On October 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) released its Artificial Intelligence (A)) Toolkit for Safe, Ethical, and Equitable AI Integration, aimed at K-12 school leaders. This toolkit implements recommendations from the DOE’s May 2023 report, Artificial Intelligence in the Future of Teaching and Learning, offering crucial guidance for the effective use of AI in educational settings. It addresses essential topics including; privacy, civil rights, accessibility, and strategies for planning AI integration.

The DOE toolkit emphasizes transparency, awareness, and the need for a strategic approach to AI, outlining ten key modules that cover everything from understanding risks to developing an organization-wide AI action plan.

In California, various legislative initiatives encourage the integration of AI literacy into education, some key bills include:

  • AB 2876: Requires the CDE to consider developing and incorporating AI literacy standards into the existing digital literacy curriculum, preparing students for a technology-driven future.
  • SB 1288: Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to convene working groups on AI in public schools and develop guidance, a model policy, and best practices for the safe and effective use of AI education, ensuring it enhances educational quality without negatively impacting students or education.

As California school districts consider aligning their programs and educational frameworks with the DOE's toolkit and ongoing legislative efforts, developing a comprehensive understanding of AI’s implications is vital. Schools should consider taking proactive steps to review these resources and explore how they may choose to integrate AI literacy into their programs. For a comprehensive overview of CDE's initiatives and resources, visit the CDE’s AI information page.

What You Can Do:

  1. Explore the DOE Toolkit: Familiarize yourself with the ten modules to understand how they can guide your district’s potential AI integration efforts.
  2. Engage with Legislative Resources: Review the various bills and guidelines that support AI integration in education, emphasizing the importance of ethical practices and digital literacy.
  3. Utilize Available Resources: The CDE has released a resource kit titled Artificial Intelligence, Learning With AI, Learning About AI, which offers valuable insights and guidance for schools looking to implement AI effectively.

By engaging with these resources, California school districts can proactively address liability concerns related to AI integration, ensuring safe, ethical, and equitable practices. This approach can reduce potential risks associated with privacy, civil rights, and the ethical use of AI in educational settings. For questions about these resources, please contact Scarlett Sadler.