Future Ready committee reports high teacher response to AI survey; staff training prioritized

Lake Norman Charter's Future Ready committee reported strong early engagement with an AI initiative aimed at introducing artificial intelligence tools in teaching and learning.

The committee said it achieved about a 93% response rate to a baseline survey of teachers and staff and that more than half of respondents indicated AI skills will be "very important" for the future of their careers in education. The committee listed goals for 2024–25 that include establishing guiding principles for AI use, coordinating with instructional facilitators and AI ambassadors, and benchmarking practices with UNC Charlotte.

A presenter said the first year of the related grant will focus on staff professional development so teachers become literate and confident in AI tools before student-facing work begins. "The first year is dedicated solely to the staff," one speaker said, adding that training will emphasize using AI tools for lesson planning, differentiated instruction and personalized learning rather than endorsing any one platform.

Committee members said they have contacted UNC Charlotte's CTO, Mike Carlin, for guidance on guardrails and that the school will create an internal portal for faculty to access expectations, guidelines and resources. They also discussed aligning the school's "portrait of a graduate" with the state's version to include measurable rubrics tied to durable skills.