National Parents Union Launches First-of-Its-Kind AI Policy Tool for Families

Share

New resource gives families actionable guidance and personalized advocacy tools to demand transparency, safety, and accountability in how AI is used in classrooms

Washington, D.C., May 27, 2026 – The National Parents Union (NPU) today launched its comprehensive AI Policy Framework, a resource and advocacy platform that helps families understand, evaluate, and send personalized messages to principals, superintendents, governors, and lawmakers calling for responsible artificial intelligence use in classrooms nationwide.

“AI is already in our kids’ classrooms. The problem is that most parents found out the same way we always do, which is too late. As this technology spreads at lightning speed, families are being left out of the decisions that shape what their children learn, what data gets collected, and who profits from it”, said Keri Rodrigues, President of the National Parents Union. “That’s why NPU’s new tool changes that math. Parents and families across the country have been asking the hard questions and pushing superintendents, governors, and even Members of Congress to embrace the promise of this technology while making sure our kids stay safe. This new framework puts the right questions in their hands, demands our educators are trained and ready, and helps prepare our children to be the global leaders we need them to be in this new era.”

The urgency is not theoretical. NPU’s February 2026 survey of 1,511 K–12 public school parents shows a system moving fast and leaving families behind: only 37% say their child’s school has shared any AI policy information, and just 30% say they’ve been asked for input, even as 79% want a voice. At the same time, roughly two-thirds of parents are calling for stronger data protections, including clearer transparency, better privacy safeguards, timely notifications, and a meaningful say in the process.

The AI Policy Tool goes beyond the buzzwords and delivers concrete, actionable guidance for parents navigating an evolving education landscape that is changing day by day. Key features include:

  • The Traffic Light Framework and Real-World Use –  A clear, parent-friendly system outlining what AI should do, should not do, and must never do in schools, paired with concrete examples of how teachers and staff are already using these tools in classrooms.

  • What Strong AI Policies Must Guarantee –  The non-negotiables every district should have in writing, including data minimization, transparency on how tools are used, limits on vendors, and clear accountability for student safety and outcomes.

  • Know Your Rights: Consent, Questions, and Oversight –  What families need to expect before AI is introduced – explicit, informed consent; clear communication on data use; and the key questions parents should be asking school and district leaders.

  • The Gaps Putting Students at Risk –  Where most school AI policies fall short, including unchecked data collection, lack of transparency, and insufficient safeguards against bias and surveillance.

  • Advocacy Toolkit – Resources to help parents push for stronger protections, organize locally, and hold school systems accountable

“This is not another think tank product that sits on a shelf,” Rodrigues added. “This is built by parents, for parents, and it puts real power where it belongs. AI is not coming to our classrooms. It is already there. The only question left is whether families have a voice in how it gets used, and starting today, the answer is yes.”

The launch comes as schools nationwide experiment with AI-powered instructional tools, raising urgent questions about data privacy, bias, transparency, and student well-being – often without parents and families included in the process.

###

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARENTS UNION
With more than 1,800 affiliated parent organizations in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, the National Parents Union is the united, independent voice of modern American families. We channel the power of parents into powerful policies that improve the lives of children, families and communities across the United States. https://nationalparentsunion.org/