SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today released comprehensive statewide guidance to support school districts in the informed use of artificial intelligence in K-12 education.
Developed in response to
Public Act 104-0399, the guidance provides a framework for how schools can thoughtfully integrate artificial intelligence into teaching, learning, and operations while maintaining the central role of educators and prioritizing student development. ISBE developed the guidance with input from a blue-ribbon panel of advisors representing expertise in education, technology, and public policy.
"This guidance makes clear that AI is a tool to support teaching and learning, not a replacement for the relationships that ground teaching and learning,"
said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders. “Our responsibility is to help schools navigate new technologies in a way that strengthens instruction, protects students, and builds trust for informed AI use between districts and the families and communities they serve.”
“Parents and guardians should be able to trust that the technology in their student’s classroom is being used responsibly, not placing their child at risk,”
said State Senator Doris Turner, D-Springfield. “That’s what this guidance is all about — striking that balance with clear, transparent policies if a school district chooses to use AI as a tool to support student learning.”
"Building digital fluency for all students means providing accessible, engaging learning experiences in AI, computer science, and data science education,"
said Julia Wynn, senior director of State Government Affairs for CodeAI and member of the blue-ribbon panel. "Illinois is reinforcing its commitment to serving every student by providing essential guidance to help districts shape the future of AI education for students of all backgrounds."
The guidance is anchored in four core tenets that transcend any specific selection of AI:
- Teaching and learning are grounded in human relationships.
- Schools serve academic, developmental, and civic purposes.
- AI is a means to inform teaching and learning, not an end in itself.
- Effective use requires deliberate, locally determined purpose and oversight.
The guidance does not create statewide mandates for classroom AI use. Instead, the guidance is designed to help districts make informed decisions based on local context, capacity, and community priorities. It includes practical tools, model policy resources, and case studies to support implementation.
The document addresses a wide range of considerations, including:
- Uses of AI to support instructional planning and delivery to enrich student engagement
- A developmentally grounded approach to teaching digital citizenship
- Data privacy, security, and legal compliance (e.g., district AI policies inclusive of acceptable use and informed use policies)
- Equity, accessibility, and bias mitigation
- Governance, procurement, and district policy development
- Helping staff, families, and the community agree on why and how AI will be used before choosing tools and deciding how to track implementation
The guidance emphasizes that decisions about AI purpose and use must remain grounded in professional judgment and human oversight.
"As AI becomes increasingly present in students' lives, schools have a responsibility to help young people understand its capabilities and limitations while ensuring it is used in ways that strengthen rather than replace learning,"
said Rebecca Winthrop, director of the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution and member of the blue-ribbon panel. "Illinois' guidance reflects a thoughtful approach that prepares students for an AI-infused world, supports their growth as individuals and active participants in society, and helps educators determine when AI meaningfully enhances teaching and learning."
"Every decision schools make should begin with the needs of students,"
said Dr. Tina Halliman, superintendent of schools for SPEED Special Education Cooperative District 802 and member of the blue-ribbon panel. "This guidance encourages educators to consider how AI can expand access, remove barriers, and support individualized learning while ensuring that students continue to benefit from the expertise, care, and personal relationships that only educators can provide."
"As schools navigate a rapidly evolving AI landscape, clear governance and shared expectations are essential,"
said James Larimore, co-founder and chairperson of the EdSAFE AI Alliance and member of the blue-ribbon panel. "Illinois' guidance provides districts with a practical framework for approaching AI through the lenses of safety, accountability, transparency, and effective use while keeping educators and students at the center of decision-making."
ISBE will continue to support districts through the development of role-specific guidance for district and school personnel and other audiences, additional resources, and no-cost professional learning opportunities during the 2026-27 school year.
The guidance document and subsequent resources are available on ISBE’s AI Guidance webpage. Illinois school districts can submit questions to AIGuidance@isbe.net.
