UMass Amherst Center for Education Policy to Host Third Annual Civic Summit on April 30

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The Center for Education Policy at the University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Education will host its third annual Civic Summit on Thursday, April 30, from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Carney Family Auditorium in Furcolo Hall on N. Pleasant St. The in-person event is free and open to the public.

Individuals interested in artificial intelligence (AI) and K-12 education, including students, educators, families and community members, are encouraged to register online. As part of the registration process, participants will be invited to complete a brief, confidential survey designed to support ongoing CEP research on public perspectives of AI in K-12 education.

This year’s summit will focus on the intersection of AI and education, with an emphasis on informed public dialogue. As AI continues to shape classroom practices, educators and policymakers face questions about both potential risks and emerging opportunities for teaching and learning. How K-12 education systems can respond to these developments in ways that maximize benefits while addressing potential challenges will be explored.

The event will feature a panel of experts, including UMass Amherst faculty and K-12 educators, as well as students. Attendees will also have opportunities to share their perspectives and contribute to research examining the perceived risks and benefits of AI in the classroom.

“We’re hoping this event can help clarify what the public thinks about AI in classrooms,” said Jack Schneider, director of the Center for Education Policy and Dwight W. Allen Distinguished Professor at the College of Education. “When people have time to reflect on their own values, dig into what’s happening, and ask questions of folks with expertise—where do they end up? What are they most concerned about, and where do they see promise? For our public education system, the public itself should have a say in establishing priorities and setting up guardrails.”

Panelists will include:

  • Jeff Riley, former commissioner of elementary and secondary education for Massachusetts and current partner at Day of AI, which is a Massachusetts Institute of Technology initiative
  • Torrey Trust, a UMass Amherst College of Education faculty member with relevant AI expertise
  • Rebecca Mazur, who earned her Ph.D. at UMass Amherst, is an educational and researcher and evaluator at the Collaborative for Educational Services, and chaired a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) taskforce on AI
  • Tasheira Gary, a local teacher who will start as a UMass Amherst graduate student in 2027
  • April Camuso, a UMass Amherst graduate student and local classroom teacher
  • A high school student from Hadley

Registration is required to attend the summit and is available through the 2026 Civic Summit Education form or by emailing the CEP at edpolicy [at] umass [dot] edu (edpolicy[at]umass[dot]edu).

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