Most parents surveyed by the National Parents Union (NPU) support teaching students to use artificial intelligence in school, provided it is introduced responsibly. In the September survey, 77% said K-12 public schools should teach students how to use AI tools effectively, and 85% backed instruction on AI safety.

The online survey included 1,528 parents of public school students and was conducted from Sept. 7 to 11. Only 46% said their state is handling technology use in schools well enough. The findings suggest parents favor measured policies over broad restrictions, alongside stronger teacher training.

Support for AI instruction does not mean parents want unrestricted use. Some 81% said public schools should be barred from buying technology that has not been proven safe and effective for learning. Meanwhile, 79% supported requiring teachers to receive training in digital and AI literacy and responsible technology use. A further 71% favored banning students from using AI chatbots throughout the school day, while parents also said students should learn to recognize AI-generated news reports and images.

The survey comes amid debate over whether and how students should use AI, with policy varying across the country. In many schools, decisions are left to individual teachers, according to the AI School Policy Database. New York City and Los Angeles public school systems have restricted student AI use for at least a year. New York City’s restriction on student-facing Generative AI covers preschool through eighth grade; high school students are to receive AI literacy modules twice a year. In Los Angeles, a committee is discussing policy recommendations during the school year.

Teacher preparation remains a major concern. In Educators for Excellence’s 2026 “Voices from the Classroom” survey, fewer than one in four teachers said they had received adequate training to help students use AI tools effectively, while 43% said they had received no training. For their own AI use, 37% reported adequate training.

Despite the lack of preparation, more than three-quarters of teachers surveyed said they use AI in at least one of eight areas to support their professional work. Examples included creating assessments, drafting communications with families and adapting learning for students.

The NPU survey captures parents’ support for AI education alongside calls for clear limits, safe tools and better-prepared teachers. The organization says it includes more than 1,800 affiliated parent groups across the United States and Puerto Rico.

Sources: EdSurge.