The U.S. Department of Education is encouraging schools across the country to take advantage of existing federal funding to expand their use of artificial intelligence (AI), according to K-12 Dive. A “Dear Colleague” letter was sent in late July to district and state leaders on using grants to integrate artificial intelligence in schools.
Federal funds can be used AI to enhance high-quality curriculum tools, high-impact tutoring, and college and career pathway advising, according to the Education Department.
The letter also briefly outlined the department’s principles for responsible AI use in schools. AI K-12 initiatives should be educator-led, ethical, accessible for those with disabilities, transparent in the way new tools are rolled out, and in compliance with federal data privacy laws.
Proposals seeking federal grant funding for AI projects in schools would need to include a focus on at least one of these goals:
- Embed AI literacy skills into classroom lessons to ultimately improve students’ educational outcomes.
- Provide educators with professional development in foundational skills for computer science and AI with instruction on how to responsibly use new technologies.
- Partner with states or school districts to offer high school students dual enrollment credentialing opportunities for postsecondary or industry-recognized credentials in AI.
- Support and develop evidence for appropriate ways to integrate AI into education.
- Use AI to support services for students with disabilities.
- Tap into AI to improve teacher training and evaluation
- Use AI tools to reduce time-intensive administrative tasks
K-12 Dive
