From Insight to Action: Why 80% of School Leaders Know They Need AI, But Only 20% Have a Plan
Nov 10, 2025
A recent study revealed something telling:
80% of superintendents say AI is essential for the future of education, yet only 20% have a plan.
That gap isn’t just logistical, it’s strategic.
For many schools, it’s the difference between leading the future and catching up to it.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
AI is already transforming how schools operate, from personalized learning to streamlining administrative tasks. But what’s holding most districts back isn’t access, it’s direction.
We hear it every week from leaders across the country:
“We know AI is here, but we don’t have a clear, ethical, or effective way to get started.”
That hesitation is understandable. Between initiatives, staff shortages, and non-stop change, who has time to vet tools, train staff, and track impact?
But waiting quietly is no longer an option.
The longer the delay with time spent overcoming resistance and uncertainty, the wider the gap becomes, especially for students.
What Students Need to Know About AI - or Risk Falling Behind
According to NACE 2025 research, many employers are already shifting toward skills and AI‑based hiring practices, which means students must be ready for a hiring world where digital fluency and adaptability matter just as much as credentials.
For K‑12 leaders and teachers, that means preparing students not just to use AI, but to think with it: to ask the right prompts, evaluate AI outputs, understand ethical implications, and highlight their uniquely human contributions. Without that dual focus, students risk entering a world where AI is assumed, not optional and being left behind.
What Teachers Need to Know About AI
Teachers are the frontline of future readiness. As AI tools become more integrated into student learning, educators need more than just tool familiarity. They need clarity, confidence, and community.
Understanding how to use AI to support differentiated instruction, save planning time, and model digital citizenship isn’t optional anymore. It’s foundational.
When teachers are equipped to use AI ethically and effectively, they unlock powerful opportunities to engage students, personalize learning, and prepare young people for a world where AI will be everywhere.
This isn’t about replacing teachers - it’s about empowering them to lead.
What Educational Leaders Need to Know About AI
For superintendents, principals, tech directors, and curriculum leads, the shift to AI isn’t just a tech conversation - it’s a leadership one.
AI isn’t a plug-and-play solution. It requires thoughtful visioning, ethical guardrails, professional development, and culture change. Educational leaders must understand not only how AI works, but how it integrates into systems that already feel stretched.
One of the most powerful opportunities? Using AI to support data-informed decision-making. With the right tools, leaders can analyze school trends, flag equity gaps, and surface patterns that drive smarter action plans, without adding more hours to their week. Done well, this doesn’t just save time. It reduces bias, removes guesswork, and helps districts get clearer direction faster.
The role of leadership is to move from fear or hesitation to intentional design, ensuring that AI serves your mission, aligns with your values, and strengthens teaching and learning. That means:
- Asking the right questions before adopting tools
- Designing PD that empowers—not overwhelms—your staff
- Leading transparent conversations about data, privacy, and equity
- Modeling responsible use and continuous learning
When leaders lead with clarity, the rest of the system can move with confidence.
Strategic Questions Worth Asking
If you're feeling the weight of this transition, consider:
- What’s your district’s current stance on AI? Passive awareness or active readiness?
- Are your teachers equipped to use AI tools responsibly and reflectively?
- How are you investing in future-ready leadership without overwhelming your team?
The answers don’t need to be perfect.
But they do need to be in motion.
From Theory to Practice
That’s why some districts are taking a different path by starting small, learning together, and focusing on strategy before software.
Instead of adding more tech for tech’s sake, they’re building capacity through:
- Targeted professional learning
- Ethical implementation guidance
- Yearlong collaboration across schools and roles
They’re not just adopting tools.
They’re creating a culture of confident experimentation and shared learning.
Want to Explore What This Looks Like?
We’ve created a structured, supportive space to do exactly that. It starts with a 3-hour online course and grows into a community of implementation, curiosity, and leadership.
➡️ Curious? Schedule a quick Strategy Call to explore how this fits into your team’s goals.
Keep the Conversation Going
Want to explore how your district can lead AI integration with clarity and support?
Learn more about the AI in Education Course & Innovator's Network, a 3-10 contact hour certificated course + 1-year implementation support designed for future-ready educators and teams. Educators can choose their own journey and have fun learning AI with a community of educators at their own pace.
Click here to join the waitlist and get enrolled in the next cohort of the AI in Education Course & Innovator's Network. We can't wait to see you there!
Final Thought
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers right now. It’s about building the systems and support to ask better questions so we can take action on what matters most.
