California Educators · October 2026
Artificial Intelligence and K–12 Education
A Curated Resource Guide for California Educators
Start Here: What Every California Administrator Needs to Know
1. What California now requires
Three laws now shape AI in California schools. AB 2876 (2024) requires AI literacy to be incorporated into K–12 curriculum frameworks. SB 1288 (2024) directed the CDE to develop AI guidance and a model policy — both delivered on time (guidance January 2026, model policy June 2026). AB 1159 (2026) prohibits edtech vendors from using student data to train AI models — the strongest student data privacy law in the nation. The CDE model policy is not mandatory, but it is the official state template and the starting point for every California district. See Section 1.
2. Where your peers are — and how far apart they are
California districts are taking dramatically different approaches — from full student AI bans (LAUSD, 420,000+ students, September 2026) to comprehensive district-wide integration with board-adopted policies (Elk Grove, San Dieguito, Portola Valley, Castaic). A September 2026 PACE study of 83 California districts found that 39% have no organized AI response at all. Only 20% have a broader organizational strategy. Most districts are somewhere in the middle: staff are already using AI, but policy and professional learning haven't caught up. Section 2 catalogs California districts across the full spectrum.
3. Where to start if you're building a policy
Most California districts have found it helpful to begin with the CDE Model AI Policy and CSBA's BP 0441 template (Section 4). Then use the TeachAI Toolkit or EDSAFE AI Policy Lab resources to structure your community engagement and drafting process. Look at 2–3 district examples from Section 2 that match your size and community context. The most important thing is not to wait for the perfect policy — the districts furthest ahead started with a draft, involved stakeholders, and revised as they learned.
How to use this guide: Entries marked ★ are especially recommended. Sections 1–4 are California-specific. Sections 5–12 provide national context, frameworks, curriculum tools, and professional learning. Use the sidebar to navigate directly to what you need.
1.
California AI Policy — Laws, Guidance & Model Policy
California has moved faster than nearly any other state on AI in education. This section documents California's legislation, official guidance, and model policy — essential reading for every California educator and district leader.
California AI Education Legislation
Three laws passed between 2024 and 2026 establish California's legislative framework for AI in K–12. Together they address curriculum integration, district guidance and model policy, and student data privacy.
AB 2876 (Berman, signed September 2024) — AI Literacy in K–12 Curriculum
Directs California's Instructional Quality Commission (IQC) to incorporate AI literacy into the mathematics, science, and history-social science curriculum frameworks and instructional materials at their next revision. Defines AI literacy broadly to include how AI works, its core concepts, applications, limitations, ethical issues, and real-world impacts. Also strengthens media literacy across subject areas. Passed the state Assembly and Senate unanimously.
SB 1288 (Becker, signed 2024) — AI Working Group, Guidance & Model Policy
Required the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to convene a statewide AI in Education Working Group. Charged the group with: (1) developing guidance for school districts on the safe use of AI — due January 1, 2026; and (2) developing a model policy for LEAs and charter schools with equity considerations — due July 1, 2026. Both deliverables were completed on time. The model policy and guidance are nonmandatory but serve as the official California template.
AB 1159 (Addis, signed September 2026) — Student Data Privacy & AI Training Prohibition
California's landmark student data privacy law. Prohibits education technology companies from selling student data and from using it to train or develop AI models. Extends protections to both K–12 and higher education students. Any edtech vendor contract in California must be reviewed for compliance. Expected to influence national vendor contract terms.
Official CDE AI Guidance & Model Policy
Released June 25, 2026, pursuant to SB 1288. Provides LEAs and charter schools a ready-to-adapt template organized around 26 core principles: Privacy by Design, Data Entry Restrictions, Transparency and Informed Consent, AI Tool Evaluation, Vendor Contract Requirements, Academic Integrity, Equitable Access, and Student Risk Protocols. Nonmandatory but the official California template.
California's comprehensive 2025 AI guidance for TK–12 educators. Addresses human-centered AI design, AI literacy aligned to the Five Big Ideas (AI4K12), curriculum framework alignment, equity, data privacy, and professional learning.
CDE's central page for all AI-related guidance, model policy, legislation updates, and educator resources. The single best starting point for California educators and district leaders.
Official page for the AI in Education Working Group convened under SB 1288. Includes member roster, public meeting records, and the group's deliverables.
The CDE's official letter to county and district superintendents announcing the model policy release. Useful context for district leaders on the intent and scope of the document.
Context, Analysis & Implementation Support
Legal analysis of the CDE Model AI Policy from Lozano Smith. Explains the 26 core principles, vendor contract implications, and practical steps for districts around privacy, procurement, and data audits.
Legal overview of AB 2876 and SB 1288. Explains requirements, timelines, and what districts should do next. Recommended for district and site leaders preparing board presentations.
Accessible overview of the SB 1288 workgroup launch — useful for briefing school board members and stakeholders on California's legislative intent.
Plain-language overview of AB 2876 — excellent for sharing with teachers, parents, and community stakeholders.
September 2026 CalMatters investigative piece on AB 1159 — explains how edtech companies have been using student data and what the new law requires.
Technical analysis distinguishing state-level duties from local recommendations. Clarifies that the California model policy is exemplary (nonmandatory) at the district level.
Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE) practice brief based on interviews with leaders from 83 California school districts. Key finding: 39% of California districts have no organized AI response; only 20% have a broader organizational response. Recommends communities of practice for building educator adaptive expertise. Co-authored by Lead by Learning and Stanford. PACE is housed at USC Rossier, Stanford GSE, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, and UCLA.
Legal alert from Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo (AALRR), one of California's leading K-12 education law firms. Covers the 2026 AI laws most consequential for school districts as public employers: SB 947 (automated decision systems in discipline/termination, effective July 1, 2027), AB 1883 (AI workplace surveillance, emotion recognition, neural data), SB 574 (attorneys using generative AI), and the AI audit framework. Includes a practical compliance checklist. Recommended for district HR, general counsel, and senior leadership.
Comprehensive legal summary of all 25+ California AI and privacy bills signed in the 2026 legislative session, organized by six themes: protecting minors online, AI accountability, consumer data rights, surveillance and tracking, clinical AI, and AI transparency. Includes a full table of every law with effective dates.
Adopted at the 2026 California State PTA Convention — the only formal PTA resolution on AI in California. Six RESOLVED clauses call for: equitable AI access for all learners; AI literacy and ethics in teacher preparation and PD; hardware/software/internet support for schools; state/federal AI safety and risk assessments; environmental sustainability practices; and submission to National PTA. A strong community accountability anchor for district AI policy work.
2.
California District AI Policies — Who Has Adopted & What They Look Like
California districts are taking dramatically different approaches to AI — and that spectrum is part of the story. On one end: LAUSD imposed a full student AI moratorium in September 2026. On the other: districts like Elk Grove, San Dieguito, Portola Valley, and Castaic have board-adopted policies, staff ARs, and public-facing implementation pages. Most districts sit somewhere between those poles — staff using AI informally, guidance developing, board action still pending. California does not mandate districts to adopt AI policies; the CDE model policy is nonmandatory. CSBA is the central infrastructure supporting district-level policy development through its AI Taskforce and GAMUT policy service.
The CSBA Role — Central Resource for California Districts
CSBA convened an AI Taskforce to help board members navigate AI from a governance perspective. The taskforce identifies policy areas affected by AI and provides sample policy language through CSBA's GAMUT policy service — updated quarterly. Many California districts adopting AI policies are using CSBA's template as their starting point. Includes a Promising Practices and Policies page with California LEA examples, board-adopted resolutions, and real scenarios boards have faced. Free for CSBA members.
CSBA released sample Board Policy 0441 – Artificial Intelligence as part of its June 2025 Policy Update Packet. Emphasizes ethical and human-centered AI use, outlines the board's role in ensuring AI supports rather than replaces instruction, and can be adapted by any California district to reflect local context.
February 2025 article by LA County Superintendent Debra Duardo documenting how LACOE has been collaborating with local districts on AI integration — with profiles of Lynwood USD, Torrance USD, and El Segundo USD.
July 2025 EdSource brief covering the CSBA AI Taskforce resource launch — fact sheets, research briefs, and four webinars on legal considerations, ethical frameworks, policy and procurement, and AI performance in schools.
California Districts with Formally Adopted Policies
These districts have formally board-adopted AI policies or comprehensive guidance adopted through a formal district process.
Board adopted BP 0441 Artificial Intelligence in January 2026. Also updated BP 6163.4 / E 6163.4 (student tech use), BP 4040 (staff tech use), and BP 5131.9 (academic honesty). Covers data privacy aligned to SOPIPA and CA NDPA, academic integrity, equitable access, and ongoing staff PD. One of the most transparent district AI implementations in California.
Governing Board adopted an AI policy on September 3, 2025. Includes district-developed AI Guidance created by staff from all school sites, as well as school-managed versions of AI tools with enhanced data-privacy protections and content filters. Clear public-facing AI page with guidance, policy, and parent/guardian contact information.
Developed comprehensive Ethical and Responsible Use of AI Guidance through a community process including three public roundtable meetings and a month-long public comment period. Updated by an AI Literacy Task Force in 2025–26. Uses Google Gemini for grades 7–12. Created a unique "transparency badge" system — AI Collab and HI (Human Intelligence). One of the most community-engaged AI policy processes in California.
Board adopted BP 0441 – Artificial Intelligence in April 2026, along with two supporting Administrative Regulations: AR 0441.04 (Employee Use of AI) and AR 0441.05 (Student Use of AI). The AI Task Force formed in August 2025 led the policy development process, which included virtual community forums. The district's Digital Citizenship hub includes AI literacy definitions, Common Sense Education curriculum for grades 6–12, parent guides, and links to CDE resources.
Formal AI Guidelines explicitly aligned to CDE 2026 Guidance and California privacy laws. Single authorized AI environment: Google Gemini Enterprise (district-issued accounts only) — with a "Privacy Wall" contractually protecting data from training global models. Uses a Traffic Light Model for student assignments (Red = No AI, Yellow = AI Assisted, Green = AI Empowered). Bans AI for student placement or disciplinary decisions, IEP goals generated entirely via AI, and AI emotion surveillance.
One of the most research-informed small district AI implementations in California. AI Guidelines formally adopted June 2026. Grounded in Stanford University's PEERS Framework (Privacy, Ethics, Equity, Resource, Student Success). 5-level AI Use Levels Rubric. Community survey of 118 parent/guardian respondents with student focus groups (grades 4–8). Notes that 100% of surveyed middle schoolers had already used AI for school. A model for how small districts can develop research-informed, community-grounded AI policy.
Districts with Active Task Forces or Guidance in Progress
These districts have taken meaningful steps — forming task forces, developing guidance documents, or launching community engagement processes — but had not yet adopted a formal board policy as of this guide's publication.
Active AI Task Force with student, parent, educator, and administrator representation. Page last updated October 1, 2026. Roadmap includes launching an approved AI tool list, a student AI literacy curriculum for 2026-27, and a family education series. The district's Curriculum and Instruction department houses the AI in Education page alongside multilingual learner programs and instructional technology.
2026 AI K–12 Student Agency Award honoree. Formed an AI Task Force in November 2023 — one of California's earliest. The Lynwood AI Collaborative (launched 2024–25) positions students as civic problem-solvers who use AI as a thought partner. Students and teachers co-design AI tools including PlayLab bots for tutoring and classroom discourse. By May 2025, the majority of participating teachers at Firebaugh High used AI tools weekly or more.
Major policy shift as of September 2026: LAUSD restricted ALL student access to generative AI tools for the 2026-27 school year — a dramatic reversal from its previous position. The district formed a Generative AI Ad Hoc Committee on September 3, 2026, which will report policy recommendations to the school board by end of the 2026-27 year. Makes LAUSD one of the largest districts in the country to impose a full student AI moratorium, alongside NYC.
2026 AI K–12 Student Agency Award honoree and a member of the inaugural 2024-25 EDSAFE AI Policy Lab cohort — one of only two California districts in that first national cohort (alongside Lynwood USD). Launched its AI Policy Lab in December 2023 in partnership with the EdSAFE AI Alliance, grounded in the SAFE Framework. A strong early-mover model in California for community-engaged AI policy development.
One of the most comprehensive district AI implementation pages in California. San Juan conducted a full evaluation pilot before purchasing a district-wide MagicStudent license for grades 2 and above. The Instructional Technology page includes detailed sections for families and students on what generative AI is, how MagicStudent was selected, non-negotiables for tool use (data privacy, accessibility, multilingual support), and a clear position against AI detector tools.
2026 AI K–12 Student Agency Award honoree. IUSD has a dedicated Director of Learning Design, Differentiation & AI Integration, approved platforms (Gemini for high school, MagicSchool and Snorkl for younger grades), and a well-organized public-facing AI hub with subpages on AI Literacy, Academic Honesty, AI Tips for Parents, and a district FAQ. Launched AI Literacy modules for all grades 4–12. Conducted 40+ student focus group classroom visits to ground next steps in actual student needs.
California's largest Central Valley district. Comprehensive AI hub with four subpages: AI Guidance, AI Guidebook, AI Literacy, and AI Governance. Uses Microsoft 365/Copilot ecosystem. Particularly relevant for educators working with large multilingual learner populations — Fresno Unified serves a high-needs, highly diverse community.
High-performing TK-12 district (ranked #1 in Ventura County, 4 National Blue Ribbon Schools) with a well-organized public AI page. Includes an AI philosophy statement, appropriate/inappropriate use guidance organized by student and staff roles, data privacy guidance, and AB 2876 legislative context with citations. Explicit guidance that AI is a tool, not an emotional companion.
Board unanimously approved AI guidelines in October 2025, with notable buy-in from student board trustee Jessica Salas: "Students are using AI constantly — we need to teach responsibility." The policy establishes nine principles: student-centered, ethical and transparent, equitable and accessible, secure and private, and accountable. Board president requested AI staff training become mandatory with annual policy review.
Active Technology Advisory Committee with student ambassadors from every school site. Board-approved Educational Technology Plan includes AI in the digital literacy and citizenship curriculum for all students. Approved district tools include Snorkl, MagicSchool, and Google Gemini. Board Policy 5131.9 addresses academic honesty and AI use.
Strong implementation framework with AI Lead Teachers at school sites, student listening sessions (separate sessions for middle and high school students in spring 2026), and districtwide staff development on AI literacy and classroom practice. Published Generative AI Guidelines for course syllabi.
Active AI Committee comprised of educators, administrators, and technology specialists. A Torrance Unified EdTech team member served on the LACOE 40-member AI Task Force that developed LACOE's 2024 generative AI guidelines — giving TUSD direct influence on county-level guidance. The district has received media recognition for responsible AI implementation.
District trustee Susan Markarian serves as Chair of the CSBA AI Taskforce and is a leading voice in California on AI governance for school boards. No confirmed adopted district AI policy as of the date of this guide — included here because of the district's prominent role in shaping statewide guidance through CSBA.
2026 AI K–12 Student Agency Award Honorees
2026 AI K–12 Student Agency Award honoree. AUHSD's Student AI Framework was approved December 2025 and co-authored by student interns, centering "Youth Voice & Purpose" across grades 7–12. Skrappy AI metacognitive coach logged 151,000+ student reflections in one year. Multilingual AI Town Halls held in Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese.
2026 AI K–12 Student Agency Award honoree. Family-student AI testing events let grades 2 through high school test tools alongside parents as equal co-designers. High school students design and deliver digital literacy lessons to middle school peers on AI ethics. AI ethics embedded directly into teacher lesson-planning tools at the point of design.
2026 AI K–12 Student Agency Award honoree. Launched an AI Institute in 2025–26 through a "10% Club" of early-adopting teachers who design replicable AI-integrated lessons. AI Taskforce was a co-design body — students, parents, Board members — producing the CUSD AI Guidelines.
2026 AI K–12 Student Agency Award honoree. Integrates AI literacy across TK–8 through a newly developed Digital Literacy Progression. The AI+ Committee includes educators, parents, Cal State Fullerton Educational Technology professors, and community members. Students are guided as active trainers and evaluators of AI.
2026 AI K–12 Student Agency Award honoree. Built the most rigorous AI governance framework in the district's history: 36 educators generating 223 approval criteria through an AI Task Force, with 71% of criteria explicitly protecting student data privacy. Equity audits are built into the approval process as a non-negotiable threshold.
2026 AI K–12 Student Agency Award honoree. Charter school treating AI as a shared learning journey through an Explore → Create → Learn framework. Students co-designed the school's AI framework, launched companies that won state pitch competitions, and were accepted into the Fall 2025 Y Combinator cohort.
Key Cautionary Cases for California Leaders
September 2026 report on LAUSD's full student AI moratorium for 2026-27 — affecting 420,000+ students. Context on the Generative AI Ad Hoc Committee, the prior "Ed" chatbot failure, and what the broader implications are for AI policy in large urban districts.
An incident involving Adobe AI software at an LAUSD elementary school raised questions about AI tool vetting and the adequacy of state-level guidance. Useful for understanding what can go wrong when AI tools are deployed without robust approval processes.
Survey of California districts documenting the full spectrum of approaches — from fully embraced to loosely defined. Recommended reading for any California leader developing or updating an AI position.
3.
California Resources — Curriculum, PD & Community
Beyond policy, these California-specific resources support curriculum alignment, professional learning, and community engagement.
Curated by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) AI Task Force for California TK-12 administrators and education leaders. Includes a free 5-part AI Rising online learning course, state and national policy resources, district examples, and an AI Policy Generator tool powered by GPT-4.1. The primary ACSA entry point for California school leaders engaging with AI.
LACOE's comprehensive AI hub for Los Angeles County educators. Includes the LACOE AI Blueprint, the 2024 Generative AI in TK-12 Education Guidelines, an AI Literacy Communications Toolkit, six professional development workshop modules, video resources including the Ed Buzz LA County series, and a curated resource library. To schedule workshops, contact edtech@lacoe.edu.
Comprehensive AI hub from RCOE. Signature offering is the AI-Ready Educator certification course. Additional offerings include a Student AI Summit in a Box (free for Riverside County districts), an AI Seal of Readiness for students, and a curated School District Guide to AI Implementation. Explicitly integrates AI into the Superintendent's strategic priorities. Contact: Dr. Jeff Oldfield (joldfield@rcoe.us) and Dr. Heidi Baynes (hbaynes@rcoe.us).
One of the strongest county office AI resource hubs in California. Organized by role — Administrators, Educators, Counselors, and Family Engagement Leaders. Includes links to Lozano Smith legal resources, CDE 2025 AI Guidelines, TeachAI Toolkit, sample AI guidance/policy documents from California districts, and an SBCSS family parent letter template. Page last updated October 1, 2026. Contact: Dr. Sonal Patel, Program Manager for Digital Learning and Computer Science.
Panel resources and professional learning from CS for CA focused on making AI accessible and understandable for California educators and students — aligned to state standards.
Faculty-led AI projects, Challenge Grants, a Substack, and a podcast exploring AI in teaching and learning. California community college and K–12 focused.
AVID's open-access resources for integrating AI thoughtfully — particularly valuable for urban and underserved school contexts common in California.
4.
Tools for Creating District AI Policy
Practical, action-oriented tools for districts actively writing or revising an AI policy — templates, toolkits, step-by-step processes, and sample board language. If you need something to put in front of your board or bring to a community meeting, start here. (For broader national policy context and research frameworks, see Section 6.)
California's official model policy template for LEAs and charter schools, released June 25, 2026. Organized around 26 core principles. The starting point for every California district. Nonmandatory but the official state template.
The California School Boards Association's AI Taskforce provides sample policy language (BP 0441) and governance guidance through CSBA's GAMUT policy service. Updated quarterly. The dominant tool for California district policy development.
The gold-standard national policy toolkit — co-developed by Code.org, CoSN, Digital Promise, PACE, and the European EdTech Alliance. Seven guiding principles, sample language, real-world examples, and a three-stage framework. Free.
Released June 2025. Structured, action-oriented guide with ready-to-use templates, implementation guides, and customizable resources. Emphasizes community input, equity, and compliance. Free.
A Google.org-funded national community of practice now in its third cohort (2026-27), uniting 36 school districts and 15 states. Guided by the SAFE Framework (Safety, Accountability, Fairness & Transparency, Efficacy). Produces shared resources including acceptable use policies, parent communication and consent guidelines, PD materials, and ethical frameworks — all open-licensed under Creative Commons. Notable California districts in previous cohorts: El Segundo USD, Lynwood USD, and Santa Ana USD. Includes a self-paced Policy Essentials course and the "Polly C." AI policy chatbot.
The NEA's sample school board resolution and policy on AI, grounded in best practices from across the country. Covers academic integrity, student data privacy, teacher training, equity, and ethical AI use. Particularly useful for boards wanting a peer-reviewed starting point beyond CSBA's GAMUT template.
Includes a clearly structured 6-step process, model board policy template, statewide policy examples, and an AI EdTech Vendor Vetting Checklist — practical for any district.
Oregon's practical protocol guide: self-assessment, readiness checks, policy language examples, and connections to existing policies (AUP, data privacy, academic integrity). Includes real district examples.
California Association of Learning Innovation and Equity (CALIE, formerly CUE) infographic article. Includes a shareable Canva infographic, discussion stems, sample email prompt, and strategies for distributing the resource to staff and leadership. A low-barrier starting point for teachers who want to advocate for AI policy development at their site or district.
October 2025 EdWeek article based on interviews with district leaders and the EdWeek Research Center survey (nearly half of educators say their district has no AI policy). Five practices: community input; build in flexibility; define appropriate use and data protection; address AI bias and equity explicitly; pair with professional development. Cites La Vista High School in Fullerton CA.
Guidance from the Consortium for School Networking on AI governance, tool procurement, policy development, and stakeholder engagement.
What school AI policies actually include — definitions, access, ethical use, data privacy, academic integrity — with real district examples and the stoplight framework.
5.
Existing State & District AI Policies — National Examples
Real-world policy examples from states and districts across the U.S. As of mid-2026, 37 states plus Puerto Rico have official AI guidance for K–12. These national examples provide benchmarks and models for California districts developing their own policies.
Interactive database tracking 122 school organizations across 38 states on a 1–5 policy permissiveness continuum. Key findings: 44% of organizations sit at Level 3 (Conditional/Teacher-Directed); only 13 have confirmed board-adopted policies; board-adopted policies average 0.4 levels more permissive than guidance-only. A practical benchmarking tool for California leaders assessing where their district sits nationally. Data current as of 2025.
The most comprehensive and current directory of state-level AI policies for K–12 education. As of June 2026, covers 37 states plus Puerto Rico. Updated regularly.
One of the earliest and most substantive district-level board-adopted generative AI policies in the country, adopted August 29, 2024. Covers student and staff responsibilities, defines appropriate AI use and academic integrity expectations, requires FERPA compliance, and explicitly addresses AI bias and inaccuracy. A practical model for California districts drafting their first board policy.
New York City Mayor Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Samuels launched a student AI moratorium and screen time policy for 2026-27 — one of the largest student AI bans in the country alongside LAUSD. The NYC approach pairs restriction with literacy: a mandatory AI literacy module twice per year for high schoolers covering bias, ethics, risks, and career impacts.
Ohio released a model policy all districts were required to adopt by July 1, 2026. One of the strongest state mandates in the country.
Comprehensive state guidance covering risk profiles, implementation examples, collective bargaining considerations, and community engagement strategies.
Oregon's March 2025 policy guide, including examples from Salem-Keizer, Eugene 4J, and Hillsboro districts.
Interactive map and tracker of U.S. state guidance plus international examples. Excellent for cross-state comparison.
September 10, 2026 national news report documenting the wave of AI restrictions taking effect at the start of the 2026-27 school year — LAUSD and NYC student moratoriums, California's SB 813 and AB 1405, Illinois's 400-page AI Blueprint, and Arizona's pending AI instruction mandate. Useful for understanding the national climate in which California's approach sits.
April 2026 analysis tracking 134 AI education bills in 31 states across three themes: student data privacy, AI usage boundaries and oversight, and AI literacy/graduation requirements. Useful for California leaders contextualizing their state's approach within the national legislative landscape.
2026 report on Idaho, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Virginia mandating district-level AI policies — including parental opt-out rights and annual AI tool disclosure requirements.
2026 overview of where states are leading on AI policy and where gaps remain. Includes an interactive U.S. State AI Legislation Tracker.
6.
National Policy & Frameworks
National frameworks, research, and policy landscape resources — useful for understanding where California fits nationally, grounding your own approach in evidence, and briefing board members or community stakeholders on the bigger picture. (For practical tools to write a policy, see Section 4.)
The National Education Association's comprehensive AI in Education hub. Includes the NEA Task Force Report and Policy Statement (2024), 12 AI micro-credentials, a webinar series with ISTE, seven independent study courses, an AI Glossary, a vetting guide, a sample school board resolution and policy, FERPA and COPPA overviews for school leaders, and EDSAFE AI policy trackers. Recommended for district leaders making the case for teacher voice in AI governance.
CSTA & AI4K12's foundational framework defining what all K–12 students should know about AI, organized by grade band. Updated 2025. Referenced in California's 2025 CDE AI Guidance.
From the Center for Innovation, Design, and Digital Learning (CIDDL), funded by a U.S. Department of Education cooperative agreement. Published April 2025, updated January 2026. Specifically designed to account for the full range of learner needs — including students with disabilities and diverse learners. Free downloadable PDF. Particularly valuable for California districts with significant special education populations or multilingual learners.
Developed by Regional Comprehensive Centers 2, 13, and 15 for the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Educational Technology. Based on a webinar series with seven state education agencies and national AI experts including PACE's H. Alix Gallagher. Ten practical considerations for state and district leaders navigating AI governance.
The Council of Chief State School Officers' growing repository of state AI resources, organized by state and national organization. Covers California through Wyoming, with links to state guidance documents from 20+ states. A useful one-stop cross-reference for leaders wanting to compare California's approach to other states.
The landmark 2023 federal report with insights and recommendations covering learning, teaching, assessment, equity, and research.
Resources for superintendents and district leaders from the School Superintendents Association.
Education Commission of the States' national overview of state AI guidelines, legislation, and executive orders as of April 2026.
Official U.S. Copyright Office guidance on AI and copyright — essential for educators and students working with AI-generated content.
7.
Curriculum & Lesson Design
Structured curricula and lesson-design tools for teaching about AI and with AI across grade levels.
AI4K12 ★
The definitive K–12 AI curriculum framework from CSTA and AAAI. Grade-band progressions aligned to the Five Big Ideas in AI. Referenced directly in California's 2025 CDE AI Guidance.
Free, hands-on curriculum for K–12 students introducing AI and its real-world impacts. Developed by MIT RAISE and trusted by 2M+ students. Updated 2026.
Stanford-developed curricular resources for teaching about AI across disciplines.
Free course collection from OpenAI's Academy specifically designed for K–12 educators. Updated 2025.
OpenAI's practical guide for teachers on using ChatGPT responsibly in the classroom.
Generate engagement activities, learning objectives, success criteria, assessments, rubrics, and more.
Create any classroom resource, writing exemplar, lesson plan, or activity with AI assistance.
Streamlines planning and prep for teachers with AI-powered workshop tools and lesson design features.
Curriculum-aligned lesson and assessment generator for structured lesson planning.
Free curriculum for teaching young students how AI works using screen-free activities. Best for early elementary and robotics-based learning.
AVID's open-access resources for integrating AI thoughtfully into K–12 classroom instruction.
8.
Professional Learning & PD
Courses, training, and ongoing professional development for educators and administrators.
ISTE's flagship initiative helping educators and students develop AI literacy and responsible AI practices.
Learn to use Gemini and NotebookLM to save time, personalize instruction, and enhance lessons.
Comprehensive professional learning course from ISTE for educators ready to go deeper with AI.
Comprehensive path covering AI history, LLMs, generative AI, prompt engineering, responsible AI, and Copilot tools.
Harvard's teaching resources for using generative AI in course design, instruction, and learning environments.
Curated, regularly updated list of the best free AI courses available to K–12 educators.
Specialized training covering generative AI tools, responsible use, and AI policy development.
Faculty-led projects, AI Challenge Grants, Substack, and podcast — California-focused.
9.
AI Tools for Teachers
Practical tools to use in planning, instruction, and student support.
Teacher-focused AI platform with 50+ tools for lesson planning, rubric creation, differentiation, IEP support, parent communication, and more. Widely used in K–12 schools.
AI tool for lesson creation, feedback, and classroom workflows. Frequently recommended by teachers as a practical first tool. Approved for teacher use in ABC Unified.
AI research and study assistant for organizing and synthesizing source-based materials. Valuable for teacher prep, curriculum mapping, and student research support.
Khanmigo is Khan Academy's AI-powered tutor for students and assistant for teachers — free, world-class, and equity-focused.
Generate content including engagement activities, learning objectives, success criteria, assessments, and rubrics.
Adobe's educator hub covering generative AI tools, Express, Firefly, and classroom-ready creative tools.
10.
AI Literacy & Ethics
Resources for teaching responsible, equitable, and critical approaches to AI.
Practical guidance for what educators can do as AI technology evolves — covering academic integrity, student safety, and responsible use.
Expanded resource hub including student data privacy, deepfakes, and media literacy in the age of AI.
Research-based AI literacy framework defining what it means to critically understand, evaluate, and use AI systems.
Created by a teacher to give students and educators a voice in AI use and integration. Includes templates, prompts, ethical considerations, and a global map of advisory boards.
Official U.S. Copyright Office guidance on AI — critical for students and educators working with AI-generated content.
Research-based practices for district leaders developing AI literacy programs.
Peer-reviewed journal article calling for systemic K–12 AI literacy — grounded in research.
11.
Research & Featured Articles
Research reports, articles, and thought leadership on AI and K–12 education.
Landmark California research brief from Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE), based on interviews with 83 California district leaders. Finds that individual AI use has far outpaced organizational response in most districts — only 1 in 5 has a broader organizational response. Recommends sustained communities of practice for building educator adaptive expertise. Co-authored by Lead by Learning and Stanford. PACE is housed at USC Rossier and four other California universities.
Presented at the Student and Community Voice AI Summit in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education and AI for Equity. Profiles 12 district and school honorees — including Anaheim UHSD, Cajon Valley USD, Capistrano USD, El Segundo USD, Irvine USD, La Habra City SD, Lynwood USD, and Val Verde USD. A window into what leading California districts are doing right.
The federal government's foundational report on AI in education — covers learning, teaching, formative assessment, equity, and R&D.
Stanford HAI's current K–12 dedicated resource hub — updated regularly with research, tools, and guidance.
First national state-by-state analysis of AI education policies, standards, and graduation requirements. December 2025.
Comprehensive 2025 guide defining AI literacy, its importance for students, and how to teach it across grade levels.
Peer-reviewed research article on AI literacy in K–12 — covers why it matters and what systemic change is needed.
12.
Tool Directories & Discovery Hubs
Places to discover, compare, and evaluate AI tools for education — updated regularly.
The leading independent directory of AI tools for education, with trusted reviews, safety data, and editorial guidance.
The largest AI tools directory, updated daily across all categories including education.
Downloadable AI guidance including state-level guidance and key questions for teachers and students.
Curated list of 30+ AI tools for classroom use, with educator-friendly descriptions and use cases.
Community-sourced Padlet including presentations and tools compiled by CUE. Crowd-maintained — quality may vary.
Resources for educators exploring responsible AI use with students, including guidance on using Claude in educational contexts.
About This Resource Guide
This guide was compiled by Dr. Mariné Avagyan — international speaker, educator, and leadership coach with 25+ years in urban K–12 education as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and school and district administrator. She holds the International Coaching Federation's Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential. She partners with schools and districts on ELD and multilingual learner programs, instructional leadership, state and federal program compliance, and helping education leaders use AI tools to work more efficiently. She also coaches aspiring and new women leaders through her signature Own Your Leadership™ 90-day private coaching program.
It is designed to support California educators, instructional coaches, and school leaders who are navigating the AI landscape with intention and equity at the center.
Resources were reviewed and verified in October 2026. Links may change over time. If you find a broken link or would like to suggest an addition, please reach out via email or by phone.
marine@avagyanconsulting.com | 818-200-5086