S. 5225 – K–12 AI Literacy and Readiness Act of 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated August 7, 2026 at 11:48 PM UTC

The K‑12 AI Literacy and Readiness Act of 2026 amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to let federal education funds be used for artificial‑intelligence (AI) curriculum and related teacher training. It aims to ensure that students receive instruction on AI and that educators acquire the skills to teach AI safely and responsibly. The changes affect K‑12 schools, teachers, paraprofessionals, librarians, media staff, and administrators who receive federal education funding.

Key Provisions

Adds AI instruction as an allowable use of federal funds for student instruction at both state and local levels, requiring the teaching to be safe, effective, and responsible.
Authorizes professional development for teachers, paraprofessionals, librarians, media personnel, specialized instructional staff, and administrators to learn how to use and teach AI safely, effectively, and responsibly.
Amends specific sections of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to insert the new AI language and renumber existing clauses accordingly.

Legislative Activity

Stay on top of the latest movement without scrolling through every action

1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

August 4, 2026

View full timeline

SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

August 4, 2026

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

August 4, 2026

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

Reading Mode

Raw Text PDF XML

Introduced in SenateIssued August 4, 2026

II

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 5225

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

August 4, 2026

Mr. Sheehy (for himself, Mr. Budd, Mr. Tuberville, and Mrs. Blackburn) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

A BILL

To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to include certain curriculum expenses as permissible uses of funds, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the K–12 AI Literacy and Readiness Act of 2026.

2.

Allowing funds for artificial intelligence curricula

(a)

State allowable uses for student instruction

Section 4104(b)(3)(A)(i) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7114(b)(3)(A)(i)) is amended—

(1)

in subclause (VI), by striking or after the semicolon;

(2)

by redesignating subclause (VII) as subclause (VIII); and

(3)

by inserting after subclause (VI) the following:

(VII)

the use of artificial intelligence (as defined in section 5002 of the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 (15 U.S.C. 9401)) in a manner that is safe, effective, and responsible; or

.

(b)

State allowable uses for teachers and school leaders

Section 4104(b)(3)(C) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7114(b)(3)(C)) is amended—

(1)

in clause (v), by striking and after the semicolon;

(2)

in clause (vi), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(vii)

providing teachers, paraprofessionals, school librarians and media personnel, specialized instructional support personnel, and administrators with the knowledge and skills to use, and teach the use of, artificial intelligence (as defined in section 5002 of the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 (15 U.S.C. 9401)) safely, effectively, and responsibly, including through professional development.

.

(c)

Local allowable uses for student instruction

Section 4107(a)(3) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7117(a)(3)) is amended—

(1)

in subparagraph (I), by striking or after the semicolon;

(2)

by redesignating subparagraph (J) as subparagraph (K); and

(3)

by inserting after subparagraph (I) the following:

(J)

instruction on the use of artificial intelligence (as defined in section 5002 of the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 (15 U.S.C. 9401)) in a manner that is safe, effective, and responsible; or

.

(d)

Local allowable uses for teachers and school leaders

Section 4109(a) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7119(a)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (5), by striking and after the semicolon;

(2)

in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(7)

providing teachers, paraprofessionals, school librarians and media personnel, specialized instructional support personnel, and administrators with the knowledge and skills to use, and teach the use of, artificial intelligence (as defined in section 5002 of the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 (15 U.S.C. 9401)) safely, effectively, and responsibly, including through professional development.

.