IUSD Expands Nationally Recognized AI Efforts with $200,000 Innovation Grant from IPSF

In a national landscape where many school systems are still exploring the role of artificial intelligence (AI), the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) has emerged as a leader, earning recognition as one of only five districts in the country at the forefront of thoughtful and intentional implementation of AI in education.

“As artificial intelligence continues to shape our world, it’s essential that we prepare students, and the adults who support them, to use these educational tools thoughtfully and responsibly,” said Cassie Parham, IUSD Superintendent of Schools. “Our approach centers on a model where technology supports learning and people are always at the heart of teaching and learning. We use Google Gemini, Snorkl, and MagicSchool to amplify our students’ creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving, while ensuring equitable access, ethical use, and strong collaboration with our families.”

Supporting and expanding this work is a $200,000 Innovation Grant from the Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF), which will help fund AI platforms for IUSD students, including Google Gemini, Snorkl, and MagicSchool, to enhance teaching and learning across the IUSD.

These tools are being implemented purposefully at key points in the learning process, under the direction of teachers, to support high-quality instruction, provide immediate feedback, and create opportunities for differentiated learning. This approach helps teachers meet individual student needs, giving all students access to personalized learning at their own pace and increasing the ability for teachers to connect directly with students.

“IPSF’s contributions and programs have made a critical difference where it matters most – in the classroom,” said Parham. “This Innovation Grant will support teachers in personalizing instruction and provide our students opportunities to amplify their thinking and leverage tools they will need to succeed.”

Research shows that personalized learning can lead to meaningful gains in achievement for all students. When learning is tailored to individual student needs, they are more likely to be engaged and demonstrate improved academic outcomes, according to studies from organizations such as the RAND Corporation and the U.S. Department of Education.

“AI is rapidly transforming every industry, and education must evolve alongside it,” said Neda Eaton, President and CEO of Irvine Public Schools Foundation. “We are proud to support IUSD’s leadership in this space and help expand opportunities for students to engage with AI in thoughtful and meaningful ways.”

Because IUSD is one of the highest-performing yet lowest-funded school districts in the state and nation, partnerships and community support, such as IPSF’s, are critical to seed and expand innovative programs that support learning at the highest levels.

To learn more about AI in IUSD, including how the District’s AI Steering Committee is guiding age-appropriate, instructionally aligned implementation and developing a K-12 AI literacy scope and sequence for Fall 2026, visit iusd.org/ai.