ACSA's AI Task Force Overview

by Amy Alzina

Our Vision for AI Literacy
Vision Statement
All TK-12 plus California students and educators become AI literate; empowered to use AI ethically, creatively, and effectively to improve learning outcomes.
Our Commitment
We are dedicated to ensuring every TK-12 plus student and educator in California has the knowledge and skills to leverage AI technologies responsibly in the educational settings, and beyond.
Essential Questions Guiding Our Work
How can AI be used to inspire creativity and innovation in every student? How can AI be used to enhance teacher and administrative productivity?
Student Creativity
Foster innovative thinking and creative expression through AI tools
Enhance Productivity
Streamline routine administrative tasks to allow educators to focus on teaching
Balanced Approach
Identify the optimal integration of AI that serves both students and educators
Purpose of the AI Task Force
The AI Task Force is formed to chart the future of AI in public education and to ensure California TK-12 plus education is future ready.
Future-Ready Education
Prepare for tomorrow's challenges
Equity-Focused Implementation
Ensure access for all students
Student-Centered Approach
Keep learners at the heart of all decisions
AI Task Force Objectives
AI Professional Learning
Promote practical applications and professional development of AI in TK–12 plus education
TK-12 AI Leadership Blueprint
Create a scalable TK-12 plus AI Leadership Blueprint for district leaders
AI Advocacy
Create an AI advocacy platform to support the development and advancement of AI legislation that is effective for the educational settings.
Task Force Composition
The task force will consist of 14–16 members strategically selected to ensure a balance of practical experience, technical knowledge, policy expertise, and regional diversity. Members will represent the following roles:
TK-12 plus Superintendents and Administrators
From rural, urban, and community-funded districts
Policy and Government Leaders
Representatives from ACSA, SSDA, and Capitol Advisors
AI and Industry Experts
From leading organizations such as Forum3 and EDAPT School's AI
ACSA AI Task Force Members
ACSA AI Task Force Chair
  • Dr. Amy Alzina, Superintendent, Cold Spring SD and ACSA Board Member
ACSA Leadership
  • Margarita Cuizon-Armelino, ACSA Deputy Executive Director
SSDA Leadership
  • Yuri Calderon, SSDA Executive Director
AI and Industry Experts
Forum3
  • Adam Brotman, Co-Founder of Forum3 and former Starbuck's Chief Digital Officer and EVP of global retail operations
EDAPT School's AI
Common Sense Media
PowerSchool
  • Kellie Ady, Executive Director, Ed. Strategy & Learning Innovation
Khan Academy
  • Dina Neyman, Director of District Success, Khan Academy
Policy and Government Legislative Advocates
ACSA
  • Dorothy Johnson, ACSA Legislative Advocate
Capitol Advisors
ACSA AI Task Force Members
Superintendents and Administrators
  • Greg Ko, Region 6, Director of Technology, Castro Valley USD
  • Katherine Castleberry, Region 14, Coordinator of Early Childhood Education, Torrance USD
  • Scott Nanik, Region 7, Superintendent, Bret Harte UHSD
  • Leslie Wagonseller, Region 13, Director of Technology, Orcutt School District
  • Traci King, Region 15, Principal, Sage Oak Charter High School
  • Terry Walker, Region 17, Retired Superintendent, Irvine Unified School District, and Ed. Consultant
  • Dr. Kelly May Vollmar, Region 19, Superintendent, Desert Sands and CoSN Board member
  • Parvin Ahmadi, Retired Superintendent and Past ACSA President, and Ed. Consultant
  • Brad Bookser, Region 15, Director of Information Technology, Sage Oak Charter
  • Jerry Almendarez, Region 6, Retired Superintendent, Santa Ana Unified School District, and Ed. Consultant
ACSA Partner
Timeline & Deliverables: Spring 2025
Membership Finalization
Finalize membership and hold inaugural task force meeting
Focus Area Identification
Identify key focus areas (Professional Development, Legislative Policy Advocacy, and TK-12 AI Leadership Blueprint
Initial Planning
Begin developing framework for summer AI Summit and professional development series
Timeline & Deliverables: Summer 2025
Professional Development
Host an in-person, AI Summer Summit for administrators in Montecito on July 10-11
2
Learning Plan Creation
Create a Fall, Winter and Spring, virtual professional learning plan and in-person plan (AI Strand) for ACSA Leadership Summit (November 6-8, San Francisco) and ACSA Superintendents Symposium (January 28-30, Indian Wells).
Policy Development
Begin development of policy recommendations and TK-12 plus AI Leadership Blueprint
Timeline & Deliverables: Fall 2025
Virtual Series Launch
Launch virtual Zoom series held from 10:00 AM 11:00 AM (Fall: September 16, 30 and October 14, 28)
Leadership Summit
ACSA Leadership Summit (AI Strand), November 6-8, San Francisco
Policy Development
Continue development of policy recommendations and TK-12 plus AI Leadership Blueprint
Timeline & Deliverables: Winter 2026
1
Virtual Learning Series
Launch virtual Zoom series held from 10:00 AM 11:00 AM (Winter: February 10, 24 and March 10, 24)
2
Superintendents Symposium
ACSA Superintendents Symposium (AI Strand), January 28-30, Indian Wells.
3
Policy Development
Continue to develop policy recommendations and the TK-12 plus AI Leadership Blueprint
Timeline & Deliverables: Spring 2026
Present AI Implementation Survey Findings
Present survey findings on AI implementation, knowledge and expertise to ACSA Leadership Assembly
AI Policy Development and Advocacy
Develop statewide policy recommendations and guidance for AI implementation in California
Release TK-12 Plus AI Leadership Blueprint
Release ACSA's TK-12 plus AI Leadership Blueprint
Member Commitments
Each member will commit to:
Active Participation
Participate in six virtual and/or in-person meetings
Collaborative Work
Support collaborative research, site observations, and policy drafting
Advocacy
Champion equity, innovation, and responsible AI integration across California's schools
Task Force Name Recommendation
Current Name
"ACSA's Emerging Technology Task Force"
Recommended Name
"AI Task Force"
Change the name of the task force to "AI Task Force" in order to simplify its essential purpose and mission.
2025–2026 Calendar of Events
20+
Planned Events
Including meetings, summits, and professional development
12
Month Timeline
Comprehensive planning from Summer 2025 through Spring 2026
Summer 2025 Events
June 2025
AI Task Force Meeting
Date: June 13, 2025
Location: Zoom 10:00 AM
July 2025
AI Summer Summit
Date: July 10-11, 2025
Location: Santa Barbara
August 2025
AI Task Force Meeting
Date: August 5, 2025
Location: Zoom 10:00 AM
Fall 2025 Events
September-October Virtual Meetings
AI Professional Development Series: 9/16, 9/30, 10/14, 10/28 (Zoom 10:00 AM)
AI Task Force Meeting: 10/15 (Zoom 10:00 AM)
October ACSA Leadership Updates
ACSA Leadership Assembly Update: 10/9 (Amy presenting)
ACSA Board Update: 10/10 (Amy present)
November ACSA Leadership Summit
ACSA Leadership Summit: 11/6–11/8 (San Francisco)
Winter 2025-2026
December 2025
AI Task Force Meeting
Date: December 9, 2025
Location: Zoom 10:00 AM
January 2026
ACSA Superintendent's Symposium
Date: January 28–30, 2026
Location: Indian Wells
Spring 2026 Events
February-March Zoom Series
AI Professional Development Series: 2/10, 2/24, 3/10, 3/24 (Zoom 10:00 AM)
March-April Task Force Meetings
AI Task Force Meetings: 3/26, 4/16 (10:00 AM)
May ACSA Leadership Presentations
ACSA Leadership Assembly Update & ACSA Board Update: 5/7 (Amy present)