10 Ways AI Can Optimize & Revolutionize California Public Education

By Tatia Davenport, CASBO CEO
July 14, 2023

 

While the debate on using artificial intelligence (AI) in public education continues, the California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) advises its 24,000 members to explore AI as an effective and efficient tool for optimizing operations throughout the state’s 1,100 districts and local education agencies (LEAs).

Here are ten ways AI can innovate and revolutionize California public school operations, providing better learning opportunities for the state’s 5.9 million K-14 students while re-establishing the state’s leading role in public education:

  1. Optimizing budgets & funding: Predictive models can help forecast budgets, track expenses, and predict financial needs. Machine learning models can analyze patterns in data and provide insights in financial decision-making. AI can also review allocation to find ways to free up funds for other critical needs, such as teacher salaries and student programs.
  2. Addressing declining enrollment: AI systems can process applications more quickly and effectively, utilizing predictive analytics to inform school admissions strategies, such as identifying likely candidates for enrollment based on various factors.
  3. Enhancing safety: AI can monitor student behavior, detect potential threats, and respond to emergencies through video analytics, facial recognition, and other technologies.
  4. Customizing learning experiences: AI’s learning analytics can create custom curricula tailored to the specific needs of each student, providing them with the personalized instruction and support they need to succeed.
  5. Identifying early intervention: AI’s predictive learning analytics can identify struggling students and provide them with help before they fall behind.
  6. Increasing administrative & instructional time: Using AI to grade papers, schedule appointments and manage finances gives staff more time to focus on significant responsibilities, like teaching and administration duties.
  7. Maintaining better facilities: AI can track and identify predictive maintenance for facilities, equipment, and infrastructural systems, resulting in better learning environments.
  8. Improving transportation: AI can create more efficient bus routes and schedules, reducing gasoline costs for LEAs and student travel times.
  9. Refining food service: Using AI to predict daily meals based on historical data and current student attendance can reduce waste and manage costs.
  10. Bolstering human resources: AI can identify qualified candidates to fill positions more efficiently and address staffing shortages. Chatbots and virtual assistants can answer questions and guide employees through enrollment and other HR processes.

AI can help school business officials address critical issues facing California public education, like labor shortages, decreased funding, and declining enrollment. Despite known challenges, including privacy concerns and bias, the potential benefits of AI in California’s public schools are significant.

###

About the California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO)

The California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) is the Golden State’s foremost authority on school business. Founded in 1928, the non-profit organization serves more than 24,000 members by promoting excellence and professionalism in school operations. Through innovative professional development, advocacy, and legislative programs, CASBO inspires efficient and effective leadership of California’s K-14 institutions to support the state’s 5.9 million students in the 21st century and beyond. Learn more at CASBO.org and follow #CASBOInspires on social media for updates.