Data Insights from the RAND Survey Panels

ResearchPublished Jan 29, 2026

RAND administers several survey panels that are dedicated to collecting and disseminating state-of-the-art survey data. For each survey panel, RAND uses high-quality recruitment and statistical methods and reaches a nationally representative sample of key populations. Panel members complete surveys on issues that are critical to policymakers, public officials, and researchers. The following figures are derived from RAND Survey Panels data. This page is updated periodically with new data.

Published Apr 23, 2026

Published Mar 23, 2026

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Published Feb 24, 2026

Students are increasingly concerned about the effect AI has on their critical thinking skills, but superintendents are much less concerned

Percentage of students (ages 12 to 29) and superintendents who agreed or strongly agreed that using AI for schoolwork will harm students' critical thinking skills

A. Superintendents

B. Students overall

C. Middle school students

D. High school students

E. Postsecondary students

NOTE: Panel A depicts response data from the following survey question administered to nationally representative samples of school district representatives in October 2024 and October 2025: “How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The more students use generative artificial intelligence systems such as ChatGPT for their schoolwork, the more it will impede the development of their critical thinking skills.” Panels B–E depict response data from the following survey question administered to nationally representative samples of students in February 2025 and December 2025: “How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The more students use AI (such as ChatGPT) for their schoolwork, the more it will harm their critical thinking skills.” There are differences in the composition of survey respondents between the two dates for these panels. In particular, the December 2025 survey sampled more older students who were more likely to be in postsecondary education. Data in Panel E should be interpreted with caution; the February 2025 sample size is particularly small. In each panel, the percentage who strongly agree and the percentage who agree may not add up to the combined total because of rounding. AI = artificial intelligence.

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Published Feb 20, 2026

Published Jan 29, 2026

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Document Details

  • Release Date: Jan 29, 2026
  • Last Modified: Apr 23, 2026
  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Document Number: RR-A4711-1

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Data Insights from the RAND Survey Panels. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2026. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA4711-1.html.
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This work was conducted by the Education and Employment Program of RAND Education, Employment, and Infrastructure.

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