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House approves 3-year AI and extended reality pilot for 12 schools after DOE testimony
Summary
Lawmakers approved a three‑year pilot to introduce AI and extended reality (XR) tools in a representative set of 12 Delaware schools, with Department of Education officials testifying on guardrails, data protections and an AI Assurance Lab; the bill passed after amendment and roll call.
The Delaware House passed House Substitute 1 for House Bill 404, establishing a three‑year pilot to let 12 schools procure and test artificial intelligence and extended reality tools in classrooms under Department of Education oversight.
Representative Halofsky, sponsor, described the program as a time‑bound pilot designed to improve student outcomes and reduce educator administrative burdens while preserving teacher oversight. The pilot will include 12 schools selected to reflect state demographics, require DOE‑led guidance and technical assistance, include contractual penalties for data breaches, and require participating schools to report academic, attendance and equity metrics.
Secretary of Education Cindy Martin and Dr. Melissa Moore of DOE addressed the chamber. Martin emphasized “vision before vendor” and said the AI Assurance Lab will set guardrails: student data protections, human oversight, bias and accessibility checks, and evaluation before classroom deployment. Martin told lawmakers the DOE was already engaged in preparatory work and that the bill provides a structured, time‑bounded path for responsible experimentation.
Representative Romer and others raised concerns about data, long‑term effects on literacy and evidence quality; sponsors and DOE officials said the pilot is limited, includes privacy protections and will sunset unless extended. Representative Halofsky noted the bill’s amendment delayed the start by one year and the House passed the substitute as amended by roll-call vote (36 yes, 4 no, 1 absent).
The pilot requires interagency collaboration (DOE, DTI and DOJ) for contracts and privacy terms and directs DOE to create an Assurance Lab and reporting processes. Supporters said the bill aims to help educators adopt evidence‑based tools while avoiding inadvertent harms; critics urged caution on vendor reliance and long‑term classroom effects.
The bill passed the House and will proceed to the next steps required for enactment.
