Jim Thorpe Area School District is taking its first steps toward formally incorporating artificial intelligence into its classrooms by introducing a new policy designed to ensure effective, safe and responsible use of the technology.

During Wednesday’s committee meeting, administrators discussed the goals of the policy, professional development plans, and the importance of easing fears among teachers, students and parents.

“Really the stuff that teachers were concerned about wasn’t so much what was in this policy and what it covered,” Rob Moyzan, the district’s director of technology, said. “I think it was more about the curriculum and how it’s going to be used in the classroom.”

Moyzan said the policy is not intended to dictate curriculum but rather to set foundational expectations: ensuring student data is protected; promoting intentional and effective integration of AI tools; and providing teachers with adequate training.

“We’re going to make sure that the student data is protected with whatever platform you use, make sure that it’s being integrated in the classroom in an effective manner, and make sure that the teachers are well trained in how to use it,” he said.

One of the major concerns raised was how teachers, particularly in terms of its impact on their roles, would perceive AI.

“We don’t want teachers to feel like it’s (a) replacement,” Moyzan said.

The policy being introduced is a hybrid of a Pennsylvania School Boards Association recommendation and standards from North Carolina, which has reportedly been developing its AI framework for five years.

“We didn’t want to go crazy to the point where you’re handcuffing teachers,” Moyzan said. “I think what needs to happen now though is, once this policy is approved, we go back and we need to revise the acceptable use policy.”

District officials acknowledged that their current acceptable use policy “hasn’t been touched,” and changes to it and other related policies will follow the adoption of the new AI policy.

Professional development is seen as a cornerstone of the successful implementation of AI.

A recent professional development session, administrators said, introduced teachers to the AI component of the Schoology platform.

Wednesday’s conversation emphasized the importance of embracing AI rather than resisting it.

“We have to embrace it,” director Michele Mazzola said. “It’s not going anywhere. … Let’s learn how as educators, we can use it and how we can help our students use it correctly.”

Different AI platforms were discussed, including “school AI,” which allows students to interact directly with AI in a secure environment.

“School AI is something where the students will interact directly with it,” Moyzan said. “Something like that protects our student data. … The company itself, in their policies, say that they’re not using the data from any of the schools.”

The district is also considering ways to educate parents about the use of AI in schools.

Jim Thorpe has discussed having opportunities for parents to experience it themselves at meet the teacher night, or at family math and reading nights.

“I think if we can get this passed we can start giving the teachers the tools to start working with it next year … (and) just making them comfortable,” Moyzan said.