Three teachers approach you in one week asking about AI policy. One wants to ban it, one wants to require it, and one just wants to know if using ChatGPT to write parent emails will get them fired.
For school or district leaders, the pressure to “do something about AI” can be intense. But here’s the truth: clarity beats urgency.
You don’t need to jump into the deep end, you need to start with the right questions.
Start by Solving for “Why”
Before bringing any tool into a math classroom, ask: What problem are we trying to solve with AI?
Are you trying to:
- Lighten teacher workload? Imagine AI auto-generating differentiated practice problems or drafting parent communication.
- Offer students better, more personalized feedback? Think about AI helping students understand why they made a mistake, not just what the mistake was.
- Make differentiation more manageable? AI can help teachers quickly tailor assignments to individual student needs without hours of prep.
- Encourage more open-ended questions and deeper reasoning? AI can support teachers in crafting richer tasks that move beyond rote memorization.
- Provide personalized coaching to math teachers? AI can offer instant transcripts of classrooms and a breakdown of student talk versus teacher talk.
- Reduce over-reliance on shortcuts like Photomath and MathGPT? AI can shift student thinking from “find the answer” to “understand the process and verify.”
“We should be using AI” is not a strategy.
“We want to give teachers tools that help them plan and differentiate faster” that’s a strategy.
Sum Up Current Efforts
You may not be starting from scratch. Ask:
- Who are your early adopters? A few teachers may already be using AI to brainstorm differentiation ideas or connect math to student interests.
- What’s the current math EdTech culture? Positive? Burned out? Overloaded with tools?
- What are your math teachers working on instructionally? If the focus is on reasoning or problem solving, AI might help, but not if it becomes a distraction.
- What are your students doing? Is MathGPT or Photomath being used in ways that concern teachers? Are students using AI for shortcuts, or for support?
- Do you have a school- or district-wide policy for AI use? If not, building in time for discussions is a crucial first step for consistency and clarity.
Tools to Guide Your Next Steps
Here are some tools for leading thoughtful discussions about AI with your math team:
Guidance and Planning Resources
- NCTM Position on Artificial Intelligence: This position offers a strong argument for avoiding ‘shallow’ assessments and using AI to shift students’ thinking from solving alone to a mix of solving and verifying.
- Leon Furze’s AI Assessment Use Scale: This rubric-style tool helps students self-report how they used AI on an assignment. It’s a fantastic entry point for team discussions around integrity, transparency, and policy. Stay tuned for an AI Assessment Use Scale specifically adapted for math.
- Common Sense AI Toolkit for Districts: This toolkit offers reflection questions, conversation guides, and planning tools to help leaders implement AI in ways that are aligned, ethical, and sustainable. It also provides guidance on the crucial topic of data privacy.
Math Specific Tools to Explore
- Coteach.ai: Built specifically for teachers using Illustrative Mathematics, this tool offers lesson planning and in-lesson suggestions aligned to the curriculum. Even if you use a different curriculum, it’s built for math teachers so worth playing with it.
- Khanmigo: (Teacher Dashboard) A free AI assistant for teachers: brainstorm real-world math contexts, write parent emails, even review a concept before teaching.
- Snorkl: (Student Feedback Tool) Students show their work by writing or speaking, and the AI offers feedback on their reasoning. Still in early stages, but worth exploring if you’re interested in formative feedback at scale.
- Edia: (Teacher and Student Tool) Teachers can assign both pre-made and custom-created questions. The platform is aligned with Common Core and state standards, integrates with curricula, and includes an AI tutor and anti-cheating tools.
What to Avoid
- ❌ Don’t rush into new tools without clear goals.
- ❌ Don’t make AI mandatory before building staff trust and buy-in.
- ❌ Don’t treat AI as separate from your curriculum and instructional priorities.
- ❌ Don’t ignore the digital divide. Ensure equitable access to tech for all students.
- ❌ Don’t treat AI as a replacement for teaching. Ultimately, teaching is about relationships.
Where to Go From Here
Start small. Keep it grounded. Make sure AI conversations are tied to the real work your math teams are already doing.
And don’t go it alone.
For example, pick one willing teacher to pilot one AI use case or tool this summer. Have them share their experience, both the wins and failures, at the beginning of school year PD.
Share what you’re wondering about with math and AI in the comments below. What have I gotten wrong, or what am I missing? Let’s learn and grow together.
You don’t need a perfect AI plan.
You need a thoughtful one that fits your team.