02/20/2024

Husted Announces AI Education Toolkit for K-12 Educators

The toolkit can serve as a roadmap for educators and policymakers

Last week, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, the director of InnovateOhio, in partnership with The AI Education Project (aiEDU) announced the launch of an AI toolkit for Ohio’s K-12 school districts. The resource will empower policymakers, superintendents, principals, IT staff, teachers and parents to advance AI literacy in their school districts. It also provides resources to promote student privacy, data security, ethics and other factors.

“AI technology is here to stay, and as a result, InnovateOhio took the lead on hosting forums over the summer to discuss the impacts,” said Husted. “The predominant request was educators wanting help implementing the technology in the classroom. This toolkit is a resource for those who will prepare our students for success in an AI world. It continues our work to ensure Ohio is a leader in responding to the challenges and opportunities made possible by artificial intelligence.”

The toolkit, Guidance And Resources To Advance AI Readiness In Ohio Schools, is a practical guide for developing policies and recommendations in response to the proliferation of AI tools. The goal of the toolkit is to help prepare all of Ohio’s students for jobs in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Last year, Husted and InnovateOhio led three AI forums throughout Ohio to identify opportunities to use AI for good. Through those forums, a clear need was expressed for trustworthy guidance for policymakers, teachers, and parents in Ohio’s K-12 education system. While AI has existed for decades, the introduction of easily accessible generative AI in late 2022 brought tools into students’ lives for the first time.

“The more resources we place in the hands of school leaders, educators, families, and students, the better positioned we will be to use AI tools thoughtfully and responsibly,” said Stephen Dackin, director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. “Our schools are preparing students to be successful when they graduate and this AI Toolkit can spark discussions, create learning opportunities, and provide a structure for what works in Ohio’s classrooms and local learning communities.”

“At aiEDU, we believe that everyone—especially those likely to be disproportionately impacted by AI systems—should have access to the knowledge and skills they need to thrive as workers, creators, consumers, and citizens,” said Alex Kotran, aiEDU's CEO. “We’re turning that belief into action by helping to make effective AI education accessible to more Ohio administrators, educators, parents and students.”

The AI toolkit is designed as a roadmap so education leaders can quickly identify the resources that fit their needs, no matter where they are at on their AI journey. From AI introductions for teachers and parents to template guidelines for policymakers and superintendents, this toolkit will help local schools develop the plans and policies best for them.

Educators, parents, students, policymakers and other interested parties can find the toolkit by selecting this link.