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County Office outlines AI education work and guardrails for schools
Summary
Santa Cruz County Office of Education presenters described AI training for teachers, student engagement programs, pilot classroom uses and COE guidelines — while trustees raised concerns about academic honesty, bias and environmental impacts.
County education leaders told the Santa Cruz County Board of Education they are expanding professional learning, student programs and district supports around artificial intelligence while building guardrails for ethical use. Superintendent staff described an effort that has trained hundreds of educators, created an "AI Explorers" teacher cohort and engaged students through a YETI (Youth Empowerment through Technology and Innovation) program. "AI is a tool and technology... It is one of the biggest shifts we've seen in education in the last 25 years," the presentation stated.
Presenters outlined practical examples that districts piloted, including using AI to generate CAASPP-style assessment items and to scaffold student writing at differing reading levels. Trustees and student trustees pressed presenters on academic honesty, the risk of "unlearning" when students rely on AI, algorithmic bias and the environmental cost of large data centers. The COE said it has drafted local AI guidelines, supports age‑appropriate differentiation, and will continue teacher leadership cohorts and showcases for teacher and student projects.
