Despite the State Board of Education's vote against the charter school, Morath and the TEA proceeded to facilitate the AI tool's adoption in public schools. Communications obtained through public information requests reveal that TEA officials engaged in numerous email exchanges with Alpha School-affiliated companies, conducted campus visits, assisted in creating informational materials for school districts, and connected Alpha representatives with district leaders. Morath even offered to personally introduce an Alpha leader to the superintendent he appointed to oversee the Houston Independent School District.
At least ten school districts were approached about the AI program, with three districts—Houston, Fort Davis, and Aldine—ultimately launching pilot programs. These districts plan to use the AI software as a supplemental learning resource, rather than adopting Alpha School's model of using AI for core instruction. The full scope of the TEA's involvement and the total number of districts utilizing the AI tool remain unclear, as the agency has been slow to respond to inquiries and has contested the release of further communications.
The TEA stated that there is no formal partnership with Alpha Schools but acknowledged its interest in promising methods to enhance student outcomes in math and reading. The agency maintained that it connected interested district leaders with Alpha but left the decision to adopt the program to the districts themselves. Aldine and Fort Davis district leaders indicated that state agency recommendations for potential partnerships are not uncommon and expressed optimism about their pilot programs.
Concerns have been raised by education experts and State Board of Education members about the TEA's promotion of the AI platform, especially given Alpha School's mixed track record. Reports indicate that Alpha's charter school applications were rejected in at least nine states, and a charter school in Arizona and an existing Texas school using the AI program showed lower-than-predicted performance on state exams. The TEA itself had previously given Texas Preparatory School, an Alpha-affiliated charter, an F rating based on low test scores.
This expansion of AI tools into traditional public schools occurs amidst a broader national trend of increased skepticism towards AI in education, with cities like New York and Los Angeles implementing restrictions on its use. Governor Greg Abbott has also proposed limits on screen time in public schools. While Alpha School leaders maintain that their model respects teachers' roles and adheres to screen time recommendations, citing a self-published paper suggesting accelerated learning, critics question the TEA's vetting process and transparency.