As AI becomes increasingly prevalent in everyday life, school districts across the Pikes Peak region have taken steps to utilize it as a learning tool or regulate its use within the past few years.

Harrison District 2, Widefield D-3, Fountain-Fort Carson D-8, Colorado Springs D-11, Academy D-20, Lewis-Palmer D-38 and School District 49 have launched task forces, added curriculum or updated policies to manage the use of generative AI for their students and staff.

D-38’s new student use device policy defines technology as including the “internet, electronic communications, social media, applications and artificial intelligence tools has vast potential to support curriculum and
student learning.”

Additionally, several districts’ policies now include restrictions to prevent students from using AI for unintended and possibly malicious purposes.

D-8’s policy includes a warning about AI inducing hallucinations and providing false information. In D-3, staff may use AI tools approved by the district and can consult administration for steps to be taken in the event a student violates the use of AI policy.

D-20’s policy is composed of a 15-point list of when AI is prohibited for student use, including generating inappropriate materials, impersonation and political purposes.

April Pratt, the International Baccalaureate coordinator for Sand Creek International School in D-2, told The Gazette she believes students need to be learning the uses of AI to better their learning and teach safe usage of it.

“If we don’t teach our students how to use AI and how to leverage those tools, other students around the world are learning it and they’re going to use it to get better and better and that means our students would fall behind,” Pratt said.

The K-8 IB program at Sand Creek aims to develop internationally minded students by emphasizing inquiry, critical thinking and “developing the whole child.” Pratt described AI as a natural fit into the IB framework and hopes to also have it build upon D-2’s career focus push.

In addition to her current role, Pratt decided to re-enter teaching at Sand Creek to teach about AI. This year, she introduced two AI-based electives to Sand Creek about innovation and art.

Student groups in the AI innovation course are working on apps that range from study tips to coping strategies in unhealthy relationships. Their app development will grow from the “prototype phase” to being fully functional after the AI “codes and builds your app for you,” Pratt said.

This year Pratt also began to host AI office hours at Sand Creek to give teachers lessons on how AI can make their teaching and lesson planning easier.

AI resources for early elementary classrooms are limited compared to higher grade levels, which has allowed middle school teachers at Sand Creek to be more open to AI usage compared to the elementary teachers, according to Pratt.

Meanwhile, students are being taught how AI functions and teachers are being trained to introduce data literacy skills to younger students.

At the state level, the Colorado Department of Education had “many staff” supporting the creation of an AI roadmap to advise districts and teachers on when to consider AI by the Colorado Education Initiative, a spokesperson with the department said.