Artificial Intelligence (AI) in K12 Schools

"The rise of AI tools in education brings opportunities for educators to personalize learning experiences. Therefore, effective strategies to build AI literacy must include a multifaceted approach that includes curriculum development support, ongoing professional development and coaching, allows community engagement, as well as clear policy and guidance for responsible and effective use of AI-powered tools." — Universal Connectivity Imperative, SETDA 2025

The rapid access and usage of artificial intelligence (AI) by students, educators, and communities presents both unprecedented opportunities and significant risks for educational equity across our classrooms. DESE's Office of EdTech and Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) team partnered with ISTE+ASCD to convene a K–12 AI Task Force focused on developing recommendations to support school communities in their use of AI. The Task Force concluded its initial phase of work in the Fall of 2024, recommending the state provide resources and support in three main areas:

• Resource Creation & Curation
• Comprehensive Professional Development
• Local and Statewide Policy Supports

Learn more about the Task Force Recommendations in the Integrating Artificial Intelligence report .

Information will be updated on this web page as the Task Force continues to support the Department in its work to provide AI-related resources and support.

Featured Resources and Partnerships:

Leading in an Age of AI Learning Cohort

DESE's OET and DLCS team are collaborating with ISTE+ASCD to provide a series of learning experiences for school system leaders focusing on AI in education. Participating district teams will have an opportunity to collaborate while developing resources for their schools related to one or more of the following:

• Defining AI literacy and the implications for curriculum and instruction
• Reviewing, refining, and drafting guidelines and policies
• Building educator capacity through professional learning design and development

While registration for this cohort experience is closed, the Department will be publishing and sharing resources shared and developed through the cohort experience.

Gov's AI Task Force

• Massachusetts AI Strategic Task Force 2024 Report to the Governor
• December 2024, Governor Healey Announces Massachusetts AI Hub to Make State Global Leader in Applied AI Innovation
• February 2024, Governor Healy's Signs Executive Order Establishing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategic Task Force (Executive Order 629 )

Related Resources & Publications

Please note: DESE is providing this information as a service to educators, schools, and districts and may revise or supplement it from time to time. The publication of this information does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by DESE of any resource, product, curriculum, or system. DESE welcomes comments, additional information, and suggestions; please contact Jacqulyn.m.gantzer@mass.gov .

What is AI?

• Code.org: Learn about how AI works through a series of instructional videos
• TeachAI: What is AI? Implications and Misconceptions
• AI for Education: AI in Education 101 for Parents
• AI for Education: Generative AI Explainer

AI Readiness

• Council of Great City Schools and COSN: K–12 Generative AI Readiness Checklist
• AI Readiness Framework : What Students, Educators and District Leaders need to know

AI in the Classroom

• Tool Selection:
  • COSN and CAST: AI and Accessibility in Education
  • Future of Privacy Forum: Vetting Generative AI Tools for Use in Schools
• Training For Educators:
  • Code.org: AI 101 for Teachers
  • Common Sense Education
    • AI Foundations for Educators
    • ChatGPT Foundations for K–12 Educators
• Classroom Resources:
  • Common Sense Education: AI Literacy Lessons for Grades 6–12
  • Code.org: Curricular materials and educator training modules
  • AiEDU: Intro to Artificial Intelligence (Grades 9–12) , and AI Snapshots
  • AI for Education:
    • Guide to Integrating Generative AI for Deeper Literacy Learning
    • Effective Prompting for Educators
    • Uncovering Deepfakes, Classroom Guide and Discussion Questions

AI Policy and Guideline Development

• AI for Education: State AI Guidance for K–12 Schools
• TeachAI: AI Guidance for Schools Toolkit
• AFT: Commonsense Guardrails for Using Advanced Technology in Schools
• AI for Education:
  • Guide to Developing an AI Policy For Your School
  • Drafting a GenAI Academic Policy at your School

Research and Innovation:

• Stanford University: Generative AI for Education Hub
• TeachAI and CSTA: Guidance on the Future of Computer Science Education in an Age of AI
• Algorhythmic Justice League: Unmasking AI harms and biases

Additional DESE Supports:

• Office of Educational Technology
• Center for Instructional Support
• Executive Office of Education
• Executive Office of Technology Services and Security
• TEC Student Data Privacy Alliance
• Massachusetts Educational Technology Administrators Association

Last Updated: March 6, 2025