Mass. parents are split on AI in schools - here's what educators can do now
Massachusetts parents don't agree on AI in K-12. About a third feel positive, a third feel negative, and a third are unsure. When asked about impact, 48% expect AI to help learning while 42% expect harm.
The poll, fielded last fall by EdTrust and the MassINC Polling Group, included 1,350 parents statewide. Nearly 60% said their children have used AI for schoolwork, with usage climbing in older grades. Among parents of multilingual learners, that number jumped to 76%.
Why this matters for schools
- AI is already in students' lives at home and in class. Policy and practice need to catch up.
- Perceptions are split. You'll need clear guardrails, strong communication, and visible wins to build trust.
- Half of parents don't know if teachers use AI. Transparency is as important as the tools themselves.
- Equity is front and center. Multilingual learners appear to use AI more; support and access should reflect that.
What parents are saying
"These findings make one thing unmistakably clear: families are wary about how quickly AI is entering classrooms," said Jennie Williamson, state director for EdTrust in Massachusetts. "Yes, AI can be a powerful resource that offers new opportunities, but it also introduces complex challenges and cannot replace the foundational skills that students need to think critically and solve problems on their own."
At home, some families already use AI for learning. Di Luo, a Dover parent, says AI helps his daughter with math and practicing Chinese. "Technology, like AI, is a double-edged sword for everyone, especially for kids. We have to embrace it, not just escape or avoid. I think AI can be helpful but only if teachers provide proper guidance for the kids."
Keiko Zoll, a Marblehead parent, notes her seventh grader started using Claude for a programming project tied to a Minecraft campaign. She wants schools to teach AI literacy so students can tell when images or text are AI-generated and verify what they see.
"As AI becomes more common in classrooms, families need clarity and confidence in how these tools are being used," said Jorge Fanjul, executive director of Latinos for Education in Massachusetts. "Clear expectations, strong guardrails, and consistent communication can help ensure AI is used responsibly and equitably so that all students benefit, not just a select few."
A 90-day action plan for districts and school leaders
- Audit current use: Run a quick staff survey to map where AI is used (lesson planning, feedback, tutoring, translation, coding). Identify unofficial use and pain points.
- Publish a plain-language AI statement: What tools are allowed, for what tasks, with what safeguards. Include student-facing examples and an "AI use disclosure" expectation on assignments.
- Set guardrails: Age-appropriate use, teacher oversight, no sensitive data in prompts, vendor agreements that protect student privacy, and an opt-out process for families.
- Prioritize AI literacy: Short PD cycles on effective prompting, checking accuracy, bias, and citation. Teach students how to critique AI outputs, verify sources, and reflect on their process.
- Rethink assessment: More process evidence (drafts, think-alouds, oral checks), clearer rules for independent vs. assisted work, and consequences that teach, not just punish.
- Support multilingual learners: Leverage AI for translation and practice with teacher oversight. Provide bilingual family communications and examples of approved use.
- Equity and access: Ensure device and tool access are consistent across schools and programs. Track usage by grade level and student group to spot gaps.
- Privacy and security: Review tools against FERPA/COPPA. Disable chat history or data retention where possible. Maintain an approved-tools list with expiration dates for review.
- Pilot, measure, iterate: Launch small, time-bound pilots (e.g., AI feedback on writing) with clear success metrics. Collect teacher and student feedback, then scale what works.
- Bring families in: Host a 45-minute "AI in our classrooms" session. Show real examples, clarify rules, and provide tip sheets for home use.
Questions to ask your community now
- Teachers: Where does AI save you time or improve feedback? Where does it cause confusion or extra work?
- Students: For which tasks does AI help you learn better, and where does it get in the way?
- Families: What would make you feel confident about school AI use? What examples or proof would help?
- Leaders: Which courses or grades need guidance first? What's your minimal viable policy you can publish this month?
Resources
See EdTrust's work in Massachusetts for equity-focused guidance on policy and practice: EdTrust Massachusetts.
If you're building staff capacity, you can also explore practical AI PD options by role: AI courses by job.
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