AI Equity in Learning

K-12 STEAM education

Central LA East LA South LA Gateway Cities

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

While AI adoption is accelerating, most innovation in education has focused on administrative efficiency over classroom impact. Public schools—especially those serving marginalized communities—risk being left behind. 2024 NAEP scores remain below pre-pandemic levels, highlighting the urgency of academic recovery. LA County also faces a severe teacher shortage: LAUSD reported nearly 4,000 vacancies last year. With educators earning 20% less than peers with similar degrees, recruiting and retaining teachers—especially in STEAM—is increasingly difficult.
AI can ease teacher burdens, personalize learning, and build 21st-century skills, but integration must be intentional, ethical, and student-centered. That’s why this proposal is rooted in student voice: when 3rd and 4th graders at KIPP Raíces Academy participated in the LA2050 Challenge, they selected K-12 STEAM education as their top priority. We listened—and designed a pilot inspired by their vision.

To prepare students for an AI-powered future—and ensure educators can harness AI to enhance teaching—KIPP SoCal will launch a comprehensive AI Learning Pilot in the 2025–26 school year. Our pilot includes three key strategies:
1. AI Task Force:
We launched a cross-functional AI Task Force—led by our Chief Talent and Equity Officer—to guide organization-wide integration. This diverse group of 12–18 educators and staff from across KIPP SoCal’s 20 schools and central office will receive stipends and lead the charge in conducting environmental scans, assessing opportunities and risks, and providing strategic recommendations. They will meet monthly and serve as ambassadors for ethical, equitable AI implementation.
2. AI Academic Programming:
We will pilot classroom-ready AI tools including:
EdLight, an AI tool that analyzes student math work and recommends next steps (we will bring to 6 middle school classrooms)
Kyron Learning, an AI math tutor (we will expand to 20+ educators across K–8)
Coding Clubs using Raspberry Pi, hosted through our Expanded Learning (after school) programs
3. Educator and Student Innovation:
We’ll invest in AI-focused professional learning and launch “Genius Grants” ($1,000–$5,000) for student and teacher-led AI projects. We will seek projects that range from lesson design to student coding and generative AI projects. A year-end AI Innovation Showcase will celebrate learning and share outcomes.

KIPP SoCal educators will gain the skills and confidence to use AI effectively and ethically, while students engage as curious learners and critical thinkers through real-world applications. We’ll identify high-impact tools that support academic growth and teacher sustainability. Over time, we’ll scale successful pilots across our 20 schools, reaching 10,000+ students annually, and expand to KIPP Forward to support alumni in high school, college, and careers. We’ll also share successes with other school partners.
Long term, Angelenos will benefit from economic growth through aligned curriculum and pathways that reflect student interests and workforce needs. A PwC study estimates AI will add $15.7T to the global economy by 2030, with a 26% GDP boost for local communities. By sharing our learning, we’ll amplify impact beyond KIPP and help redefine AI equity in education—ensuring LA County students from underserved communities are AI-literate and future-ready.