KISSIMMEE, Fla. – With the first day of school just around the corner, the School District of Osceola County is turning its attention to artificial intelligence.
The district is holding a workshop Tuesday focused on AI implementation, giving the School Board an update on how AI is being used to support students, employees and operations.
As back-to-school season ramps up, some Osceola County educators were shopping at A Gift for Teaching of Osceola County, a free resource store for teachers available through the Education Foundation of Osceola County. But one supply you will not find on the shelves? Artificial intelligence.
District policy supports the use of certain AI programs for professional learning, helping teachers build lesson plans and track student progress. The district is also working to expand access for both students and teachers.
[PREVIOUS VIDEO: Osceola County school board weighs new rules on AI, wireless devices in classrooms]
Teacher Leyla Reyes said the technology has already proven useful.
“It does help the teachers, like if we need to look for a specific resource or things like that,” Reyes said.
District policy is clear that AI is not a substitute for human creativity, judgment or creation, and many teachers agree.
Teacher Jasmine Arevalo believes AI can play a helpful role in the classroom, but only under the right conditions.
“I think if you use it as an aid to assist, yes, but to use it as a source to do the thinking for you is where the problem lays,” Arevalo said. “Because, of course, you want children to think on their own. You want them to get out there. You want them to create.”
She also acknowledged that the technology is still evolving.
“It’s evolving and it’s going to be different in the future. But, just learning along the way and knowing that it’s not something that you want to depend on,” Arevalo said.
Academic integrity is also a key concern. In May, the district discussed revising its student code of conduct to prevent students from using AI to generate answers on tests.
Some teachers say clear boundaries are essential.
“I think probably set parameters. What is cheating and what is not,” Reyes said.
According to the workshop agenda, the School Board received an update on the district’s AI implementation plan, highlighting progress made over the past two years in establishing governance, professional learning opportunities and approved AI tools for students and staff.
The presentation will also preview what’s next, including employee AI training, expanded student access to approved tools, an AI Fellows Program and ongoing evaluation efforts.
“The upcoming Board workshop is a continuation of discussions between School Board members and staff to plan for the use of artificial intelligence responsibly, transparently, and in ways that best support students, employees, and operational effectiveness. It will take a look at the journey the Osceola School District has taken with AI thus far and what are our next steps for use both in the classroom for learning and on the operational side of the house,” Chief Communications Officer Dana Schafer told News 6.
The workshop is Tuesday at 3 p.m. at the school district’s headquarters in Kissimmee. You can see the agenda below.