Florida Virtual School (FLVS), an online K–12 school primarily operating in the state of Florida, has introduced a year-long “Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Math” supplemental certification for middle and high school students.
FLVS partnered with the University of Florida (UF) and the Concord Consortium to offer the certification, which is available to FLVS students enrolled in the district’s Flex option. The Flex option allows Florida residents who attend a traditional school or who are registered homeschool students to take individual online courses anytime.
“As a leader in online education for more than 27 years, Florida Virtual School is committed to being at the forefront of educational innovation,” Louis Algaze, president and CEO of Florida Virtual School, said in a March 27 press release.
“By partnering with the University of Florida and the Concord Consortium, we are equipping our students with essential math skills and the knowledge to navigate and succeed in an AI-enhanced world,” Algaze added.
FLVS instructors who teach Algebra 1 will lead the program, teaching the online courses and supplementing students’ learning with activities related to math and AI concepts. FLVS said students enrolled in Algebra 1 who elect to earn the certification will begin on April 7.
The certification will introduce students to AI while boosting students’ math skills. FLVS said it will offer insights into the real-world applications of AI, as well as ethical considerations and career opportunities in AI-related fields.
“AI is revolutionizing industries worldwide, creating new opportunities,” said Jie Chao, project director at the Concord Consortium. “Our partnership with FLVS allows us to offer robust AI learning opportunities to students with limited access to such resources, bridging the educational gaps and preparing young people for an AI-powered future.”
FLVS teachers will complete 40 hours of online professional development as part of the program. The certification also includes a collaborative feedback loop between FLVS teachers and UF and Concord Consortium researchers.
FLVS Flex students who are either currently enrolled or are interested in taking Algebra 1 were able to sign up for the “AI in Math” certification by filling out a survey. As of April 2, FLVS said it was no longer accepting applications for its spring pilot of the certification.
