Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is set to enhance its educational framework with the introduction of new policies focused on emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI). During the Board of Education's Policy Management Committee meeting on May 15, 2025, officials announced plans to launch two new professional development courses this summer, reflecting a strong community demand for AI education, evidenced by a waitlist for the courses.
The committee highlighted the extensive feedback gathered from over 11,000 stakeholders, which played a crucial role in shaping the updated draft of the emerging technologies policy. This feedback will inform the creation of a regulation aimed for completion by spring 2026, with an emphasis on privacy, bias, and enhancing educational outcomes through technology.
Key discussions included the establishment of an AI oversight committee to ensure ethical use of technology in schools. Board members emphasized the importance of including student representation on such committees, particularly when it comes to monitoring tools that utilize student data. The committee also addressed concerns regarding personalized learning, stressing the need to maintain academic rigor while customizing educational experiences.
As MCPS moves forward, the integration of AI into the curriculum and policy framework is expected to not only improve teaching and learning but also prepare students for a technology-driven future. The next steps include further collaboration among various departments to refine the regulation and provide updates at the fall meeting. The community can anticipate a more detailed outline of ethical considerations and academic integrity measures as the policy evolves.