As AI rapidly reshapes the classroom, families are hopeful but uncertain. While the majority of families surveyed by the National Parents Union (NPU) in 2023 agreed that the potential benefits of AI in K-12 education either outweigh or are equal to the possible downsides, only a fraction feel confident in their understanding of the technology. Only 16% of parents surveyed felt they had a detailed understanding of AI, while a third reported knowing a lot of general information about AI, but not much about the details. 41% said they know a little general information about AI, and 10% feel they do not know anything about AI.
But AI isn’t on its way—it’s already here. As schools scramble to use AI to improve instruction and operations, families and community members are left behind on the other side of the AI information gap. This is especially true for those who have been traditionally marginalized, including Black, Brown, and low-income families. Geographically isolated students and families in “dead zones” can lack stable access to wifi and cellular services.
Large percentages of poor and minoritized students still lack access to decent computers or high-speed internet, let alone more sophisticated AI technologies. Most teachers are struggling to understand AI’s uses and misuses, and if teachers don’t understand these technologies, then families don’t stand a chance. Moreover, generative AI is only as good as the information fed into the algorithm, and much of that information is either wrong or incomplete. AI can omit or misrepresent cultural backgrounds, perpetuating stereotypes rather than countering them. To counter these ills, parents and families need to have a basic understanding of AI and how it works.
AI is already reshaping education and daily life. Without basic AI literacy, families will be left out of critical conversations about how their children are taught, assessed, and supported.
Why should parents and family members be engaged in the conversation about AI?
Equity gaps are forming quickly. As with early internet or smartphone access, families who understand and can leverage AI tools gain a significant advantage. Without intentional investment, we risk deepening existing digital divides—especially for low-income, immigrant, rural, and historically underserved communities. In fall 2024, 67% of low-poverty districts reported providing training for teachers on AI use, compared with 42% of middle-poverty districts and 39% of high-poverty districts. This is not just about devices or broadband anymore—it’s about understanding how AI can be a tool for empowerment, not just a novelty or threat.
Families are critical partners in safe and ethical AI use. As AI becomes more embedded in children’s lives—through education, entertainment, and even discipline—families must be equipped to make informed decisions and advocate for safe, ethical, and equitable use. Teaching children how to use AI responsibly requires knowledgeable adults who understand AI’s risks (bias, misinformation, surveillance, etc.).
Community trust and school innovation depend on bringing families along. Schools and districts rolling out AI tools for learning or operations will face skepticism or pushback if families are left out of the conversation. Building family AI literacy builds trust, transparency, and partnership, ensuring AI adoption happens with communities, not to them.
Parents who have access to AI tools and training benefit in multiple ways
AI-informed parents can use AI to navigate a range of barriers and become even greater assets to their children’s education and well-being:
- Support with homework and learning: AI tutoring apps, translation tools, and adaptive learning platforms can help families support their children academically, even when parents lack subject-matter expertise
- Language access: AI-powered translation tools can help bridge communication gaps for multilingual families or families with limited English proficiency.
- Digital navigation: AI can simplify or automate tasks like managing school communications, tracking assignments, and monitoring grades. In the long term, AI could very well democratize parent access to data writ large.
- Time and capacity constraints: Caregivers working long hours or multiple jobs can use AI-driven scheduling tools, educational assistants, and personalized content to help them stay engaged more efficiently.
- Equity and access: When used thoughtfully, AI can lower the cost of access to tutoring, enrichment, and learning support, offering new opportunities to families who have historically lacked access.
Fortunately, we see some emerging examples of investment in parent AI literacy.
- The Anaheim Unified High School District has developed and widely shared an AI Framework that prioritizes parent involvement. This framework empowers parents to become informed advocates for their children’s AI education, enabling them to actively participate in their educational journey. It also encourages parents to engage in the AI community, fostering an environment of support and collaboration for the holistic development of their children’s AI literacy.”
- Mississippi’s AI Collaborative is “cultivating a community-centric AI ecosystem” that bridges education, workforce development, and industry to create seamless pathways for AI adoption and innovation across the state. It has trained over 1,200 teachers to integrate AI into classrooms and equipped more than 4,000 Mississippians with critical AI skills through AI-Thons and workshops.
- At the national level, the EDSAFE AI Alliance shares resources and advocates for bringing parents into school-based AI policy-setting to ensure the rollout of AI is safe, accountable, fair, and effective. Their AI Policy Labs, a nationwide network of districts, collaboratively developed a “policy stack” that includes acceptable use policies, parent communication and consent policies, and professional development resources.
- Nonprofit organizations such as Common Sense Media, AI in Education National Parents Union, and Internet Matters have also developed tools and training to help parents navigate the brave new world of AI.
Districts and EdTech firms must step up
Districts have a lot on their plates, but they must remember parents are also consumers of AI technology. They could:
- Partner with nonprofit organizations and public institutions to provide adult and student literacy-building, especially in rural and urban districts.
- Advocate for more state-led initiatives that integrate AI literacy-building into broader education and workforce goals.
- Modernize backend tech systems to enable greater data transparency for families and deeper analysis of cross-district data.
Edtech also plays a role. Companies investing in school-based tools that promise student and teacher benefits must include families as partners. We need more educational AI tools that prioritize communication with families and student support.
Families are eager to engage, but they can’t do it alone. To fully participate in the AI-driven future of education, they must understand its many dimensions, including its benefits and drawbacks. Schools, policymakers, and edtech firms must act now to support families and ensure that every community can benefit from the AI revolution, not just a privileged few. Intentionally bringing families into the conversation isn’t just good policy; it’s essential for equity, trust, and sustainable innovation.
This blog is part of our AI Learning Series, where CRPE invites thought leaders, educators, researchers, and innovators to explore the transformative potential—and complex challenges—of AI in education. From personalized learning platforms to AI-powered administrative tools, the education landscape is evolving rapidly. Yet, alongside opportunities for increased equity, efficiency, and engagement come pressing questions about ethics, accessibility, and the human element in learning environments. Join us as we unpack the promise, the pitfalls, and the path forward for AI in schools.
