When the launch of ChatGPT in 2022 brought increased public access to artificial intelligence (AI), it also brought an influx of conversations about how these tools can be leveraged in the world of education. For educators and administrators, AI has presented a world of opportunity, along with a fair share of challenges and uncertainties.
Now, the School District of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education (GSE) are joining forces to address these challenges through the pilot launch of a professional development program, Pioneering AI in School Systems (PASS).
PASS aims to equip educators, school leaders, and district administrators with the skills and knowledge to effectively integrate AI tools into classrooms. By tackling some of the most pressing hurdles in education—such as limited time, difficulty in customizing instruction, restricted access to quality teacher aides and tutors, and challenges in tracking student progress—PASS explores AI’s potential to transform the educational landscape and accelerate student learning.
Over the next year, the program’s pilot phase will be rolled out in select schools across the School District of Philadelphia, with plans to expand the program as a model to other districts both regionally and nationally.
“The digital divide is real in Philadelphia,” said Superintendent Tony B. Watlington, Sr., Ed.D. “Partnering on the PASS program will empower our educators, school leaders, and district administrators with the tools they need to advance academic achievement and ensure our students graduate ready for college or careers.”