How To Use FRS Gear-Based Considerations for Effective AI Program Design
This tool is designed to be both reflective and actionable. Whether you’re just starting to explore AI or actively building an implementation plan, use this resource to:
- Examine your district’s readiness for AI integration
- Build your AI Governance Team
- Align AI implementation with your goals for equity, engagement, and excellence
- Explore key considerations across each of the Future Ready gear areas
We’ve included a set of guiding questions for each section. These can be used by leadership teams, advisory councils, or an AI task force to assess:
- Clarity and relevance of the content
- Ethical and privacy-related implications
- Usability in real-world school settings
- Alignment with your district’s strategic priorities
Tips for Building Your Future Ready AI Governance Team
As AI becomes an increasingly important part of how schools operate and educate, it’s essential to establish a dedicated team to guide responsible, equitable, and strategic AI implementation. An AI Governance Team ensures that decisions are made collaboratively, transparently, and with a focus on long-term impact.
Why Your District Needs an AI Governance Team
A cross-functional AI Governance Team is essential in helping your district align its AI initiatives with strategic goals and the Future Ready Framework. This team addresses ethical concerns and student data privacy from the outset while also developing consistent, equity-focused practices and policies. Furthermore, the team evaluates AI tools not just for their effectiveness in instruction and operations, but also for their broader impact on the school community.
Six Steps to Form Your Governance Team
Assemble a diverse group that reflects your district’s community and expertise. Consider including:
- District Leaders (superintendent, CTO, CAO, or CIO)
- Instructional Leaders (curriculum directors, principals, instructional coaches)
- Technology Staff (IT directors, data specialists)
- Classroom Educators across grade levels and content areas
- Students to reflect on their lived experience with tech in the classroom
- Family or Community Members (especially from underserved groups)
- Legal & Policy Advisors (to help navigate privacy and compliance)
Tip: Equity is strengthened when teams reflect the diversity of your district. Invite voices that are often underrepresented in tech decision-making
Clearly outline what your governance team will do. Common responsibilities include:
- Facilitating communication across departments and with the community
- Reviewing and selecting AI tools
- Developing district AI policies, protocols, and guidelines
- Evaluating the impact of AI on learning and operations
- Ensuring compliance with FERPA, COPPA, and ethical data use
Decide how often your team will meet (e.g., monthly, quarterly) and establish norms for:
- Decision-making (consensus, voting, recommendations)
- Documentation and transparency
- Stakeholder updates and communication
- In-person or virtual meetings
Use the FRS Gears to guide your AI planning:
- How does AI impact Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment?
- What infrastructure is needed?
- How does this support student engagement, equity, and professional learning?
Tip: Use our guiding questions to facilitate your team’s work across each FRS gear.
- Begin with small AI implementation pilots
- Gather feedback from educators, students, and families
- Use data and stakeholder insights to refine policies and practices
- Create a stakeholder communication plan for AI updates (quarterly or project-based)
- Share pilot findings, usage data, and lessons learned in a clear, accessible format
- Celebrate successes and highlight stories of impact to build engagement
Outcomes of a Well-Run AI Governance Team
By collaborating through this process, your district will gain more than just new ideas; you’ll create a shared vision for how AI can enhance learning, promote equity, and foster innovation across your schools. You will establish clear, transparent policies to guide AI usage and protect student data, which will help build trust within your community. Educators and families will feel more confident and better prepared to engage with AI meaningfully. Most importantly, you will lay the groundwork for scalable, sustainable systems that will keep your district ready for the future as technology continues to evolve.
