MEDIA CONTACTS:
CoSN: Makenzie Carlin, mcarlin@fratelli.com
CGCS: Tonya Harris, tharris@cgcs.org
New Academic Module Released in CoSN/CGCS K-12 Gen AI Maturity Tool
Academic Literacy Domain Enhances AI Integration in the Classroom
Washington, D.C. (November 21, 2024) – CoSN and the Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS) today announced the addition of the Academic AI Literacy Readiness Domain to the K-12 Generative AI (Gen AI) Maturity Tool. The new module assesses the extent to which educators are prepared to integrate AI technologies into educational practices, ensuring that these tools contribute positively to the learning environment and enhance student outcomes.
The K-12 Gen AI Maturity Tool empowers school districts to evaluate their readiness for integrating AI technologies into instructional and operational frameworks. By leveraging a comprehensive checklist questionnaire and rubric, districts can identify their current maturity level in terms of Gen AI readiness. The tool also offers targeted insights into areas requiring further attention and investment to ensure the safe and secure implementation of AI solutions.
“Our joint goal is to establish a solid foundation of understanding among educators, including administrative and support staff, so they can effectively utilize AI tools in ways that align with and advance the district’s academic objectives,” said Keith Krueger, CEO, CoSN. “By building AI literacy, this domain is designed to support the thoughtful and strategic use of AI resources — fostering innovative approaches that meet the evolving needs of 21st-century teaching and learning. Thanks to the Council of the Great City Schools for being an outstanding partner with us on this important effort.”
“This tool is a ground-breaking resource that we encourage all urban school districts to use to help them build a strategy guiding the effective implementation of Gen AI,” said Ray Hart, Executive Director, CGCS. “By introducing a new module on the academic use of AI, the report goes even further than the checklist that was released last year to ensure that district school leaders are going down the right path to create AI policies that align with their educational goals and improve the academic achievement of their students.”
The K-12 Gen AI Maturity Tool now encompasses seven major domains essential for AI integration: Executive Leadership, Operational, Data, Technical, Security, Risk/Legal and Academic AI Literacy Readiness.
The new Academic Literacy Domain supports districts in assessing and enhancing their capabilities in the following key areas:
- AI Curriculum Integration: Enabling the integration of AI learning into curriculums to prepare students for advanced technological environments.
- Teacher Professional Development in AI: Empowering educators with necessary training to leverage AI technologies for enhanced teaching and learning experiences.
- Ethical AI Use and Policy Development: Guiding responsible and ethical AI use within educational settings to promote safe and fair technology utilization.
- Evaluating AI Impact: Providing methodologies for assessing the effects of AI technologies on educational outcomes and operational efficiency.
- AI Accessibility and Equity: Ensuring equitable access to AI tools for all students, thereby fostering an inclusive learning environment.
- Operational Automation: Utilizing AI to streamline administrative processes, allowing educators and administrators to dedicate more effort towards student achievement and engagement.
“By incorporating the Academic Literacy Domain into the K-12 Gen AI Maturity Model, CoSN and CGCS aim to foster a balanced approach to AI adoption that addresses both the educational and operational needs of school districts,” said Tom Ryan, Co-founder of K-12 Strategic Technology Advisory Group and past National Chair of CoSN, who was lead developer of this collaborative work on readiness to maturity. “This holistic framework assists districts in navigating the complexities of AI implementation and ensures that technology enhancements are in line with educational goals and equity considerations.”
The K-12 Gen AI Maturity Tool was released spring of 2024 with support from Amazon Web Services. In the fall of 2023, the three partners release a Gen AI Readiness Checklist for K-12. For more information, please visit https://www.cosn.org/ai/.
About CoSN
CoSN, the world-class professional association for K-12 EdTech leaders, stands at the forefront of education innovation. We are driven by a mission to equip current and aspiring K-12 education technology leaders, their teams, and school districts with the community, knowledge, and professional development they need to cultivate engaging learning environments. Our vision is rooted in a future where every learner reaches their unique potential, guided by our community. CoSN represents over 13 million students and continues to grow as a powerful and influential voice in K-12 education. cosn.org
About Council of the Great City Schools
The Council of the Great City Schools is the only national organization exclusively representing the needs of urban public schools. Composed of 78 large city school districts, its mission is to promote the cause of urban schools and to advocate for inner-city students through legislation, research and media relations. The organization also provides a network for school districts sharing common problems to exchange information, and to collectively address new challenges as they emerge to deliver the best possible education for urban youth. www.cgcs.org
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