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HR 8747

K–12 AI Literacy and Readiness Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Randy Fine

Expands ESEA funds to teach AI literacy,允许 safe, effective use in classrooms and mandatory PD for teachers and staff to build capacity for AI instruction.

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
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Bill Summary · HR 8747

Summary of HR 8747 — K–12 AI Literacy and Readiness Act of 2026

Purpose and intent

  • Add artificial intelligence (AI) components to K–12 education by expanding permissible uses of federal funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965.
  • Emphasize safe, effective, and responsible use of AI in classrooms, and ensure educators and school staff receive training to implement AI-related instruction.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Permissible uses of funds for AI in student instruction (Section 4104(b)(3)(A)(i))

    • Expands the list of allowable uses to include “the use of artificial intelligence … in a manner that is safe, effective, and responsible.”
    • This change appears in the state-level allowable uses for student instruction.

  2. Professional development and capacity-building for staff (Section 4104(b)(3)(C))

    • Adds a new subclause (vii) under existing provisions for staff development:
      • Funds may be used to provide 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 AI safely, effectively, and responsibly.
      • Includes provision for professional development (PD).

  3. Local allowable uses for student instruction (Section 4107(a)(3))

    • Adds a new subparagraph (J) allowing instruction on the use of AI (as defined by the National AI Initiative Act of 2020) in a safe, effective, and responsible manner.

  4. Local allowable uses for teachers and school leaders (Section 4109(a))

    • Adds a new paragraph (7) permitting funds to be used to provide staff with the knowledge and skills to use and teach AI safely, effectively, and responsibly, including through professional development.

  5. Definitions reference

    • Throughout the bill, AI implementation is tied to the definition of AI as defined in section 5002 of the National AI Initiative Act of 2020 (15 U.S.C. 9401).

Who is affected

  • Students: Gain access to instruction that includes AI concepts and use, with an emphasis on safety, effectiveness, and responsibility.
  • Educators and school staff: Teachers, paraprofessionals, librarians/media staff, specialized instructional support personnel, and administrators receive funding for training and professional development on AI use and instruction.
  • School systems and districts: Eligible to use federal funds under ESEA for AI-related curriculum and staff development, aligning AI literacy with instructional programs.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: May 12, 2026.
  • Committee action: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce; Mark-up and consideration occurred later, with a reported amendment.
  • Recent action: As of July 21, 2026, HR 8747 was ordered to be reported (amended) by a committee vote of 18 yeas to 15 nays.

Notes on scope and implementation

  • The bill focuses on integrating AI literacy and readiness into existing ESEA-funded activities, not creating a standalone program.
  • It emphasizes safe, responsible, and effective AI usage, aligning with guidelines from the National AI Initiative Act of 2020.
  • Changes are primarily about expanding allowable uses of funds and mandating PD to build capacity among educators and school leaders.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current ESEA permissive-use provisions or outline potential implementation considerations for districts.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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