As of 2025, the Twin Falls School District has implemented a new digital learning class focused on teaching freshmen the ethical uses of artificial intelligence, in accordance with a policy requirement from the Idaho Department of Education.

Passed in May 2025, the policy requires all public schools within Idaho’s districts to implement a class that educates students on the ethical uses of AI, given the widespread use of AI among students.

At Canyon Ridge High School, former Freshman Foundations teacher Mr. Juan Alvarado was assigned to instruct the class. Alvarado is one of three teachers in the district teaching this class.

“When the [policy] passed, stating that all of the freshmen moving forward now have to take the class in order to graduate, the district decided to compress freshman foundation into one semester and put in the Idaho digital literacy class for the other [semester],” said Alvarado.

“I don’t think AI is going anywhere,” said Alvarado, “so I think it’s a positive thing for us to teach kids how to use it properly and to their best ability.”

Students will frequently use AI in this class through the district’s own AI platform on Code.org, which will outline the students’ units and cover some of the coding surrounding AI using Python, a coding language. The class will cover the creation of AI, its environmental impacts, and the jobs that utilize AI. In addition, it will teach students how AI works, as well as how to utilize AI as a tool for learning rather than cheating. Near the end of the class, students will learn to code using AI.