Key points:
Educational technology and digital learning tools are classroom essentials, and each day, educators make decisions surrounding how to integrate edtech intentionally and effectively–particularly as AI makes its way into districts across the nation.
Districts are approaching AI use and integration at different speeds. The annual Educator Confidence Report from HMH includes for the first time an AI Confidence Index, which examines how educators feel about the impact and potential of generative AI. In just one year, educators’ use of generative AI increased 5x.
Of the 50 percent of surveyed educators who use generative AI, 72 percent plan to use it even more in the next school year; 76 percent believe generative AI is at least somewhat valuable to their work, and 73 percent say it saves them time. Educators overwhelmingly agree that tools using generative AI should be harnessed positively, with users taught to use them ethically (84 percent).
Here’s a look at AI integration in states, districts, and schools across the country:
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction “released a guidebook on artificial intelligence, which that included a set of recommendations. Beyond that, the districts were encouraged to set up their own,” according to reporting by WBTV in Charlotte. “Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools does not allow ChatGPT or any other AI programs on any school devices. Iredell-Statesville Schools allows some use among teachers, but not students.”
Looking closer at North Carolina, Pitt County Schools adopted a color-coded AI use system to help students determine if their use of AI tools is acceptable, or if a given assignment is best completed in an AI-free manner.
“The Santa Fe school board unveiled a plan last week to guide teachers on using AI in the classroom, including a pilot program to provide up to 1,000 students with AI tutoring software,” according to reporting in the Santa Fe New Mexican. That plan “involves providing teachers with AI tools to help in the classroom and a guided spectrum on how much AI use is acceptable for students on a scale from zero to four – zero, meaning the assignment allows students no aid from AI, and four, meaning students have full use of AI as a ‘co-pilot to enhance human creativity.’”
In Tennessee, the Kingsport Board of Education “approved a policy regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by students and teachers. The policy allows students and staff to use AI but sets guidelines for its use,” according to WJHL. “Under the policy, only approved AI programs may be used in student instruction or in completing student work.” In addition to faculty and staff use, the story notes that “teachers may also allow students to use AI as long as it is in line with ‘approved instructional standards and curriculum.’ The policy requires teachers to instruct students on the appropriate and responsible use of AI beforehand.”
The Colorado Roadmap for AI in K-12 Education is designed to support local school districts in developing their own approaches to AI integration. It emphasizes flexibility and adaptability, acknowledging the rapid pace of technological change and the importance of continuous learning and improvement. It focuses on areas such as elevating academic rigor and fostering deep learning emphasizing student and faculty engagement and inclusion, developing policy for transparent and ethical use, and prioritizes conditions for school districts to learn rapidly from each other and from early adopters. The roadmap also addresses the challenges associated with AI, such as data privacy, bias, and the role of human interaction in education.
In Michigan’s Fenton Area Public Schools, staff may use AI in ethical and responsible ways. “‘With respect to students, it is the Board’s policy that they are required to rely on their own knowledge, skills, and resources when completing school work,’ according to the district’s policies. Students are prohibited from using AI and natural language processing tools without permission from teachers,” according to the TC Times. “’The use of AI/NLP tools without the express permission/consent of a teacher is considered to undermine the learning and problem-solving skills that are essential to a student’s academic success and that the staff is tasked to develop in each student.’ Students are allowed to use AI for research assistance, data analysis, language translation, writing assistance, and accessibility.”
