It took Google less than a day to go from “schools are in control” to explaining what, exactly, schools are in control of.
What was announced
On 3 November, Google said Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom and Google Search will be off by default for K-12 student accounts, until administrators switch them on. The opt-in starts in early 2027. Until now, the Gemini tools were automatically active for schools using Google Classroom.
That sounds like a win for worried teachers. The catch came in an interview with The New York Times, where education chief Chris Phillips said “Search and A.I. are deeply integrated.” Schools opting out of AI, he said, would lose Search as well, and students would just see a message saying it isn't available.
The backlash
Reaction was quick. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said Google had put its business interests ahead of children's education. Josh Golin of the advocacy group Fairplay accused it of trying “to strong-arm schools.”
Later that day, Google clarified: schools can turn on Search by itself, without the Gemini products.
The asterisk
Search still comes with its AI attached. Schools can't remove AI Overviews, the summaries at the top of results, or AI Mode. So a school that wants plain, old-fashioned search has one way to get it: no Google Search at all.
Google says the AI features will guide students through problems step by step rather than hand over answers. Teachers will no doubt check that claim the traditional way: by reading the homework.