Paterson Schools Join $1M Google-UPenn Program to Train Teachers on AI
Paterson Public Schools is one of five school districts selected for the Pioneering AI in School Systems (PASS) program, a partnership between Google and the University of Pennsylvania designed to help educators integrate artificial intelligence into classrooms responsibly.
The program provides training on a question schools nationwide are grappling with: how to teach students to use AI without creating dependency on the technology. Paterson, New Jersey's fourth-largest district with roughly 1,824 certified teachers, will begin initial training in June, running through October.
What the Training Covers
The program operates on three tiers. Two tiers coach school and district leaders on supporting their teaching staff. The third tier targets classroom teachers directly with a five-week course that includes online discussions and Zoom sessions with trainers and colleagues.
Paterson plans to create a dedicated team to coordinate AI integration across teaching and operations. The district will focus on ensuring AI tools are used effectively and ethically while evaluating best practices for K-12 education.
The Core Problem
Teachers across the country have received little to no training on how to use AI in their classrooms. Betty Chandy of the University of Pennsylvania's Catalyst center, which studies education innovation, said the challenge extends beyond tools. "We need more than just tools - we need a scalable strategy for human capacity," she said.
Schools worry that over-reliance on AI for homework removes what experts call "productive struggle" - the learning that happens when students work through difficult problems. This can lead to incomplete learning and cognitive decline.
The PASS program aims to help schools design assignments that use AI to increase engagement rather than create opportunities for plagiarism. "Our goal is to ensure that as AI evolves, our educators are equipped to use these tools to enhance student learning while maintaining the highest standards of data privacy and instructional integrity," said Aida Rosario, a Paterson Public Schools spokesperson.
Other districts in the program are located in Delaware and Pennsylvania. The program was piloted in Philadelphia schools before expanding to the five selected districts.
For educators looking to build foundational knowledge, resources like the AI Learning Path for Teachers offer structured guidance on integrating AI into instruction.
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