House of Cards: A Superintendent’s Take on Implementing AI in Large School Districts

I’ve been excited by some of the new releases of AI tools in Gemini and hugging face GPTs. That being said, we need to talk about one of the big elephants in the room for tech companies.

A significant challenge for tech companies aiming to integrate artificial intelligence in education is navigating the intricate structures of large urban school districts, many of which encompass over a hundred schools, to ensure effective implementation.

Implementing AI in a large, urban school district can feel like adding one more card at the top of an already grandiose house of cards.

Can you imagine the type of pressure and considerations you would have to hold in being responsible for the whole house of cards as a school superintendent?

Beyond the sheer size of large, urban school districts, what are some of the cards they balance to get the entire ecosystem moving towards a shared vision on a daily basis?

I talk with one of Connecticut’s most innovative and beloved superintendents, Dr. Leslie Torres Rodriguez. Dr. Torres Rodriguez leads Hartford Public Schools, one of the state’s largest school districts.

Dr. Torres Rodriguez gives us a deep perspective on the many nuanced aspects a superintendent has to weigh as every decision she makes is incredibly high stakes and can impact stakeholders in her community. She also vulnerably shares aspects of her own AI learning journey.

Here’s my main takeaways from our conversation:

Education and AI stakeholders alike need to embrace a spirit of curiosity

Dr. Torres Rodriguez really made an impression on me throughout our conversation not just by sharing our perspectives but by the way she approached the conversation. It was really important to her to name areas where she was still learning and embrace areas of uncertainty through her learner mindset. As we navigate new challenges in AI and education, it is critical for all of us, education and tech leaders alike, to listen, ask good questions, and adopt learner mindsets so we can build common ground and create educational experiences using AI which can truly be transformational.

Learning starts with meeting basic needs

Before we delve into the potential of AI in education, it’s crucial to address the fundamental needs of students and their families, such as food and housing. Schools are increasingly stepping in to fulfill these vital roles. Ensuring that these basic needs are met is a prerequisite for effective learning and development.

Creating big implementation in a school district starts with small steps

While large school districts and AI are both rapidly evolving and it can be difficult to create cohesive, comprehensive tactics, Dr. Torres Rodriguez anchors in the value of bright spots; even lessons of one classroom successfully implementing AI can serve as a useful case study as we explore scalable possibilities.

Students are eager to contribute to this change

Like we continue to hear in other conversations, Dr. Torres Rodriguez shares conversations she’s had with students across her district, all of whom are pushing their education leaders to consider AI. Students have a valuable perspective and expertise she plans on elevating by allowing students to create a school of the future in a capstone style project…which could potentially be adopted by the district!

Special thanks to Dr. Leslie Torres Rodriguez for sharing her perspectives.

Check out our full conversation here. Join the conversation at TheAIEducationConversation.com

I’ll be presenting at Sequoia Con 2024!! If your team, school, district, or institution is ready to take the leap in exploring AI implementation, my session will support with strategies for implementation and navigating change management!

The team at Evergreen is also giving any of my followers $50 off conference registration if you use my code: AICONVO.

You can register here. Hope to see you at my session!

#HumansAtTheHeartOfEducation