The Office of Education Technology (OET) creates and shares information regarding AI in KY K-12 education, including guidance, information, standards for KY K-12 districts, and feedback from districts.
AI in KY K-12 Actions and Resources
Walton Family Foundation Educator Research
AI Guidance for KDE staff and KY K-12 districts:
Feedback from KY K-12 districts on AI in March 2023, March 2024, and March 2025:
Districts have received regular guidance from KDE and opportunities to provide feedback to KDE and one another. KY K-12 was one of the first states to offer AI guidance to all its public school districts. A significant percentage of Kentucky K-12 districts have already implemented AI policies and guidance within their districts.
Annual district feedback on AI from the annual KY K-12 CIO Summit at the KY Society of Technology in Education (KySTE) Conference
The 2024-3030 Kentucky Education Technology System (KETS) Master Plan, a regulation by reference, has an area of emphasis that includes AI:
Donnie Piercey's book outlines 50 strategies for teachers to utilize AI in the classroom effectively. Donnie Piercey was the 2021 KY K-12 Teacher of the Year. His book was one of the top-selling education books on Amazon when it was first released.
The KY K-12 Early Warning System Tool for districts is an example of how AI technology can benefit the KY K-12 system. This tool is designed to help reduce chronic absenteeism and promote persistence to graduation.
In September 2024, all KY K-12 school districts were provided a link to watch an AI presentation to a KY legislative committee by Doug Robinson, the Executive Director of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO). Doug provided the collective feedback received from each state government-level chief technology information officer (CIO). Doug formerly worked at the KY Commonwealth Office of Technology (COT). He is from and currently lives in KY. The YouTube link to Microsoft and NASCIO's presentation is below.
KDE's Office of Education Technology (OET) was selected to present to all other Kentucky state agencies on the topic of AI during the state's annual Digital Government Summit in May 2023 and June 2024.
AI in KY K-12 Content and Guidance
The 2024-3030 KETS Master Plan, a regulation by reference, has areas of emphasis on KY K-12 student technology skills.
KY K-12 Academic Standards for Computer Science:
KY K-12 Computer Science Plan: KY K-12 Annual Computer Science Report:
The annual report on K-12 computer science in the United States, published by
Code.org provides an update on national and state-level computer science education policy, including policy trends, maps, state summaries, and implementation data:
KY K-12 Academic Standards for Technology. On April 5, 2019, Kentucky's minimum high school graduation requirements became effective, as outlined in 704 KAR 3:305. One of the stated requirements is centered on a student's demonstrated performance-based competency in technology upon graduation.
Conclusion
- How much AI is or isn't used in schools will be the comfort that each has or doesn't have in AI as it relates to the educational goals and values of the district.
- We recommend that each KY K-12 teacher, leader, and staff member become familiar with using AI to help them properly weigh the benefits and drawbacks of AI.
- AI will undoubtedly be part of every KY K-12 student's and adult's future, so we need to constantly adapt as AI continues to evolve at a rapid pace each year.
- Districts can choose to block or not block ChatGPT-type products when KY K-12 students use the KY K-12 Internet service and/or a KY K-12 computer.
- Products that all students and adults use daily will utilize AI to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness (e.g., summaries and minutes).
- Avoid situations like well-intentioned K-12 researchers putting sensitive data into open AI systems.
- Overall, AI is expected to have its most significant positive impact in the fields of education and medicine.
- However, beyond education, AI requires safe boundaries, especially when combined with robots that can move and act independently.
Supporting Documents
Office of Education Technology
Division of School Technology Planning and Project Management
300 Sower Blvd., 4th Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-2020
Fax (502) 564-1519