The Philadelphia school district and the University of Pennsylvania are preparing to launch a groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) professional development program for educators. This initiative, termed the Pioneering AI in School Systems (PASS) program, aims to create a transformative model for educational institutions nationwide.
Beginning in March 2025, the PASS program will be implemented at select schools within the district, with expansion plans to reach additional regional schools and eventually schools across the country.
Katharine O. Strunk, dean of Penn’s Graduate School of Education, expressed the program’s ambition, stating, ‘Our goal is to leverage AI to foster creativity and critical thinking among students while developing policies to ensure this technology is utilized effectively and responsibly.’
In light of the surge in popularity of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, educators are grappling with the implications of incorporating such technology into their teaching practices.
According to one survey, around 60% of school districts nationwide indicated plans to provide training for teachers on AI use by the end of the 2023-2024 academic year. However, the report highlighted that urban districts, including Philadelphia, were notably less likely to offer such training.
Concerns regarding AI furthermore loom large, as skeptics highlight potential bias, inequity, and accuracy issues associated with these technological tools. Philadelphia Superintendent Tony Watlington emphasized the potential benefits of the PASS program, asserting that it will ‘help advance academic achievement for our students by equipping our educators, school leaders, and district administrators with tools needed to ensure our students graduate college- or career-ready.’
The PASS program will be structured in three tiers. The first tier will focus on district administrators, enabling them to develop strategic planning and governance capabilities for AI integration. The second tier will support school leaders in implementing AI tools within classrooms. The third tier will offer educators practical training on AI applications to enhance instruction and monitor student progress.
This innovative initiative, which will come at no financial cost to the district, is developed in partnership with Penn’s Catalyst education center and is funded partly by the Marrazzo Family Foundation.
As schools across the country navigate the complexities of integrating AI into education systems, Philadelphia is poised to become a model for others to follow.
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