JCPS teachers using AI to build lesson plans as district says it wants to 'embrace the technology'

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Jefferson County Public Schools said it is putting artificial intelligence to use in the classroom, with district leaders emphasizing the technology will support, not replace, teachers.

Teachers in the district are using AI tools embedded in Google Classroom. It's the software students and teachers use daily. The AI tools help teachers generate quizzes, address common student misconceptions and outline lesson plans.

William Pierce, who taught at Olmstead Academy North for about a decade, is now the district's executive administrator of educational technology and media services. Part of Pierce's job is to help shape how technology is used in classrooms.

Pierce demonstrated how the AI tools work, like generating lessons based on prompts.

"We could say causes of the U.S. civil war," Pierce said.

The tools come at no additional cost to the district. Instead of pulling from the open internet, teachers can input Kentucky academic standards and adjust the material. District leaders say the biggest shift is personalization, with lessons tailored to the specific students in each classroom.

"Seven are visually impaired," Pierce said, describing how teachers can input student needs.

The AI then develops a lesson plan, lists needed materials and creates assignments. Pierce said tasks that once took hours can now take minutes.

Eric Satterly, the district’s chief information officer, said JCPS has taken an intentional approach to adopting the technology.

"We want to embrace the technology, has been our approach," Satterly said.

The district launched a generative AI task force last year and is working directly with Google to help shape how the tools are developed. The district is also part of Google advisory councils.

"It’s allowed JCPS to have a voice in things that they develop," Satterly said.

The push comes as concern about AI exists nationwide. Pew Research shows more than half of Americans worry about AI in the workplace.

Satterly said JCPS is drawing a clear boundary.

"Our big focus is we want to keep humans in the loop. We don’t want AI to replace anything," he said, adding that it will allow teachers to spend more time in front of students.

For Pierce, the technology offers a tool he wishes he had in the classroom.

"It allows that personalization, that differentiation, that understanding of what our students truly need to succeed," he said.

District leaders say they are still deciding how students themselves will use AI inside Google Classroom, with decisions expected this fall.

"We can't be blind to this. If we run away and say we're gonna take an approach of blocking this from students, some students are gonna find a way to get around those controls," Satterly said.