How AI can boost STEM education in underfunded schools

The integration of generative AI in STEM education presents a potential solution for addressing systemic funding gaps and educational disparities in U.S. public schools.

Current state of STEM education: The United States faces significant challenges in STEM education, ranking 28th out of 37 OECD countries in mathematics and 12th in science.

• Math scores have fallen by 13% since 2018, indicating a concerning downward trend in STEM performance
• STEM occupations are projected to grow at more than twice the rate of other occupations
• The number of blue-collar workers has increased since the pandemic, while school closures have become more frequent

Funding crisis impact: Public schools are experiencing severe financial constraints that disproportionately affect disadvantaged communities.

• States now allocate less of their economies to K-12 schools than before the Great Recession
• Schools lost approximately $360 billion between 2016 and 2021
• Black students are 3.5 times more likely to be in chronically underfunded school districts
• Low-income communities receive less funding due to lower property and income taxes

Teacher challenges: Educators in underfunded schools face multiple obstacles that affect their ability to provide quality STEM education.

• Large class sizes and overwhelming workloads contribute to teacher burnout
• Policies like California’s AB 1705 have eliminated foundational courses, creating additional burdens for instructors
• Limited resources make it difficult to provide individualized attention to students
• Administrative tasks consume valuable teaching time

AI solutions and benefits: Generative AI offers several practical applications to support both teachers and students.

• Functions as a digital teaching assistant to automate administrative tasks
• Provides targeted insights on student performance
• Offers personalized, on-demand learning experiences
• Creates a judgment-free space for students to explore challenging concepts
• Enables flexible “office hours” that accommodate student schedules

Implementation progress: Educational institutions are already seeing positive results from AI integration.

• K-12 schools and universities are implementing AI solutions with proper guardrails and instructor control
• Private sector initiatives, including Salesforce’s public education grants, are supporting AI integration
• Early data suggests positive effects on student learning outcomes
• Systems are being designed to complement rather than replace traditional teaching methods

Future implications: While generative AI shows promise in addressing educational disparities, its success will depend on thoughtful implementation and continued support from both public and private sectors to ensure equitable access and effective use across all school districts.