Empowering School Districts to Navigate the Future of Education Technology

 

Washington, D.C. (April 9, 2024) – CoSN today announced the launch of the K-12 Generative AI (Gen AI) Maturity Tool, a comprehensive resource developed in collaboration with the Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS). Supported by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and endorsed by supporting partners — including the School Superintendents Association (AASA), the Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA), the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the National School Boards Association (NSBA), the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) and the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) — the tool aims to revolutionize how school districts across the nation approach the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies.

Designed collaboratively by leading experts in education and technology, the K-12 Gen AI Maturity Tool empowers school districts to evaluate their readiness for integrating AI technologies into instructional and operational frameworks. By leveraging a comprehensive checklist questionnaire and rubric, districts can identify their current maturity level in terms of Gen AI readiness. The tool also offers targeted insights into areas requiring further attention and investment to ensure safe and secure implementation of AI solutions.

“This K-12 Gen AI Maturity Tool, which builds on our previous Readiness Checklist, represents a significant step forward in helping school districts navigate the complexities of integrating AI technologies,” said Keith Krueger, CEO, CoSN. “It provides a strategic roadmap for districts to help school districts agree on their current state of readiness, and then define their desired next level of maturity. We believe this is a powerful tool to help school district leaders.”

The K-12 Gen AI Maturity Tool encompasses six major domains essential for AI integration: Executive Leadership, Operational, Data, Technical, Security and Risk/Legal. Within each domain, sub-domains are defined to guide improvement efforts. Using a three-level maturity rubric (emerging, developing, mature), districts can assess their current state and chart a course toward advancing proficiency in each sub-domain.

“In the ongoing effort to help school districts implement Gen AI technologies, the Council is proud to partner with CoSN to release the K-12 Gen AI Maturity Tool,” said Ray Hart, Executive Director, CGCS. “This tool is a ground-breaking resource and goes even further than the checklist released last year to help school systems navigate the complex issues around AI. We encourage urban district leaders to use this tool to self-evaluate their Gen AI readiness maturity and develop, implement and improve their policies around the use of AI.”

CoSN encourages all school districts to leverage the K-12 Gen AI Maturity Tool to assess their readiness status and leverage the recommendations provided to advance their proficiency across various domains. By embracing this tool, districts can unlock the full potential of AI technologies to enhance learning outcomes and operational efficiency.

For more information about the K-12 Gen AI Maturity Tool, please visit https://www.cosn.org/ai/.

 About CoSN
CoSN, the world-class professional association for K-12 EdTech leaders, stands at the forefront of education innovation. We are driven by a mission to equip current and aspiring K-12 education technology leaders, their teams, and school districts with the community, knowledge, and professional development they need to cultivate engaging learning environments. Our vision is rooted in a future where every learner reaches their unique potential, guided by our community. CoSN represents over 13 million students and continues to grow as a powerful and influential voice in K-12 education. cosn.org

About Council of the Great City Schools
The Council of the Great City Schools is the only national organization exclusively representing the needs of urban public schools. Composed of 78 large city school districts, its mission is to promote the cause of urban schools and to advocate for inner-city students through legislation, research and media relations. The organization also provides a network for school districts sharing common problems to exchange information, and to collectively address new challenges as they emerge to deliver the best possible education for urban youth. www.cgcs.org

MEDIA CONTACTS:
CoSN: Makenzie Carlin, mcarlin@fratelli.com

CGCS: Tonya Harris, tharris@cgcs.org