On July 22, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education released a Dear Colleague Letter detailing Secretary of Education Linda McMahon’s fourth priority for the U.S. Department of Education’s discretionary federal grants during her tenure: to improve outcomes for learners through the responsible integration of artificial intelligence (or, AI).
This new priority augments the initial three supplemental grant priorities announced earlier this year: (1) evidence-based literacy, (2) expanding educational choice, and (3) returning education authority to the states (90 FR 21710, May 21, 2025).
The Secretary proposes to use this new AI-focused priority in current discretionary grant programs and in any such federal grant programs that may be authorized in the future. The Secretary seeks to prioritize grant funding for the integration of AI into three key areas: instructional materials, high-impact tutoring, and career preparation and exploration. Specifically, the proposed priority outlines several areas of focus for future projects, including the following:
- Integrate AI literacy into teaching practices to improve student outcomes;
- Expand AI and computer science education in K-12 schools and higher education institutions;
- Support professional development for educators on teaching AI and computer science fundamentals;
- Encourage the offering of dual-enrollment course opportunities to earn post-secondary credentials and industry-recognized credentials in AI coursework;
- Build evidence of appropriate methods of integrating AI into education;
- Use AI to personalize learning and support differentiated instruction, such as for students with disabilities or students below grade level; and
- Promote efficiency in school operations by using AI to reduce time-intensive administrative tasks.
This new priority for the Department follows the April 23, 2025 presidential executive order, Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth, which established a national policy to promote AI literacy, and directed the Department of Education to integrate AI into grant programs, teacher training, apprenticeships, and K‑12 curricula to build an “AI‑ready workforce.”
The Department’s fourth priority, proposed by Secretary McMahon, with its related definitions, is now published in the Federal Register and is open for public comment at Regulations.gov until August 20, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST.
