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El Paso Schools Embrace AI: New Policies and Literacy Programs Emerge

El Paso Matters•Monday, April 13, 2026 at 1:00 PM•Claudia Lorena Silva

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AI Summary

El Paso schools are adapting to the increasing presence of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, with various districts implementing policies and programs to teach AI literacy. Hanks Middle School students are already using AI tools to enhance their presentations, while high school teachers have differing views on AI's role in assignments. The Ysleta Independent School District plans to introduce a monthly digital citizenship course next school year, focusing on responsible technology use, including AI. Meanwhile, the University of Texas at El Paso is hosting workshops to help local districts develop AI policies. As AI usage in schools rises, the need for structured guidelines and training becomes more urgent, especially since Texas lacks official state-level AI education standards.

Key Details: • Ysleta ISD to introduce a monthly digital citizenship course starting next school year. • UTEP hosting workshops for K-12 leaders on AI literacy and ethics, culminating in a summit in August. • 54% of students and 53% of teachers used AI for schoolwork in 2025, up 15% from previous years. • Texas is one of 16 states without official AI guidelines for public schools.

education technology ai literacy school-districts

People & Organizations

Ysleta Independent School DistrictYsleta Independent School DistrictSocorro Independent School DistrictSocorro Independent School DistrictUniversity of Texas at El PasoUniversity of Texas at El PasoMontwood High SchoolHarmony Public SchoolsEl Dorado High SchoolKim VandagriffAzul LarsonClifton TanabeMiguel MorenoVeronica AlvarezHanks Middle SchoolHarmony Public SchoolsArtificial Intelligence Education Task Force

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