School Districts Adopt Varied AI Strategies as Federal Support Grows
Artificial intelligence is increasingly present in classrooms nationwide, but district responses differ. Some focus on restricting AI to prevent misuse in student work, while others embrace it to prepare learners for future careers. The central question remains: how to integrate AI without undermining education quality or trust.
Earlier this year, President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education. This group is charged with promoting AI integration in education, providing comprehensive training for educators, and encouraging early exposure to AI to build a workforce ready for AI technologies.
The U.S. Department of Education has clarified that federal education funds can support AI initiatives, such as adaptive instructional tools and personalized learning resources, as long as they comply with existing rules. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has emphasized grant prioritization for AI projects, highlighting the need for ethical safeguards and collaboration with parents and teachers to ensure responsible use.
Hancock Place School District’s Structured AI Implementation
In Hancock Place School District (St. Louis, Missouri), AI use follows a formal, board-approved policy. The district serves nearly 1,300 students and has adopted tools like Brisk, which assists teachers with curriculum and feedback, and Snorkl, which provides AI-driven student feedback.
They appointed an AI coordinator and hosted a regional AI Educator Summit, attracting over 160 educators from 16 districts. The focus is on training staff to use AI effectively for feedback, writing support, engagement, and differentiated instruction.
Closing the Achievement Gap with AI in Central Square School District
In New York’s Central Square School District, AI plays a key role in addressing the widened post-pandemic achievement gap among its 3,600 students. Superintendent Tom Colabufo notes that AI streamlines lesson planning aligned with state standards while addressing diverse student needs, including IEPs and accommodations for disabilities.
He challenges the notion that AI use equates to cheating, emphasizing the importance of authentic assessment methods that reveal true student ability. AI tools analyze student work securely, providing instant feedback and intervention strategies, which help teachers focus energy where it’s most needed.
Colabufo shared a personal example: his son used ChatGPT for step-by-step math assistance, demonstrating AI as a resource rather than a shortcut.
Experts Advocate Proactive AI Policies in Schools
Despite federal signals supporting AI funding, some districts remain cautious, forming task forces or awaiting clearer guidelines. Karle Delo, AI strategist at Michigan Virtual, advises districts to create AI workgroups to establish policies addressing academic integrity, cheating, and misinformation.
Delo stresses that ignoring AI won’t solve these challenges. Instead, understanding the technology enables schools and teachers to guide students toward responsible use. She encourages educators to familiarize themselves with AI tools to have informed discussions and manage classroom impacts effectively.
A 2024 National Education Association report echoes this balanced approach, emphasizing that authentic teacher-student relationships and trust are foundational. The report warns against reducing this to merely “keeping humans in the loop,” highlighting student well-being as irreplaceable by any AI system.
AI is now embedded in many educational contexts beyond ChatGPT, making it a necessary skill for students and educators alike.
For educators and administrators looking to deepen their AI knowledge and skills, training resources are available at Complete AI Training, offering courses tailored to education professionals seeking practical AI applications.
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