K–12 AI Literacy and Readiness Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- S. 5225
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-08-04: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-08-20T11:20:35Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of S. 5225: K-12 AI Literacy and Readiness Act of 2026
Purpose
This legislation amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to expand the permissible uses of certain federal education funds. It aims to support instruction and professional development on the use of artificial intelligence in K-12 settings, provided such use is safe, effective, and responsible.
Key Provisions
- State-level student instruction funds: Adds a new category under Section 4104(b)(3)(A)(i) allowing funds for teaching students about artificial intelligence in a safe, effective, and responsible manner.
- State-level teacher and leader support: Adds a new category under Section 4104(b)(3)(C) permitting funds for training teachers, paraprofessionals, school librarians, specialized instructional support personnel, and administrators on using and teaching artificial intelligence safely, effectively, and responsibly, including through professional development.
- Local-level student instruction funds: Adds a new category under Section 4107(a)(3) allowing funds for instruction on artificial intelligence use in a safe, effective, and responsible manner.
- Local-level teacher and leader support: Adds a new category under Section 4109(a) permitting funds for training the same groups of school staff on artificial intelligence use and teaching, including professional development.
- The term "artificial intelligence" is defined by reference to Section 5002 of the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 (15 U.S.C. 9401).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces explicit new allowable uses of funds that were not previously listed in the affected sections of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
- Redesignates existing subclauses and subparagraphs to accommodate the additions without altering prior categories.
- Applies to both state and local education agency activities funded under the Act, focusing on curriculum expenses related to artificial intelligence.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Enables states and local education agencies to allocate existing federal funds toward artificial intelligence education without needing new appropriations, potentially affecting how Title IV funds are distributed and reported.
- Citizens: May increase access for students to artificial intelligence literacy programs and for educators to receive related training, depending on how states and districts choose to use the funds.
- International relations: No direct provisions or effects are outlined in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- State education agencies responsible for allocating and overseeing funds.
- Local school districts and schools implementing the new allowable uses.
- Teachers, paraprofessionals, school librarians, specialized instructional support personnel, and administrators receiving training.
- K-12 students participating in artificial intelligence-related instruction.
- The U.S. Department of Education in administering the amended provisions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill makes targeted amendments to an existing federal education statute, expanding the scope of permissible expenditures under established funding streams.
- It introduces no new regulatory requirements, mandates, or restrictions beyond adding optional uses of funds.
- No constitutional issues, such as federalism concerns or rights-based provisions, are addressed in the text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC], Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
Recent Actions
- 2026-08-04: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2026-08-04: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- K–12 AI Literacy and Readiness Act of 2026 — issued 2026-08-04 — PDF (4 pages)