Actions for school system leaders, school leaders, and school boards

Learn about specific products and practical uses for AI in instruction. Getting concrete allows conversations about AI to move beyond abstract or theoretical possibilities into a grounded discussion of the pros and cons of specific uses. Our 20 product profiles may be a useful place to start.

See products in action with students. Observing actual use in schools changed the way we thought about the possibilities and the risks. Reach out to school system leaders to see if there are opportunities to observe a class.

Organize information about your existing instructional program and any products that teachers are using. You may have pilots or case studies you can learn from already underway. Source this information from leaders and teachers directly.

Through policy, be clear about where you see an appropriate role of AI in teaching and learning and where it should not play a role.

Be purposeful about which tools and websites students have access to and which they don't. Lock down student access to general-purpose chatbots during assignments and assessments.

For any education-focused, multipurpose platforms you use, specify which functions you allow and support and which you keep shut down.

Coach teachers on how to monitor harmful use and to have conversations with students about academic integrity and the long-term consequences of shortchanging their learning.

Identify products and specific uses based on your strategy and needs: When considering products to pilot, do not start by shopping. Start by inventorying your current instructional program and products for each subject and grade span (e.g., core curricular materials, assessments, intervention, any and all apps that teachers are using). Understand where each component of the instructional program adds value and identify where there may still be gaps. Then, with precise information about the needs you are trying to meet, evaluate product options with attention to 1) whether they serve the core need you are looking to address and 2) how they fit into your existing program.

Determine upfront what conditions a product should meet to be scaled (e.g., evidence of student impact, level of community satisfaction).

Pilot solutions at a small scale (e.g., one grade or one set of interested teachers) and learn quickly from student and teacher experiences and student outcomes. Use that information to decide what to adopt and how to support implementation. Designate a point person at the school and school system levels for each pilot, so you have someone ready to inform adoption and scaling decisions.

Form active partnerships with product developers. Understand what you can customize, offer feedback on changes you want to see, and ask how you will be kept in the loop about product changes. Many teachers and leaders we met glowed about working closely with product leaders to make sure the product served their school system's needs.

If the conditions for scaling are met, expand the reach of promising solutions. Leverage early adopters to inform clear expectations for use and co-lead training for other teachers and leaders, emphasizing how you expect teachers to use the product in conjunction with the rest of your instructional program. Expect the first year of scaling to require continuous improvement.

Communicate with your community, especially parents, about your thought process and due diligence; give your community a way to see the tools in action.