U.S. Department of Education AI Teaching & Learning Collaborative Grant

Geographic Scope: Statewide (Georgia), with national replication potential

Project Title: AI Teaching & Learning Collaborative: Transforming Teaching, Learning, and Educator Preparation with Artificial Intelligence

Lead Institution: Savannah State University (anchor institution and lead applicant)

Focus Areas

• Artificial intelligence integration in education
• Educator preparation programs
• Teaching and learning transformation
• Instructional improvement
• Ethical and responsible AI use in education
• Science of Reading alignment
• AI literacy for educators
• Equity in education

Program Objectives

• Advance responsible, ethical, and evidence-based integration of artificial intelligence across teaching, learning, and educator preparation programs
• Strengthen instructional practices
• Expand AI literacy among educators
• Support preparation of future teachers equipped to leverage emerging technologies in diverse learning environments
• Deploy AI-enabled personalized learning models
• Develop adaptive diagnostic tools
• Create Science of Reading–aligned instructional pathways
• Build stackable AI micro-credentialing system for educators

Key Features

• Federated AI Infrastructure: Digital Flex Consortium provides infrastructure, advanced analytics, and embedded instructional coaching
• Micro-credentials: Stackable AI micro-credentialing system to build educator fluency and ethical AI competencies
• Research-Driven Design: SSU faculty, particularly in educator preparation and gateway courses, lead project design, implementation, and evaluation
• Priority Populations: Students with disabilities, English learners, rural students, students in high-need districts facing persistent teacher shortages

Implementation Scale

Initial Phase (Current):

• Approximately 5,000 educators
• Approximately 50,000 students

Planned Expansion:

• 30,000+ educators statewide
• 500,000+ students statewide

Project Leadership

• Principal Investigator: Dr. Cora Thompson, Dean of the Hyundai College of Education
• University President: Dr. Jermaine Whirl
• Institutional Support: Hyundai College of Education

Key Partners

• Savannah-Chatham County Public School System
• Digital Flex Consortium

Deliverables

• AI micro-credentials
• Implementation guides
• Evaluation tools
• Research publications
• National Replication Toolkit (to support adoption by other states and education systems)

Federal Priorities Addressed

• Instructional improvement
• Educator preparation
• Equity in education
• Support for historically underserved students and communities