Dr. Charles Lentz, Superintendent of the New Hope-Solebury School District since 2018, has transformed the district through visionary leadership. Under his guidance, the district introduced innovative programs such as College and Career Pathways, a K-12 STEAM curriculum, and a high school block schedule. He also prioritized inclusion by creating an Equity Committee and launching initiatives to address achievement gaps. With over 30 years of experience in education, Dr. Lentz has led community efforts and earned recognition, including the 2024 PSBA Innovative School Leader Award. He holds advanced degrees in education and is pursuing an Executive Masters of Business at Wharton.
Once in a generation an innovation comes forward which has the potential to revolutionize education. With the evolution of personal computers in the 1980s and 1990s traditional classroom instruction was transformed and computers are now an integral part of all learning environments. We are now on the precipice of another similar revolution in education with the advent of artificial intelligence which has the potential to dramatically shape education as we know it, if schools are going to prepare students for a dramatically changing workplace which is already adopting and integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into nearly every aspect of its functioning.
As with any change initiative, there is always resistance from some for the integration of a technology which has the potential to dramatically change instruction, however, failure to respond to the changes being realized through AI may result in schools doing a disservice to their students in adequately preparing them for the dramatically changed work and university settings.
In today’s rapidly changing educational landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming a transformative force. Schools are faced with a critical decision: embrace AI’s potential or risk falling behind. Forward-thinking districts are taking a proactive approach, making AI a central part of their innovation strategies.
Preparing Students for the Future
Some school districts have welcomed and embraced the changes artificial intelligence offer as a tool for instruction, instructional differentiation, and mundane work tasks which can be dramatically enhanced through AI technology. For those school districts, the journey towards integrating AI in education often begins with a comprehensive review of current programs and practices. By engaging patrons, including community members, parents, students, faculty, and administrators, school districts can develop strategic plans focused on preparing students for the demands of higher education and the modern workforce. These districts have sought insight from business and industry about the ways in which technology is being integrated into the workplace and engaged with experts in technology about how AI can be integrated into schools to provide a
more robust and individualized learning experience for students. The school district plans for AI implementation often emphasize key characteristics like creativity, critical thinking, resilience, and social intelligence.
Building an AI-Ready Team
A key step in AI integration is the formation of an AI task force or committee. This group, composed of representatives of key patrons including administrators, teachers, and support staff from all grade levels, can research AI’s potential, pilot its use in various educational settings, and develop professional learning opportunities for staff.
Initial efforts might focus on assessing teachers’ comfort levels with AI and providing tailored professional development. In some school districts this has been effectively accomplished by establishing tiered instruction based on the staff’s familiarity and comfort level with technology. Staff are broken into groups including implementers, experimenters and novices so that the training can be more appropriately tailored to their level of understanding of artificial intelligence and meet their respective learning needs. This can include a mix of direct instruction and hands-on exploration, allowing educators to experience AI tools in a guided environment. Often these sessions are highly effective if they are led by teachers who embrace the technology who provide personal insights and experiences in utilizing the technology. The goal is to ensure that teachers are comfortable using AI for their own professional purposes, such as lesson planning, generating resources, and providing personalized student feedback.
Optimizing Learning Environments
AI can be used to optimize school operations and create more effective learning environments. AI-driven tools can analyze student performance data, allowing for personalized learning plans that address individual strengths and areas for growth. AI can also help streamline managerial tasks, freeing up educators’ time for instruction and student engagement. Key uses for schools have included summarizing and analyzing key information, preparing activities or creating new materials for instruction.
Integrating AI into the Curriculum
Integrating AI into the curriculum requires careful planning and clear guidelines. Schools might use a structured approach, such as a stoplight model, to communicate AI expectations for staff and students. This ensures that both teachers and students can confidently navigate AI integration while maintaining academic integrity. Increasingly computer applications are being developed which capitalize on AI technology to provide support and tutoring to students, assist with writing skills, and significantly enhance classroom instruction by pulling from a wide array of resources and materials to provide comprehensive instruction in key concepts and skills instructed. As AI continues to be perfected opportunities for very specific, individualized instruction can be utilized and students will be able to capitalize on AI to enhance their learning and receive additional coaching in areas where they need additional support. An established district committee can provide a forum through which members of the committee can experiment with new technology applications and uses of artificial intelligence and then report back to the committee about their effectiveness and make recommendations for further use and expansion across a school of the school district.
Preparing for AI-Driven Careers
As AI continues to transform various professional fields, it’s important to integrate AI awareness and skills into career pathways programs. Connecting students and educators with industry experts can provide insights into how AI is being used in real-world careers. The rapidity with which change is occurring through the implementation of AI in the work force makes it incredibly challenging for school districts to remain current with changes in this technology and its application. As a result, it is critical that school districts maintain contact with educational technology organizations or individuals in the technology industry who can continue to provide insights and updates to changes so school districts can respond to these changes and remain relevant to the application of this technology in business and industry.
Looking Ahead
The future of AI in K-12 education is full of possibilities. AI technology has the potential to truly transform and innovate education. Capturing the power of AI will allow schools to enhance access to educational resources and support previously impossible to attain. The educational outcomes which can be realized through AI and the ability to refine instruction and maximize efficiencies in instructional time will also broaden the capacity of schools and faculty and staff to realize their potential. Schools that embrace AI are empowering their students to be not just consumers of technology, but innovators who can shape the future.