Five Lessons for Schools to Prepare Students and Teachers to Use AI

Dr. Douglas Fisher reflected on school districts responding to the rise of social media by allowing it to spread without guidance or structure. The result, he argued, has been years of reactive policy making. “We missed the boat with social media,” he said. “Let’s not make the same mistake with AI.” The takeaway is clear: We must teach students how to use AI responsibly, not ban it or ignore it.

Introducing AI into education requires more than classroom experimentation. Rather, it demands system-level alignment so that technology advances instruction rather than distracting from it. Claire Kelley introduced three Child Trends frameworks that help districts move from isolated pilots to coherent, sustainable practice.

• The Framework for Coherent AI Use provides guidance for aligning AI adoption across technology, curricula, and instruction, helping leaders ensure that tools advance learning goals so AI becomes a purposeful learning strategy rather than just a new tool.
• The AI-Class Framework outlines a step-by-step approach to ensure safe, informed, and collaborative AI use through awareness, knowledge, alignment, and safety.
• The AI Risk Framework helps leaders identify and address risks to students, families, and educators while recognizing that inaction poses its own risks.

Together, these frameworks give districts the structure to integrate AI responsibly and consistently, ensuring that classroom innovation is reinforced by district-level strategy and accountability.

Preparing students for an AI-driven world begins with teaching them to understand, evaluate, and intentionally use AI. Dr. Nancy Frey outlined three complementary approaches that educators can apply at any grade level or subject area:

• Teaching about AI builds foundational understanding of how AI works and where its limitations lie.
• Teaching for AI helps students develop skills such as data literacy, ethical reasoning, and prompt design.
• Teaching with AI engages students in “quests” that encourage critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.

These approaches position AI as a learning partner, not as a replacement for human judgment or creativity.

Panelists emphasized that effective AI integration begins with leadership action. Decision makers should ensure that every school has tools, connectivity, and professional development that are adequate for teachers and students to engage meaningfully with AI. Access alone is not enough: Leaders must also create time and structures for teachers to learn, practice, and reflect on how AI can strengthen instruction.

Teachers play a vital role in helping students think critically about AI-generated content. By guiding students to question, verify, and interpret what they see, teachers can transform AI from a shortcut into a catalyst for deeper learning. When leaders invest in access, training, and reflection, they create the foundation for thoughtful, confident, and informed use of AI across classrooms and systems.

The webinar concluded with a clear call to action for education leaders. Begin by engaging with teachers, students, and families to understand their needs and build shared ownership around AI adoption. Launch small, focused pilots that allow for testing, reflection, and adjustment before expanding initiatives. Establish measurable goals from the start to monitor progress and sustain momentum.

Building AI literacy equips students for the future and achieving coherence ensures that schools are ready to meet that future with purpose and confidence.