OpenAI is rolling out a dedicated version of ChatGPT for K-12 educators and keeping it free through June 2027. The company wants school staff to rely on it for routine classroom tasks and to handle preparation that usually takes hours. This version works inside a controlled workspace that meets education privacy rules, including FERPA requirements, which schools already follow when managing student records.
Teachers get unlimited access to GPT-5.1 Auto and all the tools normally found in the consumer version. That includes file uploads, image generation, connectors, and access to stored preferences. They can also pull files from Google Drive or Microsoft 365 and build presentations through Canva without leaving the workspace. The layout is built around everyday classroom tasks, so the workflow starts with teaching materials rather than generic prompts.
OpenAI says teachers have been among the earliest groups to use ChatGPT. Its internal numbers show that many educators already rely on AI tools each week and report saving measurable time. ChatGPT for Teachers attempts to turn those scattered habits into a structured system that fits a school environment. It brings teachers together under one managed account, gives district leaders admin controls, and blocks shared data from being used to train models by default.
The push extends beyond teachers. OpenAI is offering ChatGPT Edu to schools as a broader institutional option and continues to promote Study Mode for students. This new release follows earlier partnerships with groups like the American Federation of Teachers and pilot programs in places such as Estonia and Greece. The goal in each case is consistent. Schools get a framework for responsible use, along with training material that helps staff understand AI basics.
The feature list leans heavily on collaboration. Teachers can create shared projects, build templates as custom GPTs, and work inside group spaces when planning units or reviewing files. The workspace also surfaces examples from real educators whenever someone starts a new chat, so staff can see how others have used the tool without hunting through documentation.
To support a controlled rollout, OpenAI is working with the first cohort of districts representing nearly 150,000 teachers and staff. These districts include Capistrano, Dallas, Fairfax County, Fulton County, Houston, Humble, Idaho Digital Learning Alliance, and several KIPP regions. Each one is supplying feedback on classroom needs, which OpenAI plans to use in future updates.
Teachers and staff at U.S. K-12 schools can apply for verification through SheerID and open a workspace that allows them to invite colleagues. The free period runs through June 2027. Pricing may change after that point, though OpenAI states that it intends to keep the service affordable and will notify schools well in advance of any updates.
The broader effort reflects a simple belief inside the company. AI only helps in education when teachers shape how it is used. By giving them a secure system, flexible tools, and time to experiment, OpenAI hopes to make AI a normal part of classroom planning rather than a fringe add-on.
Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools with human oversight.
Read next: A Small Pilot Signals YouTube’s Renewed Interest in Built-In Messaging
Teachers get unlimited access to GPT-5.1 Auto and all the tools normally found in the consumer version. That includes file uploads, image generation, connectors, and access to stored preferences. They can also pull files from Google Drive or Microsoft 365 and build presentations through Canva without leaving the workspace. The layout is built around everyday classroom tasks, so the workflow starts with teaching materials rather than generic prompts.
OpenAI says teachers have been among the earliest groups to use ChatGPT. Its internal numbers show that many educators already rely on AI tools each week and report saving measurable time. ChatGPT for Teachers attempts to turn those scattered habits into a structured system that fits a school environment. It brings teachers together under one managed account, gives district leaders admin controls, and blocks shared data from being used to train models by default.
The push extends beyond teachers. OpenAI is offering ChatGPT Edu to schools as a broader institutional option and continues to promote Study Mode for students. This new release follows earlier partnerships with groups like the American Federation of Teachers and pilot programs in places such as Estonia and Greece. The goal in each case is consistent. Schools get a framework for responsible use, along with training material that helps staff understand AI basics.
The feature list leans heavily on collaboration. Teachers can create shared projects, build templates as custom GPTs, and work inside group spaces when planning units or reviewing files. The workspace also surfaces examples from real educators whenever someone starts a new chat, so staff can see how others have used the tool without hunting through documentation.
To support a controlled rollout, OpenAI is working with the first cohort of districts representing nearly 150,000 teachers and staff. These districts include Capistrano, Dallas, Fairfax County, Fulton County, Houston, Humble, Idaho Digital Learning Alliance, and several KIPP regions. Each one is supplying feedback on classroom needs, which OpenAI plans to use in future updates.
Teachers and staff at U.S. K-12 schools can apply for verification through SheerID and open a workspace that allows them to invite colleagues. The free period runs through June 2027. Pricing may change after that point, though OpenAI states that it intends to keep the service affordable and will notify schools well in advance of any updates.
The broader effort reflects a simple belief inside the company. AI only helps in education when teachers shape how it is used. By giving them a secure system, flexible tools, and time to experiment, OpenAI hopes to make AI a normal part of classroom planning rather than a fringe add-on.
Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools with human oversight.
Read next: A Small Pilot Signals YouTube’s Renewed Interest in Built-In Messaging
