By Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield
(BOISE) – These days, technology moves quickly. Glance at the news, and you may see daily updates about the ever-increasing capabilities of AI. Collectively, we are trying to figure out what this means for society, for our workplaces, and for our day-to-day lives.
Because I get this question so often, I can say without a doubt that one thing on the minds of Idahoans – and Americans – is what this emerging technology means for today’s youth. These conversations are often accompanied by emotions, anxieties, and contradictions.
I’ve spoken to parents who want classrooms to be technology-free. I’ve spoken to local employers who demand a basic skillset in AI. And, I’ve spoken to teachers who are wondering how to walk the line between these two realities.
One thing is certain: AI is here to stay. Pretending it’s a fad is not the right answer for our students. Our kids need to know how to use technology but, most importantly, how to think for themselves. AI doesn’t replace thinking and can’t replicate judgment, emotional intelligence, and relational skills that make human teamwork irreplaceable.
So, how do we prepare kids for these realities without turning them loose on a powerful technology? Kids will explore, but they also need boundaries.
These technological tools should support learning, not replace it. Teachers need to ask key questions and ensure that anything in the classroom aligns to learning goals and enhances learning – not just engagement.
One of the biggest conversations is over screen time. Parents want screen time limited at school. I agree with that. I stood next to Governor Little when he announced the Phone Free Learning Act, a law that is currently working for Idaho students and classrooms.
We have data to show that in Idaho, screen time from devices at school, including computers, is low (excluding students enrolled in virtual schools). In one Idaho Falls school district, the total screen time per student is under one hour per day. Statewide, our teachers are doing the teaching, not technology.
I’ve also heard from parents and teachers who are concerned that AI tools will replace human instruction. Nothing I have seen in an Idaho classroom indicates that’s where we are headed.
Parents and school leaders in Idaho agree: we must prepare students and keep them safe. That’s one of the reasons Idaho is a national leader when it comes to responsible, effective use of AI technology in classrooms statewide.
I supported and now oversee Idaho’s new AI guidelines for schools. This new legislation, brought forward by Senator Kevin Cook and Idaho’s AI workgroup, establishes parameters for how AI should be used, protects student information, and ensures important decisions about a child aren’t simply handed over to a computer.
Preparing kids for the future doesn’t mean saying yes to every new technology. It means understanding the benefits, recognizing the risks, knowing where to draw the line, and making sure there’s still a teacher – a human being – at the center of a child’s education.
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About Debbie Critchfield
Debbie Critchfield was elected Superintendent of Public Instruction in November 2022 and was sworn in on January 2, 2023. Previously, she served as a seven-year member of the Idaho State Board of Education and was president during her final two years. Debbie was co-chair to Governor Little’s Education Task Force in 2019 and committee chair for Governor Otter’s Higher Education Task Force in 2017. She chaired the Re-Open Idaho Schools Committee in 2020 and was a member of the Governor’s K-12 Council.
