teacher recruiting, classroom instruction, and lesson planning.” The AI steering committee, chaired by Dr. Kurts Miller, includes diverse stakeholders from across the district, including teachers, HR personnel, operations staff, principals, central office administrators, and a board member. This cross-functional approach ensures the initiative addresses multiple operational areas rather than creating isolated technology silos. “For the first three or four months, the committee researched and brought in several vendors,” Dr. Lawrence explains. “They decided to partner with School AI to pilot implementation during the second half of this school year to allow us to evaluate how it works in classrooms and with teachers before our full district-wide rollout next year.” This comprehensive strategy distinguishes Dayton Public from many districts taking piecemeal approaches to educational technology. The district already maintains one-to-one technology access for students and operates one of the world’s 35 Challenger Learning Centers, where students gain hands-on experience with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. “We’re at the precipice of systematically implementing artificial intelligence throughout the entire district,” Dr. Lawrence notes. “We’re not just taking bits and pieces like many other school districts. We have a cohesive plan for next year that positions our students for success in an increasingly AI-driven world.” PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE FUTURE Dayton Public Schools has reimagined its educational model, shifting focus from standardized test performance to career readiness through a comprehensive pathway system that connects classroom learning directly to regional workforce needs. “What I’m leading now with Next Generation Learning represents a transformation in how we think about school,” Dr. Lawrence states. “We’re no longer just talking about test scores. We’re turning all classes into pathways to jobs, creating career EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY WITH AI IN THE CLASSROOM Dayton Public Schools positions itself at the forefront of educational technology innovation through a systematic approach to implementing artificial intelligence across the district.“We started an artificial intelligence committee at the beginning of the school year,” Dr. Lawrence reveals. “It began after I attended an AI symposium in Cleveland by Martha Holden Jennings. I was exposed to artificial intelligence and all the ways it can work in education. On the drive back to Dayton, I kept thinking about how it could help with transportation routing, 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06
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