AI in Schools / District report
Philadelphia names its approved AI tools
The district names Google Gemini and Adobe Express with Firefly as vetted tools. Nonapproved AI tools for district work violate the acceptable-use policy.
Published
Research as of · Sources & Notes
Official district notice
Local AI rules
Philadelphia's district notice identifies Google Gemini and Adobe Express with Firefly as vetted products and says nonapproved AI tools for district work violate the acceptable-use policy. A Masterman school handbook separately describes a teacher-discretion continuum from no AI to AI-supported work, referencing district guidance. Families should not generalize a particular school's assignment continuum to all district classrooms; teachers should state the allowed level of assistance; leaders should maintain a coherent district list and explain school-level variation. [42][41]
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.
- 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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