Idaho has completed its first statewide framework for teaching artificial intelligence in public schools, marking a significant step toward preparing students for a technology-driven workforce while establishing guardrails on how the tools should be used in classrooms.
A committee of 27 educators and industry experts spent one week in Boise in late June developing the draft standards, which outline what students from kindergarten through 12th grade should understand about AI and when they should use it. The effort stems from Senate Bill 1227, enacted legislation that directed the Idaho Department of Education to create guidelines for schools navigating the rapid adoption of generative AI tools.
From Draft to Classroom Implementation
The State Board of Education will now spend approximately 18 months reviewing the draft standards. During that period, teachers, administrators, and the broader public will have opportunities to submit comments and feedback. Following the review process, the Idaho Legislature will vote on whether to adopt the standards during the next legislative session. If approved, schools could begin implementing the final standards as early as the 2027-28 school year.
Notably, the standards are not mandatory. Instead, they provide guidance for schools and teachers who choose to integrate AI instruction into their curricula or use AI tools in classroom operations. Many educators across Idaho already use generative AI for routine administrative tasks and lesson preparation, while some assessments—such as the Amira reading test required of many students—rely on AI proctoring.
Grade-Level Learning Progression
The committee designed the standards with a progression that builds critical thinking about technology. In kindergarten through second grade, students will learn basic AI concepts and develop online skepticism—fundamental skills for digital literacy. Students in grades 3 through 5 will explore how AI appears in everyday life, when it should be used, and how to protect personal information.
Middle school students will delve deeper into how AI systems are trained, examine potential bias in AI outputs, and practice evaluating content generated by these tools. High school students will strengthen their understanding of AI algorithms and apply that knowledge to complex problem-solving scenarios.
Paul Zimmerman, a committee member, framed the standards using a practical analogy. “Because in the workforce, they’re going to say generally you can use AI … but you have to have those rules and guardrails, kind of like if I give you a car, but you need driver’s school to know how to use it,” Zimmerman said.
Stacie Knight, another participant, emphasized the importance of teaching students autonomy in decision-making. “We want our kids to know that AI is not something that can make your decisions for you,” Knight stated.
Building on Peer Examples and Higher Education
The writing committee examined AI standards already in place in North Dakota and Ohio before finalizing Idaho’s approach, ensuring the state’s framework reflects emerging best practices across the region.
Idaho’s higher education institutions are simultaneously expanding AI instruction. Boise State University recently established a School of Computing and now offers AI study programs through the doctoral level. The University of Idaho has launched initiatives to prepare students for technology careers, while both the University of Idaho and Idaho State University are rolling out new bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in AI.
The timing reflects the broader national conversation around AI in education. ChatGPT, the generative AI tool that sparked widespread public interest in the technology, was released to the public in 2022—only four years before Idaho’s standards committee convened.
What Comes Next
The State Board’s 18-month review period represents Idaho’s next critical phase. Schools and educators should monitor updates from the Department of Education for opportunities to comment on the draft standards. Once the legislature votes and standards are adopted, implementation will likely begin in the 2027-28 school year, giving schools time to train teachers and integrate AI literacy into lesson plans.