AI is already embedded in everyday teaching and learning, shaping lesson planning, generating content, reviewing student work and moving information across digital platforms. In 2024, roughly 25% of U.S. K–12 teachers reported using AI tools in their work, according to a RAND study. At the same time, more than 70% of teachers say they have not received any professional development on the use of AI. The growing gap between adoption and oversight leaves educators unprepared to navigate today’s ethical challenges, particularly those involving AI-enabled instructional tools, student data privacy and digital communication norms.

The challenge is no longer encouraging educators to use AI. It is equipping them with the skills to use it responsibly, ethically and in ways that protect students and preserve trust.

In any technical context, the term “human-in-the-loop” means that AI may inform decisions but it does not replace professional judgment. In a classroom setting, “human-in-the-loop” means that educators remain responsible for interpreting AI-generated information, weighing context and making decisions that are clear, defensible and fair. This is supported by 2023 guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, which emphasized that educators must be able to monitor, interpret and override AI-driven outputs in real time.

Classrooms are not controlled environments. Students bring unique needs, lived experiences and learning histories.  No algorithm can fully account for that complexity. When AI tools surface recommendations or generate content, educators must decide how to use that information, how to explain it to students and families and when not to use it at all.

Most states require some form of ethics training for educators and many educator preparation programs include ethics instruction. ProEthica, a research-based professional ethics program from ETS’s Praxis program, has long been a leader in this space. Districts and educator preparation programs widely view it as a gold standard for helping educators think through complex, real-world dilemmas. However, much of this content was developed before generative AI, widespread social media use and always-on digital classrooms became the norm.

That gap drove the expansion of ProEthica to better reflect today’s classrooms. This latest expansion builds on its research-based foundation, adding contemporary scenarios, enhanced flexibility and a Facilitators Guide that helps school and district leaders, EPP faculty and staff and state partners lead structured discussions and professional learning communities.

One of the most significant additions is a new AI Ethics Module focused on the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. Addressing a fast-emerging gap in educator preparation and professional development, the module includes generative AI simulations that focus on human-in-the-loop decision-making. The simulations focus on three areas where professional judgment is especially critical:

• Transparency, centered on how educators use AI systems and the importance of ensuring that decisions using AI-generated information are clear, defensible and fair;
• Data Privacy, exploring issues related to student data, intellectual property and long-term implications of AI tools; and
• Social Media, grounded in realistic scenarios educators and students face in everyday situations.

Across these simulations, the emphasis remains on educator judgment. The goal is to strengthen the ability to recognize ethical tensions, consider consequences and make decisions that align with professional standards.

AI has the potential to enhance teaching and learning but only if educators remain at the center of decision-making. Human-in-the-loop is not a constraint on progress. It is a safeguard for fairness, transparency and professional integrity. As expectations for educators continue to rise, ethics training must keep pace with reality. By strengthening preparation around ethical AI use and grounding it in real-world scenarios, the expanded ProEthica helps ensure that innovation in education remains aligned with the values that define the profession.