6 Policy Recommendations for Incorporating AI in the Classroom

• By Rhea Kelly
• 02/24/25

The Southern Regional Education Board's Commission on AI in Education has published six recommendations for states on adopting artificial intelligence in schools, colleges, and universities. The guidance marks the commission's first release since it was established last February, with more recommendations planned in the coming year.

The commission brings together 60-plus policy-makers and education and business leaders in SREB's 16-state region (Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia) to help share strategies, best practices, and research. Its recommendations are:

1) Establish state AI networks, enabling people, groups, and agencies to connect, communicate, collaborate and coordinate AI efforts across each state. As an example, the commission cites the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network, a partnership among Mississippi community colleges, public and private colleges and universities, K-12 education, businesses, and industry associations, established to address the rapid emergence of AI and its transformative impact on Mississippi’s workforce.

2) Develop targeted AI guidance for groups using, integrating, or supporting the use of AI in education, including students, educators, administrators, and parents at all grade levels. The commission emphasized that states must move quickly: "People need clear direction now."

3) Provide high-quality professional development. "States should encourage robust training programs that help both new and veteran K-12 and postsecondary faculty understand how to use AI tools in their teaching," the commission said, "In addition, ongoing professional development will help prepare educators to deal with the ethical implications of AI use in the classroom." 

4) Integrate into standards and curricula. Statewide K-12 standards and curricula should include the AI knowledge and skills students need to prepare them for success in the workforce, the commission said. "Additionally, curricula should focus on developing critical thinking skills and adaptability, enabling students to understand and work alongside AI technologies effectively."

5) Assess local capacity and needs. By conducting an AI needs assessment, states can evaluate the capacity of local districts, schools and postsecondary institutions to integrate AI successfully, as well as determine which institutions need state support.

6) Develop resource allocation plans. The commission "strongly recommends" that states develop resource allocation plans for AI implementation in schools, school districts and institutions of postsecondary education, to ensure implementations are "successful, sustainable, and available to all students." These plans can help predict and mitigate cost overruns, identify opportunities to optimize spending, better prioritize funding for critical areas, forecast how costs may change over time, and more.

In a statement, SREB President Stephen L. Pruitt noted that the commission aims to produce AI recommendations and guidance that will be applicable to education decision-makers across the United States. "AI is fundamentally changing the classroom and workplace," he said. "With that in mind, this commission is working to ensure they make recommendations that are strategic, practical and thoughtful."

For more information and a deeper dive into each recommendation, visit the SREB site.