Parents Divided as AI Rapidly Reshapes Massachusetts Classrooms
New statewide poll reveals widespread student use of AI, sharp divisions in parent sentiment, and strong demand for digital literacy
View the event slide presentation (PDF)
AI is no longer a distant concept — and it’s here to stay. As AI rapidly redefines how we learn, work, and communicate, its impact is especially visible in education. But how do parents feel about it? A new poll released today by EdTrust in Massachusetts reveals that parents are divided over AI’s role in K-12 classrooms, even as its use among students is increasingly common. Despite differing views on AI’s use and its potential effects on student learning, parents agree on the need for stronger safeguards and digital literacy education. These poll results will be highlighted at a virtual event on Wednesday, January 21st, at 10 a.m. ET (details below).
The statewide poll, conducted by The MassINC Polling Group, reveals that 59% say their child has already used AI for schoolwork, with usage increasing significantly as students get older. Despite this widespread usage, opinions on how it should be used and its benefits are far from settled. Overall, only 33% of parents express positive views of AI in K-12 education, and 34% hold negative views or are unsure. Opinions on AI’s impact on learning are similarly mixed: 48% believe AI will positively influence student learning, while 42% expect negative consequences. Attitudes vary by gender, age, income, and educational attainment, though differences across racial groups are less pronounced. Notably, men are more likely than women to express optimism, and parents of multilingual learners are especially positive.
“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. Parents want their children to use AI thoughtfully — not depend on it — and policy solutions must reflect that reality. To prevent AI from becoming a runaway force in education, we need policies shaped with families at the table.”
Parents’ concerns reflect a nuanced understanding of AI’s potential tradeoffs of key academic and interpersonal skills. While a majority of parents believe AI can strengthen digital literacy and information-seeking skills, many worry it could undermine essential abilities such as critical thinking, collaboration, writing, and math skills. Even so, there is broad agreement that schools must prepare students for a digital future: two-thirds of parents say digital literacy should be a high school graduation requirement.
Although parents are divided on AI’s overall benefits and risks, concerns about how AI is being used are widespread. More than 70% of parents say they worry about biased evaluations of student work, threats to student data privacy, and unequal access to AI tools that could give some students an unfair advantage.
When it comes to classroom use, only about one-third of parents say they feel “very comfortable” with teachers using AI, though most report being at least “somewhat comfortable.” This caution is notable given how quickly AI has become ubiquitous in schools and society — and is compounded by limited communication from schools about how these tools are being used. Notably, most parents say their child’s school either lacks AI policies (35%) or they are unsure whether such policies exist (37%).
Focus group participants echoed these concerns. “We haven't heard anything from our school at all, and it's raising a lot of concerns,” said a Boston parent with children in sixth and ninth grade. “We were behind on the whole social media thing, and that got ahead of us. Where’s this going, and why are we not trying to do something?”
“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. “For Latino students and other students of color, uneven approaches to AI can reinforce existing gaps in access, digital literacy, and protections around data privacy and bias. 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.”
These poll findings will be explored in more depth at a virtual event on Wednesday, January 21st, at 10 a.m. ET, featuring a presentation from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) on current and potential state guidance and policy solutions. The event will also include a panel discussion with a diverse group of experts, policymakers, and practitioners. The event is free and open to the public.
About the poll: This poll is the latest in a series of 13 polling waves going back to mid-2020, made possible by support from The Barr Foundation. 1,351 Massachusetts parents with students in grades K-12, including oversamples of Black, Latino, and Asian parents, were surveyed through live telephone and online interviews in English and Spanish from October 21 to November 12, 2025. Results within race and ethnicity were weighted by age, gender, geography, and education level for each group. The results were weighted with a credibility interval of +/- 3.0 percentage points.
About EdTrust: EdTrust is committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in the American education system. Through our research and advocacy, EdTrust improves equity in education from preschool through college, engages diverse communities dedicated to education equity and justice, and increases political and public will to build an education system where students will thrive. Learn more at edtrust.org/massachusetts/.
About The MassINC Polling Group: The MassINC Polling Group (MPG) is a nonpartisan public opinion research firm serving public, private, and social-sector clients. MPG elevates the public’s voice with cutting-edge methods and rigorous analysis. Based in Boston, MPG serves a nationwide client base. Learn more at massincpolling.com.