Outlines how school systems can move from reactive adoption to strategic leadership

March 25, 2026 — States and districts nationwide are being asked to make high-stakes decisions about artificial intelligence in real time, often without clear structures for how those decisions should be made, evaluated, or revisited. 

Today, ILO Group released, “Adaptive Governance for AI in K-12: Organizing for a Competency, Not a Tool”, a new report that explores how leaders can move forward with AI while maintaining trust, protecting students, improving teaching and learning, strengthening operations, and making sound decisions in an environment where the technology and its risks are constantly evolving.

“AI is already being used in classrooms and central offices, whether or not systems have formal strategies in place,” said Dr. Julia Rafal-Baer, CEO of ILO Group. “The real challenge is whether leaders will build the capacity to evaluate impact on teaching and learning, improve operations, govern risks responsibly, and make decisions based on evidence instead of hype. This report offers a practical framework to help leaders act with clarity, discipline, and a vision that is stronger than any vendor pitch.” 

AI is advancing quickly, but the structures to govern it are not yet fully in place. The report argues that treating AI as a traditional technology purchase is a fundamental mistake. Instead, AI should be understood as a core organizational competency that cuts across instruction, operations, and policy, and requires continuous development rather than one-time implementation.

To support leaders in this shift, the report introduces a practical framework for Adaptive Governance, an approach designed to help systems make decisions in real time, test and refine use cases, and adjust as both the technology and its impact evolve. The framework emphasizes clear decision-making structures, collaboration across the organization, and rapid learning cycles that allow systems to move forward responsibly without stalling innovation

Key insights include:

• Why traditional “procure and protect” technology models are insufficient for AI
• Three models for organizing AI leadership: Dedicated, Integrated, and Distributed
• A framework for assessing system readiness based on technical complexity, budget, and staff capacity
• Strategies to overcome decision paralysis across legal, IT, and instructional teams
• The importance of defining a clear learning agenda and measuring impact before scaling AI initiatives
  

The report also features a case study from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina, highlighting how large systems can build governance infrastructure, engage stakeholders, and pilot AI responsibly before scaling.

To coincide with today’s release, ILO Group will host a live panel discussion on Monday, March 30, at 3 p.m. ET featuring state and district chiefs leading the responsible governance and implementation of AI in K-12. Moderated by ILO Group’s Dr. Julia Rafal-Baer, panelists will include Delaware Secretary of Education Cindy Marten, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill, and Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Aleesia Johnson. Click here to register. 

In addition to producing actionable research for education leaders including AI frameworks for state education agencies (SEAs) as well as district leaders, ILO Group supports states and districts through its AI-focused intiative AiLO.  ILO’s AI Strategy & Leadership Network convenes system leaders to build governance capacity and share real-time learning. Across 2 cohorts, more than 140 leaders from 11 state agencies and more than 34 school districts, representing 12.5 million students or 1 in 4 public school pupils. Cohorts 3 and 4 are now enrolling. 

Download the full report and learn more about ILO’s expert-backed supports for school systems at www.ILOGroup.com