explAInED S.02 Ep.06 (30): Josh Blumberg

Welcome to explAInED! This week we sit down with Josh Blumberg of the Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) to discuss the state’s newly released comprehensive guidance on Artificial Intelligence implementation in schools.
This episode dives into:

• Grade-Band Recommendations: Learn the AOE's specific framework for student AI use, which ranges from limited interaction (no direct contact) in PreK-2 to fostering AI fluency and its use as a cognitive assistant in high school. Middle school focuses on tailored, education-specific apps, avoiding open-ended chatbots.
• Mitigating Cognitive Offloading: Discover practical strategies for teachers to address students using AI to complete assignments. The key shift involves assessing the learning process—such as through writing conferences or requiring code explanations—rather than relying solely on the final product.
• Personalized Learning & Support: Josh Blumberg explains how AI can amplify Vermont's commitment to Personalized Learning Plans (PLPs) by helping students reflect on their learning and enabling schools to analyze PLP data for better class planning.
• Policy and Practice: Hear what district leaders should do to provide staff with approved, data-private AI tools, and why encouraging open discussion among teachers is vital for successful implementation. The discussion also covers balancing the urgency of AI adoption with concerns over student screen time and the necessity of developing deep content expertise.

Josh Blumberg, bringing a background in software development, edtech, and high school teaching, emphasizes that the guidance is a framework, and the real work now begins in supporting schools with implementation, professional development, and strategic planning.