OSSE Releases AI Model Policy to Guide Responsible Staff Use in Schools

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) today released its AI Model Policy for Staff Use to support local education agencies (LEAs) across the District of Columbia as they consider how best to use artificial intelligence (AI) during the 2026-27 school year. The model policy provides clear, practical guidance for secure, ethical, and appropriate staff use of AI in schools and central offices, is designed to be customized by LEAs to fit local contexts and is offered as guidance only-not legal advice.

"Emerging technologies like AI are changing rapidly, and our job is to make sure schools have clear, practical guardrails as they decide what to use, when to use it, and how to use it responsibly," said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Antoinette S. Mitchell. "This model policy keeps human judgment at the center of decision-making, strengthens privacy and data protections, and empowers educators with guidance they can adapt to their communities."

The model policy is the first LEA staff AI guidance OSSE has issued, and the agency will review and update it as needed. This initial version responds to educator feedback gathered by OSSE in a February 2026 survey of LEA leaders, which found that just 45% of LEAs had established a staff AI policy. LEAs said a model policy from OSSE would be the most helpful support the agency could provide.

OSSE created the model policy after a thorough review of AI policies across the country and consultation with school leaders in the District. At the core of the model policy is a simple "stoplight" framework that clarifies where AI should not be used, where limited use may be appropriate with enhanced oversight, and where use is permitted with professional awareness and human review.

• "Red" categories prohibit AI use for high-stakes decisions that demand human judgment, including physical surveillance of students and staff, student discipline decisions, evaluations of teacher performance, and determining eligibility for individualized education programs (IEPs) or Section 504 accommodations.
• "Yellow" categories allow limited AI use with safeguards-for example, monitoring digital activity on LEA-issued devices, drafting IEP language, reviewing and grading student work, and providing supplemental coaching to educators.
• "Green" categories permit AI use with awareness and a human in the loop-such as drafting lesson plans, customizing student-facing materials, developing tutoring plans, analyzing data sets, preparing school communications, and supporting logistical operations.

In all cases, OSSE recommends that LEA staff use only approved enterprise tools. For any activity involving personally identifiable information, the model policy points out that tools must comply with applicable laws and best practices, including Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and the District's Protecting Students Digital Privacy Act of 2016.

"We know AI offers real opportunities to support teaching and learning, but with that opportunity comes a real need for safeguards," said Deputy Mayor for Education Paul Kihn. "This policy gives school leaders and teachers a straightforward way to determine when AI can add value and when it should be off-limits, so that schools can make thoughtful, student-centered choices. AI should enhance teaching and operations, but it should never be used to replace professional judgment."

The model policy is focused on staff use and does not set guidance for student use or tool procurement. OSSE recommends LEAs carefully assess their needs before adopting tools and ensure any vendors meet rigorous privacy and cybersecurity standards. It also recommends that staff complete robust training before using AI, demonstrate proficiency in AI literacy, renew training annually, and maintain human oversight and accountability for all outputs. OSSE plans to make additional AI professional development for educators available.

LEAs are able to tailor the model policy from OSSE to meet their individual LEA needs and adopt it as they see fit. OSSE will continue to review and update the model policy as evidence and technology evolve.

The model policy and related resources are part of OSSE's ongoing Education and Digital Technology initiative, which curates supports for District stakeholders navigating emerging technologies. OSSE previously released a Model School Personal Device Policy to help guide LEAs as they develop legally compliant personal device policies for their school communities.

OSSE is a member of the Capital AI Education Collective, a citywide initiative bringing together government, nonprofits, educators, business partners, and policymakers to shape a unified approach to AI readiness in local education. Responsible AI use is also a cross-cutting initiative within OSSE's 2026-2030 strategic planBuilding Momentum for Every Student's Future: Preparing DC Students for Tomorrow's Opportunities.

The AI Model Policy for Staff Use is available on OSSE's Education and Digital Technology page, where future updates will be posted. In addition, OSSE is adding two new AI professional development opportunities to OSSE's Learning Management System platform for DC educators to support them in using AI responsibly in their instructional planning. The courses, AI Literacy for Educators, and, Instructional Decision-Making and AI Dilemmas, will be available to educators in the coming weeks.