Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is built upon mathematical models to generate text, images, and other content. Used thoughtfully, these systems can support educators to be more effective and efficient in their roles to support student learning and well-being. At the same time, the use of GenAI carries multiple risks and far-reaching consequences, many of which we do not yet know the full effects of, including increased cognitive offloading, bullying and disinformation through deepfakes and other means, biases based on training data, and the environmental impacts of data processing centers - to name just a few.

To support responsible use of GenAI, educators are encouraged to consider "The 4 Ds" of AI competencies (Dakan & Feller, 2025). A 7-minute video explaining the framework is available on the Claude (Anthropic) YouTube page and as part of their useful and platform-agnostic AI Fluency for pK-12 Educators course.

Delegation - Creative vision and selection of the right AI tools and techniques to realize that vision.
Description - Effectively describing a vision and/or tasks to prompt useful AI behaviors and outputs.
Discernment - Accurately assessing the usefulness of AI outputs.
Diligence - Taking responsibility and vouching for final products created using AI.

Your Resource for AI

Robert D. Wachtel Pronovost, PhD
Instructional Technology and Artificial Intelligence Coordinator
rwpronovost@smcoe.org

Robert advises districts on AI policy, adoption, and implementation; leads the internal SMCOE Generative AI Pilot Cohort; and provides consultation, professional learning, and partnership for district and school teams. His work draws on a PhD in Learning Sciences and Technology Design from Stanford’s Graduate School of Education, along with prior experience as SMCOE STEAM Center Director and district curriculum and instruction director.

Quick Bytes

Short videos of easy-to-implement AI use cases and tips - Created by Instructional Technology and AI Coordinator, Robert D. Wachtel Pronovost, PhD.

District Leaders: Field Guide for a District AI Program

Field Guide for Generative AI Adoption and Policy

Superintendents & Curriculum Leaders: START HERE! - AI in Your District: A Field Guide for District Leaders in San Mateo County (SMCOE; working draft, last revised on 08/14/26)

Step 1: Start from the vision you already have.
Step 2: Clear the compliance floor.
Step 3: Name an accountable owner and establish the task force.
Step 4: Adopt policy and write the procedures that make it operational.
Step 5: Build AI literacy for everyone, ahead of access.
Step 6: Pilot against predetermined evidence of success or failure.
Step 7: Update the board and community on a recurring cadence.

Teachers & Site Leaders: Introductory Courses and Materials

Teachers & Site Leaders: START HERE! - AI Fluency for pK-12 Educators course (Anthropic, 2026): Great, easy-to-follow course introducing generative AI, complete with practice and resulting in educators developing a personal set of AI values.

AI Guide (AI Pedagogy Project, metaLAB at Harvard): This resource has an excellent introduction to generative AI, tutorial, and resource page. It also has AI-related student "assignments."

Teachers, Site & District Leaders: Responsible Use Rubrics

Concerns about cheating or cognitive offloading? LOOK HERE! - The AI Assessment Scale (Perkins, Roe, and Furze, 2025): Contrary to the title, this is a rubric on responsible AI use on class assignments. The intention is for the teacher to introduce this scale and discuss with students the levels of GenAI-use before then referring to the appropriate level on the scale when introducing a class assignment. Visuals and implementation guide included.

CDE Sample Responsible Use Rubric (California Department of Education, 2026): Similar to the AI Assessment Scale (above), this is a sample responsible GenAI use rubric for class assignments.

National, State, & CSBA Board Policies and Reports

Model Policy: Artificial Intelligence In Education (California Department of Education, 2026): "While this policy can be used by local educational agencies (LEAs) or Charter schools as a tool for developing local policies that reflect the nuanced and specific needs of their communities, this policy was intentionally drafted broadly enough to cover basic legal, ethical, and logistical considerations that is recommended to be included in any Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy in schools, regardless of size, location, or demographics. The CDE encourages local-level modifications to reflect the uniqueness of the students, schools, and communities served. The information is merely exemplary, and compliance with any information or guidance in this document is not mandatory." See the Field Guide above for more guidance.

Learning with AI, Learning about AI (California Department of Education, 2025): Information regarding the role of AI in California K-12 public education.

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning (U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Technology, 2023): A report that addresses the need for sharing knowledge, engaging educators, and refining technology plans and policies for artificial intelligence use in education.

CSBA Sample Policy on Artificial Intelligence (BP 0441): Sample board policy regarding generative AI that can be adopted by school boards and expanded upon within Administrative Regulations (AR) and internal procedures. See the Field Guide above for more guidance.

Additional Resources

Latest AI News and Updates: This collection of AI updates and resources is curated by Robert, who also summarizes the key points and adds any other context that might be relevant as it relates to AI usage in schools or by students.

AI Disclosure / Disclaimer Templates and Examples: In the name of transparency and modeling for students, Robert has collected this set of AI disclaimer / disclosure templates and guidelines, along with examples from his own work.

AI Usage Disclaimer: This list of resources is maintained by a human, with an iterative revision process aided by Claude (Anthropic).

Last Revision: September 4, 2026