Navigating AI in Schools: EDSAFE Alliance Expands Support for Educators Nationwide

As artificial intelligence continues to integrate into daily life, its presence in K-12 education is rapidly growing. This presents both exciting opportunities and significant challenges for schools, districts, and state education agencies. How can educators harness AI's potential while ensuring student safety, data privacy, and equitable access? This crucial question is at the heart of the work being done by InnovateEDU's EDSAFE AI Alliance, which recently announced a significant expansion of its efforts to support educators nationwide.

According to InnovateEDU, the EDSAFE AI Alliance has launched its 2026–2027 District and State Policy Lab cohorts, adding 14 new school districts and 8 state-level education organizations to its network. This expansion means the Policy Lab network now encompasses 36 school districts and 15 states, directly impacting over 654,300 educators and millions of K-12 students across the United States. This growth is a testament to the urgent need for clear guidance and collaborative solutions in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI in education.

Building a Foundation for Responsible AI

The core mission of the EDSAFE AI Alliance, a project of InnovateEDU, is to help education leaders move beyond reactive technology adoption toward proactive, governance-first implementation of AI. The organization recognizes that school and state leaders are grappling with complex questions around data privacy, civil rights, instructional efficacy, and ethical deployment as generative AI reshapes learning environments. As Erin Mote, CEO and Co-Founder of InnovateEDU, stated, "AI is moving faster than standard educational policy cycles can keep up with. Without clear guardrails, we risk leaving school systems to figure out safety, equity, and data security and privacy in isolation."

To address this, the Policy Lab network employs an open-science approach, emphasizing evidence-based decision-making. Participants co-design an open-access "policy stack" grounded in EDSAFE AI's SAFE Framework (Safety, Accountability, Fairness & Transparency, and Efficacy). This framework provides a structured approach to developing practical resources, including acceptable use policies, parent communication guidelines, and ethical frameworks that can be adapted by districts nationwide.

For parents, understanding these frameworks can offer peace of mind. Knowing that their child's school is part of a national effort to thoughtfully integrate AI, with a focus on safety and ethical considerations, can help alleviate concerns about new technologies in the classroom. For students, this work means that AI tools introduced in schools are more likely to be designed with their well-being and learning outcomes as top priorities.

Collaboration: The Key to Capacity Building

One of the biggest hurdles facing schools and state education organizations is the sheer capacity needed to research, develop, and implement policies for emerging technologies like AI. InnovateEDU's Policy Lab model acts as a "force multiplier," as the organization describes it, bringing together like-minded institutions to problem-solve collaboratively. This collaborative approach ensures that leaders aren't "reinventing the wheel," but rather sharing insights and best practices.

Kimberley Thompson-Hairston, Director of Media and Technology & PIO at Stoke County Schools, highlighted the value of this collaboration, stating, "The most beneficial part of participating in the EDSAFE AI Policy Labs is being able to have like-minded people come to the table so we can have these deep, rich discussions." Andrea Claver, Project Manager at the EDSAFE AI Alliance, further emphasized this, noting that the labs "connect pioneering districts and state teams with expert networks and peer collaborators" to turn high-level ethical principles into practical operational realities.

This kind of shared learning is invaluable for teachers, too. As AI tools become more prevalent in classrooms, educators need clear guidelines and support to use them effectively and responsibly. Platforms like COSMIQ, a free voice-driven AI tutor for K-12 students, demonstrate the potential of AI to offer personalized learning support. With resources like COSMIQ, students can access immediate help with homework and understanding concepts, making learning more accessible. For teachers, understanding the policies that govern such tools is essential for integrating them safely and effectively into their instructional practices.

New Cohorts for 2026-2027

The 2026-2027 Policy Lab Network welcomes a diverse group of state entities and school districts, reflecting communities from across the country. These new participants include:

State Policy Labs:

• Arizona: Arizona Institute for Education and the Economy at Northern Arizona University
• Illinois: Illinois State Board of Education
• Minnesota: SWWC Service Cooperative
• North Carolina: North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI)
• Oregon: Clackamas Education Service District
• Oregon: Multnomah Education Service District
• Texas: Educate Texas
• Vermont: Vermont Agency of Education

District Policy Labs:

• AOS #91 Bar Harbor (Bar Harbor, ME)
• Arlington Public Schools (Arlington, VA)
• Atlanta Public Schools (Atlanta, GA)
• Aurora Public Schools (Aurora, CO)
• Bayaan Academy (Temple Terrace, FL)
• Cape Elizabeth School Department (Cape Elizabeth, ME)
• Center Moriches School District (Center Moriches, NY)
• DREAM Charter Schools (New York, NY)
• Elite Academic Academy (Temecula, CA)
• Red Apple Education / Charter Schools USA (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
• Saddle River Day School (Saddle River, NJ)
• St. Cloud Area Schools - ISD742 (St. Cloud, MN)
• Traverse City Area Public Schools (Traverse City, MI)
• Washington Leadership Academy (Washington, D.C.)

The expansion of the EDSAFE AI Alliance, supported by a multi-year grant from Google.org, is a significant step forward in ensuring that AI in education is deployed thoughtfully and responsibly. By fostering collaboration and providing practical frameworks, InnovateEDU is helping to empower educators and protect students as AI becomes an increasingly integral part of the learning journey. For students seeking additional support, tools like COSMIQ offer free practice hubs by grade and subject, demonstrating how AI can be a positive force in personalized learning.

This initiative by InnovateEDU demonstrates a proactive and collaborative approach to shaping the future of AI in education, ensuring that technological advancements serve the best interests of all learners and educators.