$75K Grant Funding AI Education Given To West Morris Regional Schools

LONG VALLEY, NJ — The West Morris Regional High School District has secured a $75,000 grant to drive the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in its classrooms, the NJ Department of Education recently announced.

The district is just one of 10 throughout New Jersey that have received the “Artificial Intelligence Innovation in Education Grant,” which aims to support initiatives advancing the role of AI in the classroom.

According to department officials, the grant will enable the development of new programs under two key areas: “Teaching with AI” and “Teaching about AI.”

The “Teaching with AI” initiative will fund pilot programs that incorporate generative AI tools to enhance teaching practices, officials said. This includes developing personalized tutoring systems, using data analysis to refine instruction, and providing teacher training on AI integration.

Additionally, the initiative will focus on creating innovative curricula to promote AI literacy among students. This will involve lessons on AI ethics and its societal impacts, establishing AI-focused maker spaces for collaborative student projects, and fostering AI-driven project-based learning opportunities.

“AI is redefining the educational landscape, bringing both opportunities and challenges,” said Melissa Heike, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. “This shift requires us to respond with responsibility and foresight, ensuring AI is used ethically and effectively in classrooms. Through this funding, we will explore best practices that empower teachers and students to enhance learning while maintaining the integrity of independent thought.”

This effort builds on the West Morris Regional High School District’s AI Task Force, which last spring developed a comprehensive "Vision for the Use of Generative AI in Teaching and Learning."

The vision emphasizes AI as a tool to enhance, not replace, independent thought and inquiry-based learning.

Governor Phil Murphy said that by equipping students with the tools to engage with AI, the department is ensuring New Jersey remains a national leader in technological advancements and innovations.

“In New Jersey, we are committed to building up our innovation economy and investing in the next generation of tech leaders,” Murphy said.

“By giving our students the tools necessary to engage with AI, we are ensuring our state will remain a national leader in cutting-edge technological advancements and innovations for years to come," Murphy continued. "I look forward to seeing what these grant recipients are able to accomplish.”

The grant will run until January 31, 2026.

The "Focus on AI Initiative" at West Morris Regional will roll out over the next 12 months, district officials said.

To learn more, you can visit the NJ Department of Education’s Office of Innovation website.