AI use among educators has exploded with nearly 60% of K12 principals reporting using AI tools for work. Here’s how they’re using the technology.
Among the various AI tools available, the most common tools used by principals—and teachers—are ChatGPT, MagicSchool AI, Canva, Khan Academy and Amira, according to a new survey from the RAND Corporation. Drafting communications and supporting teachers are the two most common tasks principals achieve with AI.
Drafting communications
Nearly half of the 60% of principals using AI employ it to draft communications with parents, staff and other stakeholders—the most common way leaders harness the technology. They reported using AI to create or revise emails, letters, newsletters, speeches, school announcements, social media flyers, memos and presentations.
“I use ChatGPT for weekly newsletters and emails to staff,” said one high school principal in the survey. “It helps me dump my thoughts out and puts them in a more concise and coherent form.”
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Other leaders use the technology to handle administrative tasks such as writing recommendations and reference letters for teachers and students; developing mission statements, strategic plans and school policies; and creating master bell schedules, student behavior intervention plans and IEPs.
Supporting teachers
Another handful of principals use AI to support teacher hiring, evaluations and professional learning. Many have AI write job descriptions, interview questions, hiring rubrics or justifications for a position.
Furthermore, they’ve used AI to create evaluation templates, summarize observation notes and draft observation reports and improvement plans. “I enter the descriptor and information about the teacher, and it gives me a starting point to edit narratives for each section,” one principal explained. “[AI] reduces evaluation paperwork time by half.”
Nearly 70% of the 300 principals who use AI to support teachers said it helps create activities and learning objectives for staff meetings and professional learning programs.
Finally, principals use AI to create instructional resources for teachers and to research topics. For example, some leaders say AI gives them insight on topics related to their jobs, including best practices, education policies and curriculum ideas.
“I have used AI to help generate some ideas around supporting students with cell phone use and social media, as well as social-emotional health,” said one middle school principal.
Click here to read the full survey.
