The Philadelphia school district, in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania, is set to initiate a professional development programme focused on artificial intelligence (AI) for school staff, expected to launch in March 2025. This initiative, named the Pioneering AI in School Systems (PASS) programme, aims to serve as a transformative national model for integrating AI technologies within educational settings.
According to a joint statement released by the Philadelphia school district and Penn’s Graduate School of Education, the PASS programme will initially target select schools within the district, with ambitions of expanding to other regional and national schools in the future. Katharine O. Strunk, the dean of Penn’s Graduate School of Education, outlined the programme's objective, stating, “Our goal is to leverage AI to foster creativity and critical thinking among students and develop policies to ensure this technology is used effectively and responsibly – while preparing both educators and students for a future where AI and technology will play increasingly central roles.”
The drive to implement AI tools in education comes amid growing discussions surrounding the impact of generative AI technologies such as ChatGPT in classrooms. Proponents advocate for the potential benefits of AI, suggesting it could enhance academic progress tracking, reduce time burdens on teachers, and facilitate personalised tutoring and curriculum development. A survey of 1,020 teachers revealed that by the end of the 2023-2024 school year, around 60% of school districts plan to train teachers on the effective use of AI. However, urban districts, including Philadelphia, appeared to be the least prepared to deliver such training.
In contrast, critics of AI in education have expressed serious concerns over issues of bias, inequity, and the risk of disseminating inaccurate information, as well as anxiety regarding the handling of sensitive data belonging to students and teachers.
Superintendent Tony Watlington endorsed the PASS programme, emphasising its significance for student success. He commented, “This programme will help advance academic achievement for our students by equipping our educators, school leaders, and district administrators with tools needed to make sure our students graduate college or career-ready.”
The PASS programme is structured to include three distinct tiers aimed at various stakeholders in the education system. Tier 1 is designed for district administrators, focusing on strategic planning, governance, and policy development to establish a strong foundation for AI integration aligned with educational standards and objectives. Tier 2 will cater to school leaders, concentrating on the implementation of AI tools within schools and ensuring their alignment with existing educational goals. Finally, Tier 3 will specialise in equipping classroom teachers with practical training on utilising AI tools to personalise learning, enhance instruction, and leverage AI-driven data for monitoring student progress and delivering timely support.
The pilot of the PASS programme is being developed in partnership with Penn’s Catalyst education centre and will incur no costs for the school district. Funding for the initiative is partially provided by the Marrazzo Family Foundation, based in Philadelphia.
Source: Noah Wire Services