AI Policy in Schools 2026: What District Leaders Must Do Now

(Part 2 of the Series: AI in Education—From Guidance to Governance)

In Part 1 of this series, we shared what educators are actually saying after learning how to use AI responsibly. Confidence increased. Shared language improved. Fear decreased.

Now the conversation is shifting again.

AI in education is no longer just about classroom experimentation.
It is about governance.

Under Ohio House Bill 96, every school district must adopt a formal policy on the use of artificial intelligence no later than July 1, 2026. Districts are encouraged to form AI workgroups focused on ethical use, data privacy, academic integrity, and staff training.

This marks a significant shift in AI implementation in school districts.

It is no longer optional guidance.
It is structured responsibility.

The National Shift Toward AI Governance in Education

Ohio is not alone.

The National Association of State Boards of Education recently stated:

“In 2026, the focus will be on transitioning from initial AI guidance to enforcing policies, with a heavy emphasis on safety, equity, and ensuring that both teachers and students are prepared for an AI-driven workforce.”

That shift, from guidance to enforcement, signals a broader movement in AI governance in education.

The early phase of AI adoption focused on exploration.
2026 will focus on structure, compliance, and workforce readiness.

District leaders must prepare accordingly.

What AI Policy in Schools Must Address

Under HB 96 and similar emerging legislation nationwide, districts must consider:

• Ethical AI use in classrooms
  
• Student data privacy protections
  
• Academic integrity standards
  
• Staff professional development
  
• Leadership oversight and accountability
  
  

AI professional development for schools is no longer a bonus offering.
It is foundational to policy compliance.

But policy language alone will not build readiness.

Policy Without Training Creates Risk

In our most recent AI in Education cohort:

• 93% reported feeling confident using AI responsibly after completing the course
  
• 83% identified responsible use and academic integrity as the most urgent AI-related student needs
  
  

Confidence increased when educators were given:

• Clear guardrails
  
• Practical workflows
• Plug-and-Play instructional toolkits for teachers to use with students
  
• Shared district expectations
  
• Leadership alignment
  
  

Written policy does not create confidence.

Structured AI professional development does.

Districts that implement AI policies without accompanying training risk confusion, misuse, and inconsistent expectations across classrooms.

What Prepared School Districts Are Doing Now

Across districts participating in our AI in Education course and Innovators Network, several consistent leadership patterns are emerging.

Prepared districts are:

• Forming AI workgroups before being required to
  
• Establishing “no personally identifiable information” guardrails
  
• Aligning AI classroom use with district policy
  
• Training leaders before issuing mandates
  
• Creating transparency expectations for students
  
  

These districts are not reacting to AI.
They are structuring it.

This is what effective AI implementation in school districts looks like.

Funding and AI Professional Development in Ohio

For Ohio districts, TechCred funding may support AI training initiatives. However, funding windows are limited and move quickly.

Districts must have a plan in place before applying.

Joining our AI in Education waiting list ensures:

• Notification when TechCred windows open
  
• Access to our AI Leadership Readiness Toolkit
  
• Support aligning AI training to HB 96 requirements
  
• Guidance on identifying additional funding pathways
  
  

Funding or no funding, readiness requires leadership planning.

AI in Education 2026: Leadership Is the Differentiator

AI policy in schools is becoming the baseline expectation.

AI leadership is the advantage.

By July 1, 2026, every Ohio district must have a policy in place. But the districts that will lead in AI in education 2026 will be those that go beyond compliance.

They will have:

• Trained educators
  
• Clear district-wide expectations
  
• Ethical guardrails
  
• Ongoing support systems
  
• Leadership confidence
  
  

Policy establishes direction.
Training builds capacity.
Leadership sustains impact.

Your Next Step

If your district is preparing for the July 1, 2026, AI policy deadline or anticipating similar mandates in your state, now is the time to begin structured planning.

Join the AI in Education waiting list to receive readiness resources and funding updates.

Schedule a discovery call to explore what responsible, policy-aligned AI implementation could look like in your district.

Part 3 of this series will explore the five AI workflows school leaders are using to move from policy to practical execution.

AI policy is required.
AI leadership is intentional.