Working draft for BCPS review. Content is drawn from national best practices as a starting point. Departments can edit, replace, or keep any section.
Broward County Public Schools
Districtwide Initiative

Broward Powered by AI

Preparing students for a world that doesn't exist yet.

Human Intelligence First. Artificial Intelligence Second.
What is Broward Powered by AI

Five commitments to every family

A districtwide approach to artificial intelligence built on transparency, trust, education, engagement, and accountability. Technology that supports the relationships and experiences essential to learning, never replaces them.

Transparency

Know exactly what AI is used, why, and how it is monitored.

Trust

Clear safeguards, governance, and ethical guardrails.

Education

Help families understand AI and the skills students need next.

Engagement

Ways for parents, students, and educators to take part.

Accountability

Public progress, metrics, reports, and continuous review.

Why now

A connected ecosystem of learning

AI, virtual reality, and extended reality are reshaping how students learn and the careers they will enter. Broward Powered by AI connects every level of the system so progress reaches the classroom and the future workforce.

Students Teachers Schools Families Community Future Workforce
AI in Broward classrooms

What AI is, and what it is not

What AI is

  • Supports teaching
  • Supports learning
  • Supports accessibility
  • Supports personalization
  • Supports efficiency

What AI is not

  • Replacing teachers
  • Making educational decisions
  • Grading students independently
  • Replacing human relationships
  • Replacing curriculum

The principle behind every decision

The U.S. Department of Education describes responsible AI in schools like an electric bike, not a robot vacuum: the human stays fully aware and fully in control, while their effort is multiplied. Every AI tool in Broward is meant to be inspectable, explainable, and able to be overridden by an educator.

Humans in the loop, always.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology, Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning (2023).

Our approach

The principles that govern AI in Broward

These principles are drawn from the leading national and international frameworks for responsible AI in education. They define how every tool is chosen, used, and reviewed.

Placeholder framework for BCPS review. Adapted from U.S. Dept. of Education, TeachAI, UNESCO, OECD, and the NIST AI Risk Management Framework.

Human Oversight

People, not machines, make the decisions that affect students. Educators can review and override any AI recommendation.

Human Agency

AI multiplies human effort. Teachers and students stay in control of how it is used.

Transparency

Families know when and how AI is used, and can understand in plain terms how it works.

Equity & Fairness

AI must work fairly across all student groups, with bias actively monitored and addressed.

Privacy & Data Governance

Student data is protected, minimized, and used only for the stated educational purpose.

Safety & Security

Tools are vetted to be safe, secure, and resilient before students or staff use them.

Accountability

Named people and offices are answerable for AI use, with a clear way to raise concerns.

Accessibility

Tools are usable by students with disabilities and across the digital divide.

Evidence & Effectiveness

AI use is grounded in evidence and reviewed regularly for real impact on learning.

Aligned with the TeachAI guidance for schools

Our approach mirrors the seven principles recommended by TeachAI, a coalition led by ISTE, CSTA, and education leaders: Purpose, Compliance, Knowledge, Balance, Integrity, Agency, and Evaluation.

Sources: TeachAI AI Guidance for Schools Toolkit; UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI (2021); OECD AI Principles; NIST AI Risk Management Framework 1.0 (2023); U.S. Dept. of Education AI reports (2023, 2024).

Approved tools

Only reviewed, district-approved tools

Broward uses an approved-tools-only model. Student and staff information is never entered into tools that have not been reviewed. Each approved tool clears privacy, security, and accessibility review first.

Microsoft Copilot

Approved

An AI assistant inside the district's protected Microsoft environment, with enterprise data protection enabled.

  • Enterprise data protection enabled
  • Not used to train public AI models on school data
  • Role-based student access controls
  • Parent FAQ and demonstration video

MagicSchool AI

Approved

A purpose-built education platform that helps teachers plan and differentiate, with human oversight at every step.

  • Built for K-12 educators
  • Teacher reviews all output
  • Supports ESE and ESOL learners
  • Professional learning pathway

How a tool gets approved

Every tool passes the same review before it reaches a classroom.

1

Privacy review

Signed data privacy agreement, FERPA check, and an independent privacy rating.

2

Security review

Independent security audit, encryption, and breach-notification terms.

3

Accessibility review

Tested for WCAG 2.1 AA conformance, as required under ADA Title II.

4

Approval & publish

Added to the approved inventory and listed here for families.

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education developer guidance (2024); Student Data Privacy Consortium National Data Privacy Agreement; Common Sense Privacy Program; ADA Title II web rule; WCAG 2.1 AA.

Policy, safeguards & privacy

How student data is protected

The protections behind every AI decision. Read the plain-language answer first, then open the full document.

Sample answers for layout. Final wording to be confirmed by BCPS legal and data governance, including any Florida-specific privacy law.
What information is collected, and why?
Approved tools collect only what is needed to deliver the educational service. Information is used for that purpose alone, not for advertising or any unrelated commercial use.
Where is data stored, and who has access?
Data stays within the district's protected systems and approved vendor environments governed by data privacy agreements. Access is limited by role to the staff who need it for instruction and support.
Can AI train on my child's information?
No. Approved tools are configured so student and staff information is not used to train public AI models. This is a condition of approval for every tool listed on this site.
What are my rights as a parent?
Under FERPA you may inspect and review your child's education records, request corrections, and consent before personally identifiable information is shared outside permitted uses. Under PPRA, certain surveys require notice and the chance to opt out.
How are tools checked before students use them?
Every tool clears privacy, security, and accessibility review. Vendors sign data privacy agreements, must meet COPPA requirements for younger students, and may not sell student data or use it for targeted advertising.
Are AI detectors used to accuse students?
No. AI detection tools can be unreliable and biased, so they are not relied upon to make decisions about a student. Academic integrity is handled through clear expectations and honest conversation.

The laws that protect your child

FERPA

Federal law giving parents rights over education records and control of personal information.

COPPA

Federal rule protecting the online data of children under 13. Vendors must comply.

PPRA

Requires notice and opt-out for certain surveys on sensitive topics.

State privacy law

Limits how education vendors use student data, including a ban on selling it.

Your choices

Questions and opt-out

Families can ask how AI is used in their child's classroom and learn about available choices. A clear opt-out and contact process will be listed here for BCPS to complete.

Report a concern

A direct channel for families to raise a question or concern about an AI tool, routed to the responsible office. Contact details to be added by BCPS.

Featured documents

BCPS AI PolicyPDF document
Ethical Implementation GuidePDF document
Standard Operating ProceduresPDF document
School Board ResolutionPDF document

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education Student Privacy Policy Office (FERPA, PPRA); FTC COPPA guidance; state student data privacy statutes; Peninsula School District and TeachAI on AI detector reliability.

AI literacy

Understanding AI, for students and families

Broward teaches students not just to use AI, but to understand it, question it, and use it responsibly. The approach is built on the AI4K12 Five Big Ideas, the leading K-12 AI literacy framework.

The Five Big Ideas in AI

Perception

AI senses the world through cameras and microphones and turns signals into meaning.

Representation & Reasoning

AI builds models of the world to work through problems, but does not think like a person.

Learning

Computers learn by finding patterns in large amounts of data supplied by people.

Natural Interaction

Interacting naturally with people takes many kinds of knowledge that AI still lacks.

Societal Impact

AI can help and harm. Biased data can leave some people worse served, so ethics matter.

What students learn, by grade band

Elementary

  • Recognize where AI shows up in everyday life and that it is a human-made tool.
  • Understand computers learn differently from people, by finding patterns in data.
  • Begin reasoning about fairness, and that altered photos and videos exist.

Middle

  • Train and test a simple model and examine its data for bias.
  • Understand how recommendation algorithms shape what they see online.
  • Define AI and generative AI and weigh benefits and drawbacks.

High

  • Carry out a full machine-learning process and evaluate the data critically.
  • Judge AI against fairness, transparency, accountability, and privacy.
  • Evaluate AI-generated content for accuracy, bias, origin, and citation ethics.

Core topics across all grades

Digital CitizenshipAI LiteracyPrompt WritingFact VerificationBias AwarenessAcademic IntegrityFuture ReadinessCareer Connections

Family AI Toolkit

Co-learn

You don't need to be an expert. Explore AI alongside your child.

Always verify

AI can sound confident and still be wrong. Check answers against a trusted source.

Protect privacy

No names, addresses, or photos go into AI tools.

Talk about it

Ask what your child uses and what their school allows.

Professional learning for educators

Teachers move through a clear pathway, from foundations to leadership.

1

AI Foundations

What AI is, how it works, and responsible use.

2

Hands-on practice

Guided practice with approved tools like Copilot and MagicSchool.

3

Classroom integration

Applying AI in literacy, math, science, ESE, and ESOL settings.

4

Leadership

AI liaisons and leaders coach others and guide responsible use.

How AI supports learning by content area

Leading with the strongest evidence. AI is a force multiplier for practice, feedback, and access. It does not replace teachers, and it does not match one-to-one human tutoring.

Special Education (ESE)

Text-to-speech and other supports remove barriers, aligned with Universal Design for Learning. This is the strongest-evidence area.

Mathematics

Adaptive practice gives students targeted problems and feedback, with the teacher guiding instruction.

Literacy

AI reading tutors give real-time feedback that multiplies guided oral-reading practice.

English Learners (ESOL)

Speech-feedback tools support private pronunciation practice. Translation helps, with accuracy limits noted.

Science

Automated formative feedback on how students investigate, supporting inquiry.

All subjects

Teachers save time on planning and differentiation, with every output reviewed by a human.

Sources: AI4K12 (AAAI and CSTA, NSF-funded) Five Big Ideas; CSTA and AI4K12 AI Learning Priorities; ISTE Standards; Common Sense Education; UNESCO AI Competency Framework; CAST Universal Design for Learning; U.S. Dept. of Education AI report (2023).

Community engagement

Parent AI Symposium 2026

Broward Powered by AI is built with families, not just for them. On June 5, 2026, the District brought parents, students, educators, and school leaders together to learn how AI is shaping education and how Broward is using it responsibly.

Hosted at Nova High School in Davie, the Parent AI Symposium was an in-person event designed to help families understand how artificial intelligence is transforming the classroom and how to support their students in an increasingly technology-driven world. Attendees explored both the benefits and the concerns around AI, with a main session focused on what families need to know.

A highlight of the day was students themselves demonstrating how they use AI in their learning, alongside district leaders answering questions directly from parents.

"This is an opportunity to really teach people about how Broward County Public Schools plans to use AI in the classroom and outside the classroom as well."Dr. Howard Hepburn, Superintendent, Broward County Public Schools
"It's really important for leaders and policy makers to anticipate the big changes that AI is going to bring and prepare our students and our families for an AI workforce."Sarah Leonardi, School Board Chair
DateJune 5, 2026
LocationNova High School, Davie
Who attendedParents, students, educators, and school leaders
Main sessionAI in BCPS: What Families Need to Know
FormatMain session, breakout sessions, and networking

Photo gallery

Photos live in the shared album below. On the production site they will be hosted by the District and displayed here in this grid.
View the full photo album

More ways to engage

Parent University

Ongoing sessions and recordings that help families build AI literacy at home.

Community feedback

A suggestion form and survey results so families help shape the initiative.

Upcoming events

A calendar of symposiums, workshops, and school-based sessions.

Sources: WSVN 7News coverage of the BCPS Parent AI Symposium (June 2026); browardschools.com. Quotes verbatim from WSVN reporting.

Accountability

Public Transparency Dashboard

A live snapshot of the people, schools, and hours behind Broward Powered by AI. Tied to district goals and updated on a set schedule.

Illustrative sample data. Figures are placeholders pending BCPS data confirmation.
1,240
Teachers trained
+180 this term
96
Administrators trained
+12 this term
3,500
Parents reached
+640 this term
214
AI liaisons trained
+30 this term
142
Schools participating
+9 this term
8,900
Professional learning hours
+1,100
38
Parent events held
+6 this term
61%
Student AI literacy participation
+8 pts

Professional learning pathway completion

AI Foundations82%
MagicSchool AI64%
Microsoft Copilot58%
AI & Literacy47%
AI & ESE Supports39%

Governance and review

A living document

This initiative is reviewed and updated on a set schedule. Each update is dated and versioned so families can see what changed and when.

We show setbacks too

Credible transparency means reporting what is not working alongside what is. Progress, delays, and lessons learned are all shared here.

Last reviewed: placeholder date  ·  Version: draft.
Sources: OECD Government at a Glance 2025 on public transparency; ISTE governance guidance; Peninsula School District versioning practice.

How this was built

Grounded in established best practices

Nothing on this site was invented. Every section is drawn from national and international frameworks for responsible AI in education, plus real district practice. This list is for BCPS review and would be refined before publication.

  • U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational TechnologyAI and the Future of Teaching and Learning (2023); Designing for Education with AI (2024).
  • TeachAIAI Guidance for Schools Toolkit and seven principles, led by ISTE and CSTA.
  • AI4K12 (AAAI and CSTA, NSF-funded)The Five Big Ideas in AI, the leading K-12 AI literacy framework.
  • UNESCORecommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (2021); AI Competency Frameworks.
  • OECDAI Principles (2019, revised 2024).
  • NISTAI Risk Management Framework 1.0 (2023).
  • Student Privacy lawsFERPA, COPPA, PPRA, and state student data privacy statutes.
  • Student Data Privacy ConsortiumNational Data Privacy Agreement and vendor review practice.
  • ISTE and Common Sense EducationEducator standards, AI literacy lessons, and family guidance.
  • Peer districtsPeninsula School District (WA) and Gwinnett County Public Schools (GA) public AI pages.
Working draft · bcps-ai