OpenAI Launches ChatGPT for K–12 Educators, Free Through 2027

OpenAI introduced ChatGPT for Teachers, a dedicated workspace for K–12 educators and school leaders that bundles classroom-ready AI tools, collaboration features and education-grade privacy protections. Verified U.S. teachers get free access through June 2027, and districts can adopt managed accounts with admin controls designed to meet FERPA and other education requirements.

What the new offering includes

ChatGPT for Teachers brings core ChatGPT capabilities into a workspace tailored for schools. Teachers can use unlimited messages with GPT-5.1 Auto, upload files, connect to Google Drive or Microsoft 365, generate images and build lessons with Canva. The workspace also supports shared projects, custom GPTs for templates and classroom collaboration, and examples and prompts contributed by real teachers.

OpenAI states that content shared in ChatGPT for Teachers is not used to train models by default and that the workspace includes education-grade privacy, security and compliance programmes to support FERPA requirements. School and district leaders can claim their domain, use SAML single sign-on and set role-based access so teachers and staff work in a controlled environment.

Teachers and districts involved in the rollout

OpenAI is launching ChatGPT for Teachers with a first cohort of districts that together represent nearly 150,000 educators and staff. District partners include Houston Independent School District, Fairfax County Public Schools and Capistrano Unified School District. The company says district feedback will shape implementation and support materials as the product scales.

“Whether our staff are longtime ChatGPT users or just getting started, this is an exciting step forward. They will have access to trusted AI tools that help them save time, think bigger, and focus on what matters most: supporting our students and community.”,  Kerri Holt, Chief Technology Officer, Houston ISD

OpenAI supplied classroom examples from educators using ChatGPT to plan multi-week units, generate graded example responses, and map ISTE standards to curriculum. These use cases illustrate how teachers can save prep time, create differentiated materials, and standardise assessment scaffolds while keeping classroom context and curriculum files available in the workspace.

Training, verification and district controls

U.S. K–12 teachers can get verified via a third-party service to access the free workspace. Districts can claim domains to centralise accounts and invite staff. Admin features include role-based permissions and SAML SSO, enabling local IT teams to manage access and align the tool with district policies.

To support responsible use, OpenAI is releasing an AI Literacy Blueprint for school leaders and policymakers that outlines teacher-led, practical steps to introduce AI in classrooms. The product also builds on OpenAI’s partnerships with education groups and ministries, including work with the American Federation of Teachers and district cohorts.

“When AI tools are designed around what educators actually need in their classrooms, they create real opportunities to support teaching and learning. ChatGPT for Teachers demonstrates that principle in action. As resources like this become part of teachers' daily workflows, thoughtful training will be essential to help educators use them confidently and creatively. At ISTE, we're committed to supporting the field as teachers lead the way in shaping effective and responsible AI use for learning.” — Richard Culatta, CEO, ISTE+ASCD

Future consideration

Key issues for districts include how long-term pricing might change after June 2027, how model outputs are audited for accuracy and bias, and what training and monitoring will look like at scale. OpenAI says any pricing adjustments will come with advance notice so schools can plan. The company also emphasises that ChatGPT for Teachers will not use workspace content to train models by default.

If districts adopt managed workspaces at scale, teachers could reclaim prep hours and use AI to personalise instruction. The immediate test will be how well the tools integrate with existing LMS, curriculum standards and assessment practices, and how districts ensure academic integrity while encouraging meaningful use of AI.