Strategies to Promote AI Literacy in K-12

Systems Leaders and Policymakers
There is a need for policymakers and school leaders, in partnership with educators, students, and families, to develop guidance for the adoption and evaluation of AI tools in K-12 education. There are several factors to consider when choosing to adopt or use an AI system or tool, including accessibility and equity, data ownership and privacy, transparency, and impact. Digital Promise co-designed an Emerging Technology Adoption Framework for PK-12 Education with educational leaders, technology specialists, teachers, students, and families that provides guidance for informed evaluations and procurement decisions.

System and School Administrators
It is essential that educators integrate AI literacy within the topics they already teach, such as math and English Language Arts (ELA). While library media and computer science courses are programs that can build foundational AI literacy skills and technical knowledge, those courses are typically electives that are not mandated. AI literacy integration in K-12 learning pathways can support:

• AI literacy for all students, particularly historically and systematically excluded learners, given that computer science courses continue to disproportionately enroll white males.
• Novel teaching strategies to enhance learning. AI literacy can become a value-add to disciplinary learning, rather than an add-on to an already overscheduled school day.
• Connections to cross-sector application of AI, relevant to student career and workforce awareness and preparation.

Instructional Leaders
Safe and effective integration of AI tools in education depends on AI literate teachers. However, it is not reasonable to assume that teachers will learn how to understand, evaluate, and use AI tools on their own. Professional learning aimed at enhancing AI literacy can support teachers to understand how to promote AI literacy skill development. AI literacy for teachers is two-fold:

• Teaching considerations include lesson planning, smart content creation, or grading.
• Learning considerations include facilitating powerful learning experiences that encourage students to develop AI literacy skills, as well as scaffolding and supporting students to leverage AI tools for learning. AI can only be used ethically and effectively in teaching and learning when teachers are literate in its use.

Teachers and Instructional Leaders
Technology for learning is enacted through a pedagogical lens, and AI is no exception. That is, technology can be used in ways that promote critical thinking, exploration and creative expression. We support the recommendations from the National Education Technology Plan to integrate technology, such as AI, in ways that promote critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication in order to close the digital use divide.

Leaders, Teachers, Learners, Caregivers, and Community Members
Because AI literacy is a valuable skill for everyone, schools and districts can support not only their students, but also families, caregivers, and their broader community to be aware of how AI tools are being used. Developing this understanding—including increasing critical consciousness of how AI tools can perpetuate and exacerbate existing inequities in our society and raising awareness about algorithmic bias and advocating for changes in policies around algorithms and automation in our society—can enable community members to to decide if and how they will use these tools to impact their lives and society.