In your classroom, you may be navigating a rapidly shifting landscape where generative AI and traditional coding intersect. While external forces such as policy, curriculum, Ed Tech companies, and communities may influence how you decide what to teach and how to guide student learning. I’d like to offer a few references to support your autonomy and inform an opinion on the generative vs. traditional coding debate and position the opportunity to choose the next step in your own professional development.
The Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth executive order (April 2025) reinforced national support for AI literacy and teacher preparation, but much of the work is happening through existing programs. Partnerships with states, districts, universities, nonprofits, and industry remain essential to provide you with the professional learning needed.
The Virginia Department of Education Computer Science (VDOE) Standards of Learning emphasize both writing code and critically evaluating AI-generated code, prioritizing problem-solving and computational thinking; for example, students may write their own program while also using generative AI to produce code and then debug or improve it. Nationally, emerging policy trends similarly position generative AI as a supplement, not a replacement, for student thinking, requiring ethical use and evaluation of outputs, which aligns with the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) “AI Priorities for All Students” that call for learners to understand, question, and responsibly use AI. This raises a key instructional question:
How are you balancing students’ independent coding skills with their ability to analyze and refine AI-generated code?
Code.org's 2025 State of AI + CS Education Annual Report shows states are rapidly exploring AI guidance and points to the importance of coordinated policies to advance student readiness. Cameron Wilson, President of Code.org stated "CS is the foundation and AI is the next frontier—and we need coherence across policy and practice so every student is prepared for an AI-powered future. AI without CS is superficial, it teaches students to use tools, not understand or shape them."
Whether your state has a graduation requirement, aligned standards, funding or policy guidance, what does student readiness look like in your approach to AI eductaion?
Whether you believe classrooms should focus solely on traditional coding or embrace the full potential of generative AI, we’ve got you covered no matter your approach. Acknowledging that all educators, no matter their stance universally lack resources including access to professional learning, technology, classroom materials or funding there are barriers beyond policy and stakeholders preventing full implementation of teaching CS and AI. In collaboration with our valued partners we’ve compiled comprehensive solution options with the tools you need to guide your journey of CS and AI with your students.
As one of our valued partners, we would like to offer you exclusive access to these resources. Simply click the link below to explore these resources and connect with us for guidance on grants and funding.
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