Del Dayo Elementary School student Asra and English Language Development (ELD) Teacher Kathleen Records use the AI tool MagicStudent to assist Asra in preparing for reclassification, a milestone where English learner students meet language proficiency and academic criteria to transition out of English language services. Photo courtesy of the San Juan Unified School District

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Del Dayo Elementary School teacher Kathleen Records is one of several teachers across San Juan Unified School District exploring how district-approved artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as MagicSchool AI and MagicStudent, can help personalize instruction and support diverse learners.

Records, an English Language Development (ELD) teacher, said she has used MagicStudent to provide additional guided feedback for sixth-grade student Asra, who is preparing for reclassification, a milestone where English learner students meet language proficiency and academic criteria to transition out of English language services.

On Asra’s end, that process starts with uploading her writing into a teacher-created MagicStudent room. The tool then provides “glows and grows,” highlighting strengths while also offering suggestions for improvement. After reviewing the feedback, she revises her work, reuploads it and continues refining her writing.

“Writing is the only skill I’ve worked on with it, and it gave me great feedback,” Asra said.

Records explained that the AI tool is designed around grade-level standards and teacher guidance. While AI is becoming more common in education, Records added that these tools are not being used to replace student thinking or teacher instruction.

“It’s different because you can’t just put in random stuff,” Asra said. “The teacher can see what you write, and you can’t just ask it to give you all the answers. It’ll give you tools to help.”

Records said those built-in safeguards are one reason she feels comfortable using the district-approved platform with students.

“MagicStudent has these sort of bumpers,” she said. “It’s not going to give students answers. It requires students to input their own thoughts and information before it gives feedback.”

Teachers can also monitor all student submissions and responses on the platform, ensuring AI use remains transparent and instructional.

“It doesn’t replace the teacher,” said Records. “But it does offer students a little more autonomy.”

Records also explained that as these tools continue to advance, responsible AI usage is becoming an important life skill.

“I think AI is a part of our world,” she said. “It’s important that we teach students how to use it responsibly and show them how it can help us grow rather than just do everything for us.”

Asra agreed that AI should be used thoughtfully and carefully. She said she still worries about students becoming too dependent on AI tools, which is why she sees it as something best used to support learning rather than replace it.

By making these tools available to students and teachers, San Juan Unified is exploring how emerging technology can support instruction and help students build the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they’ll need in their everyday lives.