GOAL Digital Academy Expands AI Literacy Education for Students, Staff & Families

GOAL Digital Academy is expanding its approach to artificial intelligence literacy during

the 2026-2027 school year, building on work that began last year to help students, staff

and families use emerging AI technology responsibly, safely and effectively.

As AI becomes increasingly common in education, the workplace and everyday life,

GOAL is preparing its school community to understand both the opportunities and

challenges of the technology. The district’s approach emphasizes evaluating

AI-generated information, protecting privacy, maintaining academic integrity and making responsible decisions about when AI should and should not be used.

“Artificial intelligence is becoming part of the technology our students will encounter throughout their education, careers and everyday lives,” said Wesley Brooks, GOAL Digital Academy Director of Technology. “Our goal is to give students the skills to approach these tools thoughtfully, to understand what AI can do, recognize its limitations and know when and how it can appropriately support their learning.”

GOAL’s work builds on the formation of the district’s AI Council during the 2025-2026

school year. The collaborative group brought staff together to examine emerging AI

tools and develop a more consistent districtwide approach to their use, considering

academic integrity, student safety, privacy, instruction and the skills students will need

as AI becomes increasingly integrated into education and the workforce. That work

helped lay the foundation for the district’s 2026-2027 efforts, including clearer student

expectations, ongoing staff development, family education and age-appropriate AI

literacy instruction.

“AI is changing quickly, and our responsibility is to make sure students and staff have clear, consistent expectations for how it is used at GOAL,” said Jeff Grimmett, GOAL Digital Academy Director of Operations. “We want students to understand that responsible AI use is about more than following rules. It’s about developing good judgment, thinking critically and knowing when technology can support their learning.”

One result of the district’s work is GOAL’s AI “stoplight” model, which provides a

framework for communicating expectations around AI use. The model has been

incorporated into student guidance and orientation materials and is used across courses and assignments to help students understand when AI may be used and when work must be completed independently.

As AI becomes more common in education, GOAL is also emphasizing Proof of

Learning, encouraging students to demonstrate their thinking throughout the learning

process rather than relying solely on a polished final product. When AI use is permitted,

students may be asked to explain how they used the technology, what they changed or

rejected, what information they independently verified and what they can now explain or demonstrate without AI assistance. This approach reinforces GOAL’s expectation that

AI should support student learning rather than replace it.

NotebookLM is currently GOAL’s approved AI platform for student use. Students should

not use other AI platforms for schoolwork unless specifically directed by a GOAL staff

member. For students in grades 2–6, AI remains teacher-facilitated only, providing

additional safeguards for younger learners.

Preparing educators is another key part of the initiative. GOAL provides staff with

ongoing training, resources and updates throughout the school year on emerging tools,

district expectations and responsible use. Professional learning explores ways AI can

support instruction while emphasizing student privacy, the accuracy of AI-generated

content and authentic student thinking. Educators also engage in AI-focused learning

within and beyond the district to stay current with emerging practices.

GOAL is also expanding communication with families about the opportunities and risks

associated with AI. Resources address academic integrity, misinformation, privacy and

responsible use, as well as the potential for AI platforms to produce inaccurate or

age-inappropriate content. Families are also encouraged to stay involved by talking with

students about the AI tools they use, reviewing privacy and safety settings and

reminding students to verify AI-generated information using reliable sources.

“AI literacy can’t stop with our staff or inside the classroom,” said Casey Clark, GOAL Digital Academy Director of Communications. “Families are navigating many of these same questions at home, often while the technology is changing around them. We want to provide clear, practical information that helps our entire school community make informed decisions about AI.”

The district’s work will continue to expand throughout the school year. GOAL plans to

host grade-band-specific GOAL Goes Live: AI Literacy events focused on topics

including AI safety, academic integrity, privacy, misinformation, digital citizenship, responsible use and the opportunities and limitations of artificial intelligence. GOAL is also developing a student AI Literacy course intended to become a required component of the GOAL student experience, providing more comprehensive education about how AI works, how it can support learning and when it should, and should not, be used.

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape how people learn, work and access

information, GOAL will continue adapting its approach to help students, staff and

families navigate that changing landscape with confidence and responsibility.