• New guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence throughout Red Wing Public Schools (applies to both students and staff).

• Assignments that advance AI literacy, data literacy, and/or “computational thinking” in support of the competencies found in the RWPS Portrait of a Graduate.  

• Revised outcomes in required Grade 8 and Grade 11 electives to include ethical use of AI inside and outside of the classroom (and as part of academic and career planning).

• New opportunity to join the Aspirations in Computing Community at the national level.

• Scholarship opportunity for high school students to attend MSOE Residential Summer Programs (including train travel stipend).  Applications will open Dec. 1, 2025.  

• Registration for new courses for 2026-27 to include, but not limited to, AP Computer Science Principles.

• New and revised Winger Flight Paths for 2026-27 to include AI Integrated Computing Education (AICE).  

• And more to come!

1. Understanding the Initiative

What is Flight Path 2030?
Flight Path 2030 is Red Wing Public Schools’ five-year plan to prepare every student for a world shaped by artificial intelligence (AI), computing, and data. It builds on our district’s strengths by integrating age-appropriate computer science, data science, and AI literacy into the curriculum. 

Will my student have to do extra work?
No.  We are embedding these new competencies into Teaching and Learning so that all students will benefit.  Students who would like to go deeper will be able to take additional electives. 

What is the district doing to prepare staff to integrate these new competencies?
The District is providing foundational professional development in AI literacy, computational thinking/computer science, and data literacy/data science. Small learning communities are forming to support one another. Each year we will assess the needs for the following year.

Why does AI need to be a part of my child’s education?
AI is becoming part of everyday life and work. Students who understand how it works—and how to use it responsibly—will be better prepared for college, careers, and citizenship. Our goal is to teach AI as a tool, not as a replacement for learning.

What is the AICE Hub?
The AICE Hub is a carefully selected team of staff members who will be collaborating to advance the objectives of Flight Path 2030. 

Where can I find more information?
The FP2030 web page will be continuously updated with new information and student opportunities.  The weekly District newsletter provides updates as well.  

2. Policy and Protection

What is our school district’s official AI policy?
RWPS follows Policy 524 (Internet Acceptable Use) and Policy 524.1 (Artificial Intelligence Use). These policies ensure that AI use supports learning, protects student data, and promotes digital citizenship.

How is my child’s privacy protected?
Only AI tools that meet data-security and privacy standards are approved for classroom use. Students will use AI features built into Google Workspace for Education unless otherwise approved. No student data is sold or shared with outside vendors.

What if I don’t want my student to use AI at school?
A parent/guardian is able to request an alternative assignment that does not leverage AI. These requests will be documented by building administration.

3. Classroom Use of AI

How will teachers and students use AI?
Generative AI — tools that can create text, images, or code — are used in carefully guided ways to support learning, not replace it. Teachers are learning to use AI to personalize instruction, provide feedback, and generate learning materials. Students are being taught to use AI thoughtfully—for example, to brainstorm ideas, check grammar, or explore “what-if” questions—while showing evidence of their own thinking and originality.  The focus is on helping students understand how AI works and how to question it, so they become informed, confident users—not passive consumers—of emerging technologies.

Who decides which AI tools can be used?
Tools will be reviewed by the district’s AICE Hub (AI-Integrated Computing Education Hub), which includes teachers, administrators, and technology leaders. Only approved tools may be used with students.

4. Learning and Skill Development

What does computational thinking look like in the classroom?
Computational thinking helps students approach problems the way a computer scientist would — by breaking them into smaller steps, spotting patterns, and designing logical solutions.  These activities build persistence, creativity, and analytical reasoning—skills that apply far beyond computer science.

What does data literacy look like in the classroom?
Data literacy means understanding how to find, interpret, and use information to make informed decisions. By graduation, students will be able to question where data comes from, recognize when it might be misleading, and use it responsibly — skills that are essential for college, careers, and citizenship in a data-driven world.

Will the use of AI make my child lazy or hurt critical-thinking skills?
No. AI is a support, not a substitute. Teachers help students use AI to enhance reasoning, creativity, and problem-solving. Students still learn to write, compute, and think independently — the same core skills as always.

How will students learn about AI ethics and misinformation?
AI literacy includes learning how to verify sources, recognize bias, and evaluate information critically. Students discuss real-world examples to understand the benefits and risks of AI.

Will the Flight Path 2030 initiative address the environmental impact of AI?
The initiative’s key components include teaching ours students to be critical thinkers, ethical and responsible. Students are encouraged to research complex issues — including the impact of AI and data centers — and then designing solutions to mitigate any adverse impacts. Wingers know they can be part of a solution, whatever the issue or concern!

Will the Flight Path 2030 initiative address the environmental impact of AI?
However, we may want to address the importance of learning about it to be part of researching the impact and/or designing solutions to mitigate any adverse impact. i.e. Be part of the solution.

Will this change how writing and math are taught?
Foundational skills remain central. AI helps teachers tailor lessons and give more targeted feedback while maintaining high expectations for student effort and understanding.

5. Academic Integrity

Isn’t AI just a new way to cheat?
RWPS teaches responsible use. Students must cite AI tools when they help with an assignment and demonstrate their own thinking. 

What are the rules for using AI on homework?
AI can be used as a “thought partner”—to brainstorm, outline, or check grammar—but not to produce entire assignments. Each teacher will clarify specific guidelines by class.

6. Family Partnership

How can I talk to my child about AI?
Encourage curiosity and responsibility. Ask how they’re using AI at school, what they’ve learned about ethics or accuracy, and how they double-check information. Families play a key role in reinforcing healthy habits.

Should I encourage my child to use AI at home?
Yes—with balance. Encourage safe, age-appropriate tools that promote learning. The district will share recommended AI resources that protect privacy and align with school practices.

7. Looking Ahead

What’s next for Flight Path 2030?
Over the next five years, RWPS will continue expanding computing and AI-integrated courses, provide teacher training, and ensure every student graduates technologically literate and  “AI-ready”—capable of using technology wisely, ethically, and creatively.

AICE (AI-Integrated Computing Education) – A districtwide framework that builds three universal habits – computational thinking, data fluency, and responsible AI use – into every subject for every learner, while offering elective pathways in Computer Science, Data Science, and advanced AI.

AICE Hub – Red Wing Public Schools’ central support team charged with turning the Flight Paths 2030 plan into action by coordinating tools, training, pilots, and feedback.

AI literacy – Knowing what AI can (and can’t) do, how it works at a surface level, and how to use it responsibly, safely, and ethically.

Computational literacy – Feeling comfortable using computing tools – spreadsheets, block code, Python, dashboards – to explore ideas or create artefacts in any subject.

Computational thinking – Breaking a big problem into smaller parts, spotting patterns, building step-by-step solutions, and checking for efficiency.

Computer science – The study of algorithms, programming, hardware, and theory of computation.

Data fluency / data literacy – Reading, questioning, and communicating with data to make sound, ethical decisions.

Data science – Collecting, cleaning, analyzing, and visualizing data to uncover insights.

Generative AI – Models (ChatGPT, DALL·E, Gemini, etc.) that create new text, images, code, or audio from prompts.

Human‑in‑the‑loop: A responsible employee supervises AI use, remains the decision‑maker, and verifies outputs.

Traditional AI – Rules-based or classic machine-learning systems that classify, predict, or optimize (e.g., spam filters, recommendation engines).