Inside Olympia--AI in the Classroom

Washington Superintendent Chris Reykdal is asking lawmakers for $10 million in 2026 to fund statewide AI tutoring pilots and teacher training, arguing scale is key to equity. The request comes as state test scores inch upward but reveal persistent gaps, with higher-poverty students improving more slowly. Reykdal cautioned against overreliance on high-stakes tests and urged lawmakers not to cut education in a tight budget year. He said AI is “in the middle of everything” and must be integrated responsibly. Teachers Cassondra Smith and Adam Aguilera described AI as a powerful tool to boost access, streamline planning and support multilingual students, but warned of inequities, privacy risks and the need for training.