National Education Association Endorses New Policy Regarding Artificial Intelligence in Education; Teachers Share Their Views
NEA's AI Policy Statement in Education: A Step Forward, but More Can Be Done
The National Education Association (NEA) has approved a policy statement on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education, marking a significant step forward in the conversation about AI's role in the classroom. The six-page document, released in early July, outlines five key principles for the use of AI in education, focusing on students and educators at the center, evidence-based AI, ethical development and use, equitable access, and ongoing education about AI.
While the policy statement is thoughtful and thorough, involving many stakeholders in its development and considering both the potential benefits and pitfalls of AI in education, it has received mixed reactions. Some, like Torrey Trust, professor of Learning Technology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, are pleased with the policy statement overall. On the other hand, Alana Winnick, educator and author of The Generative Age: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Education, would have preferred more student voice represented in the policy statement, especially when it emphasizes the importance of student input in AI policies.
The policy statement focuses on school leaders rather than classroom educators, according to Trust. To address this, educators recommend expanding the NEA's AI policy statement by emphasizing educator involvement in AI policy adoption and evaluation. Key suggestions include elevating the educator voice in decisions about AI use in classrooms, promoting AI literacy for both students and educators, instituting clear guidelines on privacy, accessibility, and equity, developing resources and professional development, addressing risks like AI-generated deepfakes and cyberbullying, and encouraging pilot programs for AI integration that track outcomes on student engagement, teacher workload, and mastery of standards.
The policy statement does not directly provide guidance for teachers on when and how to use AI in education. However, it encourages school leaders to ensure AI does not replace humans in education, that research drives decision-making, and that teachers have ongoing professional learning opportunities. The policy statement's advice is aligned with the U.S. Department of Education's Artificial Intelligence and The Future of Teaching and Learning Insights and Recommendations.
Pat Yongpradit, Chief Academic Officer of Code.org and Lead of TeachAI, was honored to see TeachAI's resources referenced in the recommendations. Despite limitations, those interviewed agree that more attention being given to AI in education by a major union is a positive development.
The pace at which AI is developing makes the focus on research a nuanced situation. The policy statement does not address the AI digital divide explicitly. However, the expansions suggested by educators reinforce the need for policy grounded in practical implementation, equity considerations, and educator leadership, directly echoing the U.S. Department of Education’s focus on AI’s future role in teaching and learning as a tool to enhance rather than replace educators.
- The NEA's AI policy statement highlights the importance of students and educators at the center of AI implementation in education, demanding an emphasis on educator involvement in AI policy adoption and evaluation.
- The policy statement encourages the development of AI literacy for both students and educators, emphasizing the need for clear guidelines on privacy, accessibility, and equity in digital learning environments.
- The NEA's policy statement underscores the role of technology and AI in education as a tool to support, not replace humans, aligning with the US Department of Education's recommendations for AI in education.
- While the policy statement provides a foundation for AI integration in education, it lacks direct guidance for teachers on the practical application of AI in their learning and self-development.
