Cambium Learning Survey Uncovers How K-12 Teachers and Administrators Are Using AI Right Now and How It Is Shaping the Future of Education

Teachers and administrators actively using AI reveal how it’s changing teaching methods, student learning, and school and district efficiency, shining a light on how classrooms are evolving

Today, Cambium Learning Group, the education essentials company, released survey findings on the state of artificial intelligence (AI) usage in K-12 schools and its impact on the experiences and futures of education professionals. Cambium’s 2024 K-12 Educator + AI Survey explores how AI is being implemented in schools today by teachers and district administrators who are already actively using it, revealing that more than half are leveraging AI to improve learning experiences and outcomes for students.

The state of K-12 education has reached an inflection point. AI has emerged as a versatile tool brimming with potential to support the evolving needs of teachers, students, and schools. To better understand how AI is being used by educators today, its impact and opportunity, and what this means for the future of education, Cambium commissioned Hanover Research to survey K-12 teachers and district administrators across the U.S. who are actively using AI in classroom settings. The survey results shine a light on how AI and technology are innovating student learning, classroom, school and district efficiency, and the teacher experience.

Key findings from the 2024 K-12 Educator + AI Survey include:

Teachers are using AI to personalize and improve student learning, not just run classrooms more efficiently, but challenges remain

Teachers report using AI to help run their classrooms more efficiently, with just under half of surveyed respondents using AI for proofreading writing (47%) or lesson planning (44%). Additionally, teachers and administrators see AI as a path to more personalized student experiences and improved learning. More than half report they are leveraging AI to create personalized learning experiences for students (56%), provide real-time performance tracking and feedback (52%), and to help students with critical thinking skills (50%). Outside of the classroom, administrators report using AI to improve administrative efficiency, including to interpret/analyze student data (61%), manage student records (56%), and manage professional development (56%).

The use of AI within the education sector isn’t without its challenges. When ranking the top three barriers to AI adoption in education settings, surveyed teachers and administrators identified the following: data privacy and security, insufficient training for teachers on how to use AI, and uncertainty about the efficacy of AI in improving student outcomes. Additional barriers identified include concerns about the ethical use of generative AI, limited access to reliable internet for all students, and lack of technical support for AI implementation and maintenance. While 80% of administrators believe that a candidate's technical skills are highly important in the hiring process, this has presented challenges as well. In the face of staffing shortages, administrators most frequently cite lack of technology skills among teachers as a difficulty in hiring (38%).

While post-pandemic challenges persist, the increased use of technology is viewed positively by most teachers and administrators

While technology adoption accelerated during the pandemic, student learning loss resulting from the pandemic, staffing shortages, and insufficient mental health and well-being support for students and staff are making it even more challenging for teachers to feel successful. Cambium’s survey reinforced the inherent difficulty of being a teacher right now – with 37% agreeing their job is harder than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yet, despite the challenges, there is optimism as well. Perhaps surprisingly, the majority of teachers surveyed (87%) plan to stay in their profession. Further, the 37% of teachers who believe their job is easier post-pandemic ranked increased use of technology to streamline tasks (43%) and increased use of technology to personalize student learning (40%) as top contributors, and technology usage in classrooms is viewed positively by 81% of teachers. The increased use of technology in the classroom is also seen by administrators (72%) as a key way to attract more teachers to the profession.

As the use of AI and advanced technology grows, the education professions continues to evolve

This surge of innovation has given rise to new demands, skills, and potential risks. In response, schools are introducing new requirements and opportunities to help prepare, support, secure, and equip education professionals with the tools they need. More than half of surveyed administrators and teachers confirmed they are now required to complete EdTech and cybersecurity training as part of their professional development. Additionally, 20% of surveyed respondents said their schools/districts have created new job positions such as Educational Technology Specialist, Technology Teacher, AI Education Researcher, Education Data Analyst, AI Development Expert, AI Strategic Scientist, and EdTech Consultant.

“We are at a pivotal moment in education. AI has moved beyond a theoretical opportunity or challenge; it’s no longer a question of ‘will we or won’t we.’ AI is not only here, but it is already being used in U.S. K-12 schools and around the world,” said Ashley Andersen Zantop, Chairman and CEO of Cambium Learning Group. “Despite the varying challenges teachers, students, and school faculty currently face, the K-12 community continues to innovate and embrace new technology. As an EdTech organization serving more than 30 million students and more than 2.7 million teachers, we have a critical duty to operate as a worthy steward of our community’s trust. We strive to remove barriers to opportunity by supporting our students, educators and families with solutions and thought leadership rooted in safe, responsible and effective use of AI and other emerging technologies that empower the people we serve.”

For more information, download the full 2024 K-12 Educator + AI Survey.

Methodology

Cambium developed this report in coordination with Hanover Research. The survey was designed to understand the use of AI among K-12 administrators’ and teachers’ and their perceptions towards the evolving state of education and the role of AI inside and outside the classroom. The survey was fielded in January of 2024 and was cleaned and analyzed by Hanover Research. The study consisted of 482 qualified responses. To qualify for the survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, work full-time or part-time in the United States as a teacher or administrator in K-12 education, be at least slightly familiar with the usage of AI at their school/district, and work at a school/district that is actively using AI in the classroom. The data was cut into cross tabs by role, tenure, school level, and school district size, among others. Hanover performed statistical analysis with a 95% confidence level using Z-test and p=less than 0.05 and a margin error of +/-4% for the overall sample size.

About Cambium Learning Group

Cambium Learning Group is the education essentials company, providing award-winning education technology and services for K-12 educators and students. With an intentional collection of respected global brands, Cambium serves as a leader, helping millions of educators and students feel more seen, valued, and supported every day. In everything it does, the company focuses on the elements that are most essential to the success of education, delivering simpler, more certain solutions that make a meaningful difference right now.

To learn more, visit www.cambiumlearning.com or follow Cambium on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X. The Cambium family of brands includes: Cambium Assessment, Lexia, Learning A-Z, ExploreLearning, and Time4Learning.

About Hanover Research

Founded in 2003, Hanover Research is a global research and analytics firm that delivers market intelligence through a unique, fixed-fee model to more than 1,000 clients. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, Hanover employs high-caliber market researchers, analysts, and account executives to provide a service that is revolutionary in its combination of flexibility and affordability. Hanover has been named a Top 50 Market Research Firm by the American Marketing Association every year since 2015. To learn more about Hanover Research, visit www.hanoverresearch.com.

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