Ohio Unveils Model AI Policy for Use by K-12 Schools

In an ongoing attempt to harness AI’s educational potential and guard against its misuse, states, school leaders and policymakers are determining how the fast-advancing technology fits into classrooms and district operations.

At the end of 2025, Ohio’s Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) released a model AI 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 may either use the state template or customize it to reflect local needs, allowing flexibility while ensuring baseline expectations are met, according to a statement from DEW.

The model policy is part of a broader AI strategy Ohio has pursued. In May 2024, state-led initiatives InnovateOhio and the AI in Education Coalition released a report strategizing on how the state can prepare students, educators and communities for AI’s impact. The report cited foundational skills like AI literacy, data literacy, critical thinking and adaptability, it said schools should help students develop, to thrive in an AI-powered society. The strategy also recommended districts implement local AI policies, form AI work groups and provide professional development for educators.

Ohio and the nonprofit aiEDU published a seven-part AI toolkit in 2024, which offers resources for educators, families and policymakers to increase AI readiness.

MODEL POLICY: LITERACY, GOVERNANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY

The state’s model AI policy emphasizes AI literacy through the “integration of AI into relevant curriculum, professional learning opportunities, and safe and responsible usage.”

To guide implementation, the model calls for structured governance through stakeholder engagement. Districts are encouraged to convene “an ongoing AI workgroup” — or expand an existing group — to inform policy and practice. The work group should include “educators who are representative of grade levels and departments, including special education and related services professionals,” along with board members, students and external partners such as “local businesses and postsecondary institutions.” The group is expected to “regularly review new research and guidance 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 about the skills students need for the future workforce and how AI is being used in the classroom.” It notes districts may provide resources on “the potential risks associated with the unsupervised use of AI tools.”

Data privacy and security are also central requirements. Any AI tool must comply with “existing data privacy and security policies,” including protections for “Personally Identifiable Information (PII), [the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act] FERPA, and any other relevant state of Ohio and federal laws.” Tools should only process necessary data “in a secure, transparent, and ethical manner,” per the policy.

The policy also reinforces expectations around acceptable use, academic integrity and ongoing policy review as technology continues to evolve. The document frames AI as “a tool to support learning and teaching, not a substitute for student effort or the role of the educator.”

A NATIONAL TREND

Ohio’s mandate to adopt AI policies by mid-2026 places it among a growing number of states requiring formal guidance on AI in schools.

Educators and policymakers nationwide are increasingly focused on balancing the benefits of AI for instruction and personalized support with concerns about academic integrity, equity and data protection. Ohio’s model policy and strategy may serve as a blueprint for other states as they craft their own approaches.