Building a Foundation for AI Literacy in Madison City Schools

At Madison City Schools, we recognize that the educational landscape is evolving rapidly, and artificial intelligence (AI) is a powerful part of that transformation. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in our daily lives—from search engines to image generators to learning platforms—we believe it is both our responsibility and opportunity to prepare students and teachers for a future where AI literacy is essential.

Our vision is to empower both educators and students with the skills, knowledge, and ethical grounding to navigate AI thoughtfully and effectively. We are committed to building a culture of curiosity, critical thinking, and responsible innovation that places people—not technology—at the center of learning.

Rather than banning the use of AI, Madison City Schools has developed an AI Acceptable Use Policy that encourages exploration within clear boundaries. This policy ensures safe, ethical, and responsible engagement with AI tools while acknowledging potential limitations and data privacy concerns.

To support this vision, we are implementing the ACE Framework developed by Matt Miller and Holly Clark—a structured model for AI literacy that emphasizes:

• Awareness: Understanding what AI is, where it appears in the world around us, and how it affects our lives.

• Critique: Encouraging students and teachers to analyze the ethical implications of AI, including data privacy, bias, and reliability.

• Exploration: Fostering hands-on experiences with tools that help learners create, problem-solve, and innovate with AI technologies.

From elementary classrooms to high school electives, this framework offers a flexible guide for integrating age-appropriate, meaningful AI.

To help guide safe and purposeful use, we have curated a list of district-supported generative AI tools. These platforms provide secure, education-focused environments where students and teachers can explore AI’s capabilities, aligning with district standards and privacy protocols.

While many of our teachers have already embraced AI integration in innovative ways, this year we are taking a more intentional approach to professional learning.

Educators will have access to choice-based AI training sessions at our district-wide beginning-of-year learning event, followed by ongoing professional development throughout the school year. These opportunities will be facilitated by district leaders and the Transformative Teaching Group, ensuring that all staff feel equipped to integrate AI meaningfully and ethically into their instruction. Learn more about our Transformative Teachers, including their successes and future goals, here.

In addition, our leadership teams are engaging with the work of Ken Shelton, whose insights on digital equity and the ethical use of AI will help us center human values and inclusivity in all our technology initiatives.

This is more than a technological shift—it’s a pedagogical one. By embracing AI as a tool for deeper thinking, creativity, and communication, we are creating the conditions for students to thrive in an unpredictable world. We aim to prepare a generation of AI-literate citizens who can harness these tools to learn, lead, and shape the future with wisdom and empathy.

We’re excited about the path ahead and the impact it will have on our students as we fulfill our duty of empowering all students for global success.