AI in Education
Updated: 2 days ago
Like many folks, I've been struggling to keep up with the ever-changing news about AI and where it’s headed. As a board member, I've also been thinking about the district's responsibility to guide staff and students toward using AI in ways that support real learning while protecting privacy and upholding academic integrity.
Good News: Legislation Is Here
(But the Impact Will Take Time)
Our state legislators have already taken meaningful steps to address this issue. In 2024:
Assemblymember Marc Berman's legislation directed the state to consider incorporating AI literacy into the math, science, and history-social science curriculum frameworks when they are next revised. With California's eight-year framework cycle, it could be a while before these changes reach classrooms.
Senator Josh Becker's legislation created a statewide AI working group. The group has already published guidance for schools and will report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature in December.
Our Work Ahead
As a board member, I'm focused on two things related to AI right now.
Policy: This is one of my first tools as a trustee. In January, the board adopted a simple AI policy, which I hope to revisit now that the state working group has released model policy language.
Design Team: This fall, I'll be joining the Future of AI & Technology in Education team, which will help shape how we use AI and other new technology in the classroom, from developing guidance for teachers to evaluating new tools. We'll meet on rotating Wednesdays after school, and the group is open to staff, families, and community members.
The district also has some real assets in our corner as we dive into the topic of AI: in addition to our excellent educators already doing this work, we hired a full-time certificated Librarian and Innovation Specialist, who will provide districtwide leadership on educational technology and AI. And Superintendent Erik Burmeister is a respected voice in EdTech, so our community is in good hands.
How Might AI Look in a Classroom?
When I first started reading about AI in schools, the concept of AI literacy was new to me. The idea is that by teaching students how AI actually works (by sorting, classifying, or recognizing patterns, for example), we help them build the foundation to use it responsibly. As the state puts it, AI literacy is "Learning about AI to learn with AI"; understanding what's behind the curtain helps students grasp AI's strengths, limitations, and ethical considerations.
Here's one example of how we might help our youngest learners understand how AI output generation can differ from human reasoning.
As for academic integrity, one big question is whether we can teach students to use AI on assignments without letting AI do their thinking for them. I was relieved to find guidance on this complex topic from collaborative bodies like the Computer Science Teachers Association (AI Learning Priorities for All K-12 Students) and TeachAI (AI Guidance for Schools Toolkit). Below is one way schools could think about AI use for middle school students.
Stay tuned for more news about this topic. In the meantime, I'd love to hear your thoughts about AI in our schools.
Resources for Families
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September 2026 Updates
The district shared the results of a staff survey about AI. While staff see potential benefits of AI, particularly for lesson planning and administrative tasks, overall AI readiness and knowledge remain low. The results point to a need for clearer policies, foundational AI education, and professional development to build confidence around AI’s accuracy, security, and practical use.
The board adopted an updated AI in Education policy shaped by the California Department of Education’s new model policy released this summer. The update adds detail around student and staff AI use, privacy and security, AI literacy, and family communication.
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