Visual story 01 · Counts
15 of 24 reviewed documents provide guidance
Other records include enacted laws, district policies, a federal regulation, a future law, a proposal and a failed bill.
Read & shareFRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2026
Beyond the headline
FORMATIVESPACES.COM
AI in Schools / The Visual Edition
School AI rules
vary by place.
Compare student AI use, family notice and legal deadlines in 16 charts. Each chart links to the official sources.
Issue 01 · October 6, 2026
24 policy documents · 72 reviewed provisions
Open the research file →
On the cover / New York City
NYC limits student generative AI use by grade
The 2026–27 directive restricts student-facing generative AI in grades 2K–8. The directive limits high school use to approved, vetted programs.
Read the grade rules and exceptions →
Chapter 01
Policy status and research coverage
The file contains laws, guidance and proposals. Research coverage is partial.
Visual story 02 · Counts
15 state jurisdictions have partial research coverage
The other 36 remain unassessed. These categories describe research progress in the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Read & share
Visual story 03 · Counts
11 current documents address local AI policy development
Local policy development appears in 11 current documents, student data in 9, and tool approval in 7.
Read & shareChapter 02
Student AI use and instruction
Compare rules for student use and duties to teach AI literacy.
Visual story 04 · Policy comparison
NYC limits student generative AI use by grade
The 2026–27 directive restricts student-facing generative AI in grades 2K–8. The directive limits high school use to approved, vetted programs.
Read & share
Visual story 05 · Counts
NYC requires 90 minutes of high school AI literacy
High school students must complete two 45-minute modules under the 2026–27 directive.
Read & share
Visual story 06 · Policy comparison
NYC requires AI lessons. Chicago assigns curriculum work.
NYC requires student modules. Chicago assigns district curriculum work, California requires commission review, and North Dakota recommends teacher training.
Read & share
Visual story 07 · Policy comparison
Classroom AI guidance covers disclosure, instructions and supervision
California’s optional model calls for disclosure. West Virginia guides teacher instructions. Louisiana’s AI-Empowered tier recommends human supervision, citations and accuracy checks.
Read & shareChapter 03
AI decisions and family notice
Compare limits on AI decisions, family notice and tool approval.
Visual story 08 · Policy comparison
NYC, Oklahoma and DC set different limits on AI decisions
NYC prohibits AI in student decisions. Oklahoma bars AI as the primary basis for high-stakes decisions. DC offers an optional staff model.
Read & share
Visual story 09 · Policy comparison
AI policies differ on family notice, permission and opt-outs
NYC says schools will notify families. Chicago requires policy sharing. Oklahoma specifies annual disclosures and written opt-outs. Fairfax recommends permission for described optional use.
Read & share
Visual story 10 · Policy comparison
NYC, Chicago, Fairfax and DC describe AI tool approval checks
NYC reviews student pilots. Chicago requires approved tools, Fairfax directs staff to its approval library, and DC offers an optional staff model.
Read & shareChapter 04
Laws, proposals and deadlines
Check each law’s status, scope and deadlines.
Visual story 11 · Dates
COPPA amendments have separate effective and compliance dates
The amendments took effect June 23, 2025. General compliance began April 22, 2026, with specified safe-harbor exceptions.
Read & share
Visual story 12 · Policy comparison
California limits covered operators’ AI training from January 2027
AB 1159’s K–12 provisions take effect January 1, 2027. Operator definitions and statutory exceptions determine when the restrictions apply.
Read & share
Visual story 13 · Policy comparison
California has separate school guidance, literacy duties and operator restrictions
An optional model guides local policy. AB 2876 assigns commission review. AB 1159 limits covered operators’ AI training from January 1, 2027.
Read & share
Visual story 14 · Policy comparison
Florida records show an AI rule proposal and a failed bill
The reviewed notices do not establish final adoption of the AI amendment. SB 1194 died in committee on March 13, 2026.
Read & share
Visual story 15 · Policy comparison
Illinois requires AI guidance and allows an advisory council
The State Board must develop guidance. The Superintendent may convene a statewide advisory council.
Read & share
Visual story 16 · Dates
Oklahoma requires local AI policies before the 2027–28 school year
The governor approved SB 1734 on May 12, 2026. Districts can choose whether to use AI. This release withholds an exact effective date.
Read & share