concerns about cheating are growing. Some teachers worry that students are using AI to cheat on assignments. A survey found that 26% of educators have caught students cheating using AI. However, some experts believe that teaching students to use AI responsibly is the way to go.

Department of Education Guidelines

In July 2025, the Department of Education issued guidelines on using AI in schools. These guidelines focus on educating students about AI, supporting teachers, and using AI to personalize instruction.