Norwalk expands digital learning and AI pilots, ties work to portrait‑of‑a‑graduate competencies

District leaders said Norwalk will expand professional learning on artificial intelligence this school year, pilot four AI platforms for teacher licensing, and tie AI literacy to the district’s portrait‑of‑a‑graduate competencies to teach critical thinking and effective communication.

Ralph (cabinet), Sandra Fayoiz and others described multi‑layered work that began last year: district AI guidelines, an AI advisory board, professional learning for cabinet and principals, and building‑level introductions for teachers. The district has given teachers licenses for four vendor platforms and will study how use of those platforms affects student outcomes and portrait‑of‑a‑graduate competencies.

Cabinet members said the work includes a “guidebook” for responsible AI use that the district will make available to students, teachers and families; the district also plans parent engagement on AI as part of a broader push on responsible technology use. The administration emphasized that the pilot year will focus on measuring classroom impact, and coaches will assist teachers with implementation and metrics.

Leaders framed the effort as part of a broader digital‑learning strategy that includes the district’s long‑running partnership with Digital Promise and a one‑to‑one device initiative. The district has expanded digital coaching and library/media specialist staffing; officials said every school now has a certified library media specialist and a corps of digital learning coaches.

Estrella and cabinet members said embedding AI literacy into the portrait‑of‑a‑graduate — starting with critical thinking and then adding effective communication — is intended to prepare students for post‑secondary pathways while protecting against misuse. They noted a pilot presentation in October at a national conference on aligning AI literacy with graduate competencies.