The California Department of Education (CDE) has convened its first statewide Artificial Intelligence in Education Workgroup to study how AI can be safely and effectively integrated into K-12 public schools.
The effort, led by state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, stems from the passage of Senate Bill 1288 in 2024 and positions California among the first states to take a legislatively mandated, statewide approach to AI in education.
“There is an urgent need for clear direction on AI use in schools to ensure technology enhances — rather than replaces — the vital role of educators,” Thurmond said in a recent news release.
Most workgroup members are educators, according to Thurmond, but students, administrators, classified staff, higher education representatives and industry experts are also included.
“We want to ensure that those who will be affected by this guidance and policy have a voice in creating it,” Thurmond said in a public statement.
The workgroup met for the first time Aug. 29 at CDE headquarters in Sacramento. Its charge is to develop guidance and a model policy on AI use for schools and districts across the state.
BACKGROUND ON SENATE BILL 1288
Senate Bill 1288, authored by Sen. Josh Becker and co-sponsored by Thurmond, directs the superintendent to convene a workgroup where at least half of the members are current classroom teachers, ensuring educator perspectives shape policy development.
According to the legislation, the workgroup is tasked with several key actions:
- Assessing and detailing the current and future state of AI use in education, such as the most used tech, its cost and ownership structure, and examples of human-centered AI that either aid or negatively impact educators and/or student learning
- Conducting at least six public meetings to incorporate feedback from the school community and relevant stakeholders
- Developing guidance for school districts on the safe use of AI, such as academic integrity and plagiarism, software that ensures privacy for both educators and students, and acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in schools
- Creating a model policy for local educational agencies and charter schools on the effective use and implementation of AI, including equity considerations
According to the legislation, the workgroup must issue its first set of recommendations by Jan. 1, 2026, and a comprehensive model policy by July 1 of the same year. A final report to the Legislature is due in early 2027, and the statute will dissolve in 2031.
