AI in Schools / District report
Chicago pairs vetted AI tools with teacher permission
Students need age-appropriate tools from the vetted EdTech Catalog and teacher permission. The district calls for investigation of suspected academic misuse.
Published
Research as of · Sources & Notes
Official guidance
Local AI rules
Chicago Public Schools says students may use age-appropriate GenAI tools vetted and approved in its EdTech Catalog with teacher permission, and its guidance calls for investigation of suspected academic misuse rather than automatic assumptions. The Illinois sample's consumer-ChatGPT assessment is neither the Chicago catalog nor a state prohibition. Families and students should request the tool name and assignment instructions; teachers should use the approved route; leaders should keep the catalog accessible. [4][2]
Does district tool approval settle every assignment?
Chicago and Philadelphia set their own AI tool approvals
Chicago combines catalog approval with teacher permission. Philadelphia names approved products and preserves school-level assignment variation.
Chicago and Philadelphia set their own AI tool approvals. Chicago combines catalog approval with teacher permission. Philadelphia names approved products and preserves school-level assignment variation. Chicago. Product approval: Age-appropriate tools vetted in the EdTech Catalog. Assignment scope: Teacher permission still applies. Suspected misuse calls for investigation. Evidence state: district scope. Philadelphia. Product approval: The notice names Google Gemini and Adobe Express with Firefly. Assignment scope: A Masterman handbook describes teacher discretion. Its continuum does not apply automatically to every district classroom. Evidence state: district scope.
| Jurisdiction or item | Product approval | Assignment scope |
|---|---|---|
ChicagoDistrict scopeSource notesSource notes [4] | Age-appropriate tools vetted in the EdTech Catalog. | Teacher permission still applies. Suspected misuse calls for investigation. |
| PhiladelphiaDistrict scope | The notice names Google Gemini and Adobe Express with Firefly. | A Masterman handbook describes teacher discretion. Its continuum does not apply automatically to every district classroom. |
View data and source notes
| Item | Product approval | Assignment scope | Status | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | Age-appropriate tools vetted in the EdTech Catalog. | Teacher permission still applies. Suspected misuse calls for investigation. | district_scope | [4] |
| Philadelphia | The notice names Google Gemini and Adobe Express with Firefly. | A Masterman handbook describes teacher discretion. Its continuum does not apply automatically to every district classroom. | district_scope | [42][41] |
Sources & Notes
This report reflects research as of October 6, 2026. Reference numbers link to the cited publications.
The August tracker counts describe its historical snapshot. The reviewed policy database has a separate scope and release date. Neither is a census of classroom AI use.
- Artificial Intelligence Guidancewww.isbe.net
- AI Guidance for Students | Chicago Public Schoolswww.cps.edu
- 2025-2026 Community Handbook (Version 1.3)masterman.philasd.org
- AI Resources – PSTVwww.philasd.org
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