Protecting students in the age of AI: A new school standard
On September 9, 2026, AFT President Randi Weingarten, United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew, and Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith announced the National AI Safety & Privacy Standard, a pioneering agreement to protect students, families, and educators. Developed amid a lack of federal and state AI regulations in education and following New York City Public Schools’ ban on screens and AI, the agreement sets legally enforceable rules: tech companies cannot use student data to train AI, students cannot be tracked, AI decisions require human oversight, and parents and educators are guaranteed transparency and plain-language explanations about AI tools. U.S. school districts can embed these protections directly into Microsoft contracts, ensuring enforceability.
Weingarten emphasized the agreement’s strength, stating it provides real, enforceable privacy protections and transparency, building on NYC’s adoption of a framework banning screens and AI for young students. The agreement’s three core priorities are protecting privacy (ensuring student and educator data remains under school control and is not used for AI training or sold), enhancing safety (requiring strong safeguards and human oversight to prevent harmful AI experiences), and providing transparency and control (families receive clear information about AI use and schools retain control over deployment).
Mulgrew highlighted that the agreement empowers school districts to terminate contracts and seek damages from companies violating the rules, leveling the playing field in a fast-evolving tech landscape. The AFT’s previous efforts include the 2024 Commonsense Guardrails for Using Advanced Technology in Schools and the establishment of the National Academy for AI Instruction, which offers educators training on AI tools and student safety. Weingarten noted that existing laws like HIPAA and FERPA do not address AI, underscoring the need for tech companies to take responsibility.
Fact sheets and the full agreement are available online. Microsoft, a leader in AI-powered platforms and tools, commits to responsible innovation and empowering people and organizations worldwide.