In a continuing attempt to harness the educational potential of AI and guard against its misuse, states, school leaders and policymakers are determining how this rapidly evolving technology fits into classrooms and district operations.
In late 2025, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) released an AI model policy for academic use, following a new state requirement that every public, community and STEM school adopt an AI framework by July 1, 2026. Schools can either use the state model or customize it to reflect local needs, allowing flexibility while ensuring basic expectations are met, according to a statement dew.
The model policy is part of a broader AI strategy being pursued by Ohio. In May 2024, state-led initiatives InnovateOhio and the AI in Education Coalition released a report strategize on how the state can prepare students, educators, and communities for the impact of AI. The report cites core skills such as AI proficiency, data literacy, critical thinking and adaptability, and says schools should help students develop and thrive in an AI-powered society. The strategy also recommends districts implement local AI policies, form AI task forces, and provide professional development for educators.
Ohio and nonprofit organization aiEDU published a seven-part article AI Toolkit in 2024, which provides resources for educators, families, and policymakers to increase AI readiness.
MODEL POLICY: LITERACY, GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY
The state’s model AI policy emphasizes mastering AI through “integration of AI into relevant curricula, professional learning opportunities, and safe and responsible use.” To guide implementation, the model calls for structured governance through stakeholder engagement. Districts are encouraged to convene “a standing AI working group” – or expand an existing group – to inform policies and practices. The task force is expected to include “educators representative of grade levels and departments, including professionals in special education and related services,” as well as board members, students, and external partners such as “local businesses and postsecondary institutions.” The group should “regularly review new research and directions and provide ongoing feedback” to the district.
The policy also encourages family and community engagement: “Parents and community members should be informed, through ongoing engagement, of the skills students need for the future workforce and how AI is used in the classroom. » It notes that districts can provide resources on “potential risks associated with unsupervised use of AI tools.”
Data privacy and security are also central requirements. Any AI tool must comply with “existing privacy and data security policies,” including protections for “personally identifiable information (PII), [the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act] FERPA and any other relevant Ohio state and federal laws. Tools must only process necessary data “securely, transparently and ethically,” according to the policy.
The policy also reinforces expectations for acceptable use, academic integrity, and continued review of policies as technology continues to evolve. The paper presents AI as “a tool to support learning and teaching, not a substitute for student efforts or the role of the educator.”
A NATIONAL TREND
Ohio’s mandate to adopt AI policies by mid-2026 places it among growing number of states requiring formal guidance on AI in schools.
Educators and policymakers across the country are increasingly working to balance the benefits of AI for instruction and personalized support with concerns about academic integrity, fairness and data protection. Ohio’s model policy and strategy can serve as a model for other states as they develop their own approaches.
