Introduction

Mission Alignment and the Future of Florida Education

“The mission of Florida’s Early Learning-20 education system shall be to increase the proficiency of all students within one seamless, efficient system, by allowing them the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills through learning opportunities and research valued by students, parents, and communities.”  This fundamental commitment from the Florida Department of Education anchors the broader vision shared by Florida’s school districts, universities, industry, and stakeholders: to foster a robust, and future-ready society that responsibly embraces emerging technologies and leads in global competitiveness. As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues its rapid transformation of the way we live and work the Task Force prioritizes the safety in K-12 education as essential to advancing this mission to equip all students with the skills they need to succeed. 

The integration of AI into Florida’s State Academic Standards for Computer Science, effective July 2024, represents a significant and foundational step in preparing Florida’s students for an increasingly digital world. Teaching and learning AI is critical not only for student success but also for empowering the entire educational community.

The Florida K-12 AI Task Force is committed to harnessing the transformative potential of AI to ensure a safe, responsible, developmentally appropriate, and effective educational environment, grounded in the state’s vision to cultivate informed and responsible digital citizens.

Florida Department of Education Computer Science Standards Progression

The Florida K-12 standards emphasize skills in the following areas:

  • Computation thinking and reasoning
  • Programming and software engineering
  • Emerging technologies 
  • Technological impact
  • Cybersecurity
  • Personal health and safety
  • Communication and collaboration
  • Digital currencies and financial management

The FL K-12 AI Task Force leverages Florida’s State Academic Standards for Computer Science when guiding recommendations on effective integration on AI literacy, safety, and ethical use in classrooms.

Purpose

This guidance document provides a flexible, comprehensive framework for the responsible and effective integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) education across all Florida K-12 settings. Its purpose is to equip all leaders from state level to the community level with the necessary vision, resources, and policy recommendations to ensure that every student is prepared to navigate and shape a world increasingly driven by AI.

Navigation and Contributing to the Guidance

Our Task Force aims to unify stakeholder efforts and guide Florida’s K–12 AI initiatives with clear goals, ethical principles, and practical strategies. Included and beyond this guidance document, our collective work will produce additional resources—such as best practice guides, real-world use cases, and professional development tools—to support teachers, administrators, families, and technology partners. By prioritizing transparency, data protection, and access, we help ensure that AI’s integration in Florida classrooms enhances teaching and learning, empowers students for success, and advances the mission of a world-class education system. We welcome feedback and consider the Guidance a flexible, iterative document. 

Guiding Principles

The FL K-12 AI Task Force encourages stakeholders to approach AI in education by utilizing the following principles:

Cultivate AI Literacy and Understanding

Establish a foundation of broad AI literacy (awareness about AI) for all K-12 learners, ensuring they understand the presence and implications of AI in their daily lives.

Prioritize Ethical, Responsible, and Socially Aware AI Integration

Ensure AI education includes dedicated, ethics and fairness-focused experiences that address related issues of ethics, impacts, and careers.

Guide all stakeholders in the evaluation of AI systems, focusing on responsible use and the societal implications of these emerging technologies.

Empower and Prepare Educators

Support the co-design with teachers and teacher preparation programs to ensure educators are fully equipped with the content knowledge and instructional strategies necessary to implement AI standards effectively and with confidence.

Support School & District Administrators and IT Professionals

Cultivate an ongoing professional learning community and network for school district administrators and IT professionals to exchange policies, discuss successes and challenges, and learn from the unique Florida educational ecosystem.

Support Flexible Curriculum Integration and Pedagogical Excellence

Provide models for integrating AI learning into/with other subjects to demonstrate its interdisciplinary nature.

Examine and recommend a wide range of and effective pedagogies (e.g., unplugged activities, creation of artifacts, project-based learning, embodied cognition) appropriate for developing an understanding about AI across all grade bands.

Intended Audiences

This document is for:

Educators

To guide in-service and pre-service teachers in using AI implementation effectively in and for the classroom.

Students

To help learners understand responsible use of AI–its benefits, opportunities, and concerns– so that they are prepared for an AI-enhanced future.

Parents, Caregivers, and the Community

To keep families informed about how AI is used in schools and what safety measures are in place.

School and District Administrators

To support decision-makers in planning and managing AI integration in schools.

School and District IT Personnel

To provide technical guidance on procurement, implementation and maintenance of AI systems responsibly.