SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A bill heading to Gov. JB Pritzker's desk could help guide the use of artificial intelligence in schools.
The legislation requires the Illinois State Board of Education to develop statewide guidance for districts and teachers on the use of AI in elementary and secondary education.
The legislation requires the Illinois State Board of Education to develop statewide guidance for districts and teachers on the use of AI in elementary and secondary education.
This guidance would include explanations of basic AI concepts and specific ways the technology can be used at the district, school, and classroom levels. It also calls for guidance on how districts and teachers can evaluate and address bias, privacy, transparency, and risk assessment for use of AI.
"It specifies what information should be included in the guidance and establishes July 1, 2026 as a deadline for the State Board of Education to publish the guidance," said Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield).
Sponsors explained the plan also requires information on the impact of artificial intelligence on student data privacy, including federal and state laws associated with privacy.
A separate provision of the bill requires ISBE to encourage school districts to collect teaching resources to support American Sign Language programs by July of next year. The resources may include information on the importance and benefits of ASL instruction for early ages and its prevalence in the United States, ways to implement ASL instruction into K-8 curriculum, and how to properly administer ASL instruction for students K-8.
Senate Bill 1920 passed unanimously out of the Senate Saturday. It previously passed out of the House on a 74-34 vote.
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