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District lays out staged plan for AI in classrooms, stresses guardrails and teacher training
Summary
District technology and instructional leaders presented a staged implementation plan for artificial intelligence: literacy and parent outreach, professional learning for teachers, vetted district tools (Brisk, Formative, Google/OpenAI) and age‑appropriate guardrails; trustees asked about monitoring, parental disclaimers and protecting basic writing skills.
San Bernardino City Unified School District leaders on May 19 presented a multi‑stage plan to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into classrooms while emphasizing privacy, age‑appropriate use and teacher professional development.
Educational services and AET leaders said the district began AI literacy work in 2024 and has since prioritized guidelines, vetted tools and pilot programs. Dr. Cleveland (AET) described three phases: AI literacy, educator professional learning, and classroom tools and resources. The presentation named district‑vetted applications now in use in classrooms, including Brisk (student writing feedback), Formative (real‑time assessment) and Google/OpenAI tools for higher‑grade pathways.
"AI is powerful when it is used to strengthen relationships," Dr. Cleveland told the board during the presentation on the district's approach to ethical and instructional use. Staff said Brisk has delivered tens of thousands of individualized feedback items and that teachers report measurable time savings and faster student writing progress where the tool is used.
Board members raised concerns and asked for clarifications. Trustee Mr. Tilman repeatedly urged explicit parental disclaimers and cautioned, "we do not control AI" and said families should be told that district staff cannot guarantee every AI response. Trustees also asked how the district would limit classroom use to vetted tools, whether students would still be required to demonstrate independent writing skills, and how the district would monitor off‑device or off‑network AI use. District staff said they will continue parent outreach, embed AI literacy in curricula, and restrict in‑classroom instruction to district‑approved tools while acknowledging they cannot control students' use of privately owned devices off site.
Why it matters: District leaders said AI literacy will be essential to future workplace readiness and that structured, teacher‑guided use can accelerate student feedback loops. Trustees called for clear communication to families and for safeguards to preserve foundational skills and academic integrity.
Next steps: The district plans further summer professional learning, continued vetting of tools, and follow‑up reports to the board; staff offered to provide additional detail on monitoring tools and parent resources.
