By Robert Jordan, Founder of Protecting Our Students
Equipping Schools with AI Literacy and Safety
At Protecting Our Students, we believe that safe schools extend beyond physical security to preparing students for the future through innovative, responsible education. As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes our world, schools nationwide are turning to our 4-level safety assessment platform to foster secure learning environments while integrating cutting-edge curricula, such as AI literacy. The rise of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot has prompted educators to be intentional about teaching students how AI works, its benefits, and its challenges. This is not just about technology—it’s about equipping students with the knowledge to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
AI literacy is now joining coding, digital citizenship, and keyboarding as a cornerstone of K-8 education. From foundational lessons for younger students to advanced concepts in higher grades, schools are embedding age-appropriate AI education into their curricula. These lessons introduce students to what AI is, how it’s developed, its ethical implications, and how to use it responsibly. At Protecting Our Students, we see this as a critical step in preparing students for a future where AI will be integral to daily life and careers.
The urgency for AI literacy surged after the 2022 public release of ChatGPT, a generative AI tool capable of responding to nearly any prompt. Technologists predict AI will transform every sector, including K-12 education, making it essential for students to understand this technology. “AI is the tool we need to focus on,” I’ve said as the founder of Protecting Our Students. “It’s where the need is and where future employers’ expectations lie.” Our nonprofit supports schools with resources and professional development to integrate AI literacy alongside our proactive safety assessments, ensuring students are both safe and future-ready.
This push isn’t just coming from educators. In April, President Donald Trump signed an executive order prioritizing AI education in K-12 schools, calling for a task force to promote AI literacy, increased grant funding for AI education, and partnerships with organizations like ours to deliver these resources. The U.S. Department of Education defines AI literacy as “the technical knowledge, durable skills, and future-ready attitudes required to thrive in a world influenced by AI.” This includes engaging with, creating, managing, and critically evaluating AI’s benefits and risks—a definition we echo at Protecting Our Students.
Integrating AI Literacy into Existing Curricula
Many schools already require K-8 students to take computer applications classes, providing the perfect environment for age-appropriate AI literacy lessons. Since the 2023-24 school year, educators have begun weaving AI concepts into these classes, helping students understand AI’s mechanics and encouraging critical thinking about its use. “It’s incredibly important for students to know that AI isn’t magic—it’s technology with a source and a process,” I often emphasize. Our 4-level safety assessment platform supports schools in creating environments where such innovative curricula can thrive, ensuring students are both safe and informed.
For example, some schools start AI lessons with 4th- and 5th-graders, using resources from partners such as Learning.com and Code.org. These lessons introduce AI’s history and functionality, often through interactive activities such as prompting Google Gemini to write a story based on students’ ideas. Class discussions explore ethical questions, such as whether it’s appropriate to sell a story created by a chatbot. These activities lay a foundation for understanding AI’s role and responsibilities early on.
At the high school level, AI literacy extends beyond dedicated classes. Teachers are using AI acceptable-use rubrics to spark conversations about responsible AI use, covering topics like effective prompting and ethical considerations. These rubrics, supported by our work at Protecting Our Students, help educators model practical and ethical use of generative AI tools, ensuring students see AI as a powerful tool, not a shortcut.
Why AI Literacy Matters
AI literacy is about more than understanding technology—it’s about preparing students to navigate a world where AI is ubiquitous. By integrating these lessons into existing curricula, schools are fostering critical thinking, ethical awareness, and technical skills. At Protecting Our Students, we’re proud to support this movement through our safety assessments and educational resources, helping schools nationwide create secure, forward-thinking learning environments.
As we continue to partner with schools to implement our one-of-a-kind 4-level safety assessment report, we’re also advocating for curricula that prepare students for the future. AI literacy is a vital part of that mission, ensuring students are equipped to use AI responsibly and confidently.
To learn how Protecting Our Students can support your school with safety assessments and innovative educational resources, visit www.protectingourstudents.org.