The University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE) is scaling its Pioneering AI in School Systems (PASS) initiative with a $1 million grant from Google.org, the company’s philanthropic arm. The funding will enable the program to reach five school districts across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware by December 2025. Participation will remain free, reinforcing the shared commitment to equitable access to AI education.
“At Penn GSE, we are committed to leading the way in preparing educators and school systems for the age of artificial intelligence,” said L. Michael Golden, Vice Dean of Innovative Programs and Partnerships. “This support from Google allows us to expand our impact by equipping educators with the tools, knowledge, and ethical frameworks they need to integrate AI responsibly and effectively.”
The PASS initiative, launched in 2025 with initial support from the Marrazzo Family Foundation, was first piloted in the School District of Philadelphia. It was developed to help schools address key challenges in AI adoption, including data privacy, algorithmic bias, and policy alignment with emerging national standards.
PASS employs a three-tier professional development model designed for district leaders, school administrators, and classroom educators. District leaders focus on AI strategy and governance, while school leaders develop implementation capacity. Educators receive training on classroom integration, instructional design, and resource sharing to ensure consistent and ethical use of AI tools.
Google’s Education Engagement Lead, Tequila Lamar, said the partnership highlights the importance of building human expertise alongside technology. “To truly harness the potential of AI in learning, we need more than just tools—we need a scalable strategy for human capacity,” she said. “Penn GSE’s PASS program offers a framework that could become a national model for equitable AI professional development.”
Directed by Michael Golden, Betty Chandy, and Lara Paparo through Catalyst at Penn GSE, the program draws on the expertise of faculty including Bodong Chen, Seiji Isotani, and Shiyan Jiang, whose work spans AI in education, learning analytics, and teacher training.
Early results from the Philadelphia pilot show strong engagement and measurable growth in educator readiness, positioning PASS as a leading example of how universities and technology partners can collaborate to prepare schools for the AI-driven future.
