Back to School 2025–26: How AI Will Shape Your Child’s Year — and What You Can Do About It
A morning at the kitchen table
Tomorrow my daughter starts 2nd grade. I have a 7 year old daughter that is starting 2nd grade tomorrow and we've already started having discussions about working on AI projects together this year, even if the school doesn't teach anything about it. We folded lunchboxes, packed sneakers, and I tried to get a handle on what schools are actually doing about AI this fall. The truth: 2025–26 looks different. More classrooms will offer guided AI experiences, and if you're a parent like me, that means it's time to be prepared — not panicked.
Why 2025–26 feels like a turning point
The last two years moved AI from novelty to daily tool. States and districts are writing policies, districts are running pilots, and major curriculum providers are embedding AI helpers into lessons.
For example, Modesto City Schools formed an AI committee, published guidance for ethical use, and plans parent training sessions (GovTech: Modesto City Schools AI Integration — https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/ai-integration-at-modesto-schools-to-include-parent-training).
Pearson reports that AI study tools used in Connections Academy showed improved pass rates for some courses in 2024–25 (Pearson student outcomes report — https://plc.pearson.com/sites/pearson-corp/files/2025-08/ai-study-tool-report.pdf).
Districts like Iowa’s College Community are focusing on embedding AI across learning rather than only policing it (GovTech/College Community coverage). These examples show two things at once: schools want students to learn with AI, and leaders know they need guardrails.
Concrete examples on the ground
Modesto City Schools (CA): district AI committee, family training, and an AI guidebook for staff and students — see GovTech coverage (https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/ai-integration-at-modesto-schools-to-include-parent-training).
Pearson / Connections Academy: company data reporting gains in pass rates where an AI study assistant was embedded in curriculum (Pearson report — https://plc.pearson.com/sites/pearson-corp/files/2025-08/ai-study-tool-report.pdf).
College Community School District (Iowa): teacher professional development centered on practical classroom AI uses (GovTech article on Iowa teachers’ PD).
Stanford initiatives: research and pilots focused on AI tools for students with learning differences (Stanford Accelerate Learning report — https://acceleratelearning.stanford.edu).
AI-led curricula vs. traditional and private schools — what to expect
AI-led curricula can adapt to a student’s pace, offer instant feedback and free teachers from repetitive tasks so they can focus on coaching. That can mean faster remediation for a struggling reader or customized challenge for an advanced student. But there are real limits: models can be biased, they make up facts, and they can produce content that needs human review (Common Sense Media / Education Week risk assessments; see Education Week on AI teacher assistants — https://www.edweek.org/technology/are-ai-teacher-assistants-reliable-what-to-know/2025/08).
Private schools with bespoke programs may move faster and offer curated AI experiences (some private chains and new schools advertise intensive AI paths), but that also creates equity gaps. Bottom line: the best programs pair AI with teacher oversight, clear policies, and transparency — not a plug-and-play replacement for human instruction.
Practical at-home actions —
Starter projects by age Elementary (ages 7–10) — 3 simple starters
Teachable Image Classifier (3 sessions)
Tools: Google Teachable Machine (https://teachablemachine.withgoogle.com/).
Session 1: Take photos of four household objects with your child. Upload to Teachable Machine and label them.
Session 2: Train the model, test it live, and celebrate mistakes as learning moments.
Session 3: Use the classifier to make a short story where the model “chooses” the next plot twist. Why: visual, hands-on, low-text barrier; teaches patterns and testing.
Scratch + Cognimates mini-game (2–3 sessions)
Tools: MIT Scratch (https://scratch.mit.edu/) with Cognimates extensions (https://cognimates.me/).
Build: a simple quiz that uses a basic text classifier to sort messages (e.g., compliment vs. question).
Outcome: kids learn input/output and experiment safely.
Teens (ages 11–18) — 3 project ideas
Local-data chatbot (weekend project)
Tools: Open-source chatbot templates or Google NotebookLM for educators with guidance.
Task: Create a small bot that answers questions about your town using only verified local PDF/website files.
Focus: source citations and spotting hallucinations.
Creative prompt workshop (2 sessions)
Tools: ChatGPT / Gemini / Khan Academy AI sandbox (Khan Academy AI resources) for drafting, then human edit.
Task: Students write prompts, evaluate outputs, and rewrite for clarity — practice editing and critical evaluation.
Ethics case study (evening discussion)
Assign: a short research task exploring a real deepfake or misinformation case. Students present risks and mitigation.
Safety, privacy and ethics — rules that work at home
Set boundaries: allow AI use in shared spaces, not bedrooms; require teacher/parent permission for classroom tools that collect data.
Teach sourcing: always ask “Where’d you get that?” and cross-check facts against two reliable sources.
Explain hallucinations and deepfakes: models can invent plausible-sounding fiction; show examples and practice detection.
Privacy: avoid uploading photos with faces or school ID details to public models. Use school-approved tools when required.
Parental controls: use device-level time limits, supervised accounts for under-13s, and check school platform privacy statements.
Tools and resources — quick guide (pros / cons / ages)
Google Teachable Machine — Pros: instant, playful, no code; Cons: can use image data, so supervise uploads; Ages: 7+ (with adult help). (https://teachablemachine.withgoogle.com/)
MIT Scratch + Cognimates — Pros: familiar block coding, extensions for AI; Cons: limited to simple models; Ages: 7–14 (https://scratch.mit.edu/, https://cognimates.me/)
Code.org AI Units — Pros: structured lessons for classrooms and homes; Cons: varying depth by grade; Ages: 8+ (https://code.org)
Khan Academy AI & Khanmigo — Pros: tutoring-style, integrated with lessons; Cons: access models vary, check school subscription; Ages: 13+ for some tools (https://www.khanacademy.org)
Sora by OverDrive (student reading app) — Pros: school-friendly digital library, strong privacy controls; Cons: depends on district subscriptions; Ages: K–12 (https://www.overdrive.com/apps/sora)
How to advocate to your child’s school — practical questions and suggested policies
Questions to ask administrators/teachers:
Which AI tools will students use, and what data do they collect? Ask for vendor privacy docs.
Will families be asked to opt in or out? Can non-users receive equivalent assignments?
How will teachers verify AI outputs and teach source-checking? Suggested policies to request:
Transparency: public list of approved tools and data practices.
Opt-in for tools that store student data off-site.
Digital literacy curriculum that includes ethics, detection, and citation.
Balancing screens and real-world learning
Make tech purposeful: set a timer (30–45 minute focused sessions), follow with a hands-on project (pen-and-paper summary, sketch, or walk outside), and keep tech-free windows (meals, 30 minutes before bed).
Quick checklist — start the year confident about AI
Ask the school for its AI policy and approved tool list.
Run a small, supervised AI project at home (try Teachable Machine).
Set household rules for where and when AI can be used.
Teach your child to fact-check AI answers (two-source rule).
Protect privacy: no school photos or IDs to public tools.
Keep conversations open — ask what your child is using and why.
If unsure, request an opt-in alternative from the teacher.
Final thoughts
This school year will ask parents to be curious and firm at once. AI can help with reading, practice, and creativity — but only when adults stay in the loop. For me, that means folding lunchboxes tonight and planning a Teachable Machine session this weekend with my daughter. Small experiments, clear rules, and a willingness to ask administrators tough questions will go a long way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I block AI tools entirely? A: Not necessarily. Guided use with rules is safer and helps kids learn critical thinking. Blocking can drive use underground.
Q: Is AI cheating? A: It can be if used to avoid learning. Teach students to use AI as a tutor or draft tool, then do their own work and cite AI when used.
Q: How do I spot a deepfake? A: Look for mismatched audio/visual cues, odd lighting, and always verify against trusted news sources or official channels.
Q: What age is too young for AI? A: Supervised, playful exposure (image classifiers, Scratch) is appropriate for young kids. Conversational AI accounts generally require ages 13+ under many services.
How is your family approaching AI this school year? Share a project idea or question in the comments, or reach out and I’ll suggest a starter project tailored to your child’s age and interests.
About the Author
Warren Schuitema is a father, AI enthusiast, and founder of Matchless Marketing LLC. Passionate about leveraging technology to simplify family life, Warren has firsthand experience integrating AI solutions into his household. He has been testing tools like Cozi Family Organizer (Cozi), Ohai.ai (Ohai.ai), and other tools to coordinate schedules, automate household tasks, and create meaningful moments with his family. He has also created a handful of useful customGPTs for uses in family situations, such as meal planning, education, family traditions, and efficiency in the home. He is also an AI Certified Consultant that has been trained by industry experts across multiple areas of AI.
With a background in demand planning, forecasting, and digital marketing, Warren combines his professional expertise with his passion for AI-driven innovation. His practical approach emphasizes accessible solutions for busy parents looking to reduce stress and strengthen family bonds. Warren lives with his family, where devices like Google Home, Amazon Echo, and other AI-powered assistants help streamline their lives, showing that thoughtful technology can enhance harmony and efficiency.
