NYC and Los Angeles Pause Student AI Use Amid New APA Report

On September 2, New York City announced a one‑year moratorium on student‑facing generative AI for public elementary and middle schools, and the Los Angeles Unified School District announced a similar restriction for all grades for the 2026‑27 school year. The bans came after the American Psychological Association released a report urging thorough analysis of edtech tools, citing generative AI as a particular risk. The report, led by Nicole Barnes, warns that engagement data can mislead about learning effectiveness and calls for evidence that AI actually supports student learning. While 76% of middle‑school teachers and 73% of high‑school teachers report using AI weekly, the moratoriums represent a pause in the rapid adoption trend. Other large districts, such as Chicago Public Schools, Clark County School District, and Miami‑Dade County Public Schools, are exploring district‑approved, age‑appropriate AI tools with guidance and guidelines. Teachers see the restrictions as an opportunity for dialogue; Dan Clark of Lafayette Preparatory School notes that banning AI can spark critical discussions about the technology’s benefits and risks. Barnes recommends a community effort—teachers, leaders, districts, and policymakers—to develop clear evidence requirements, data protections, and expectations for claims about children’s learning before AI is reintroduced.