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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2026
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AI in Schools / The Visual Edition / Story 10

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.

Formative Spaces · Research reviewed October 6, 2026

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. The comparison covers four district or staff documents. The research file does not contain current lists of approved tools. NYC · student pilots. ERMA reviews privacy and security. Document status: District policy. Chicago · students. Students must use CPS-approved AI tools. Document status: District policy. Fairfax · staff. Staff check approval and permitted users in the Digital Ecosystem Library. Document status: Guidance. DC model · staff. The optional model limits described staff uses to approved enterprise tools. Document status: Guidance. This chart cannot certify a product. District rules and optional guidance have different legal force. Check the current local list and permitted users.
This chart cannot certify a product. District rules and optional guidance have different legal force. Check the current local list and permitted users.

Key findings

NYC reviews privacy and security for student pilots through ERMA. Chicago requires CPS-approved tools. Fairfax directs staff to its Digital Ecosystem Library. DC’s optional model limits the described staff uses to approved enterprise tools.

Approval applies to specified users and uses. Student approval does not establish staff approval, or the reverse. This chart does not approve products. Local lists can change.

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Chart data and sources

selected approval checks. The comparison covers four district or staff documents. The research file does not contain current lists of approved tools.

Text and values represented in this visual
Document and usersApproval checkEvidence
NYC · student pilotsDistrict policyERMA reviews privacy and security.New York City Public Schools: Student-facing AI and screen-time policy
Provision references
  • nyc-ai-2026-27-8065ca4c14e4-a7
Chicago · studentsDistrict policyStudents must use CPS-approved AI tools.Chicago Public Schools: Student Acceptable Use
Provision references
  • chicago-student-acceptable-use-0bc94b24b21d-a0
Fairfax · staffGuidanceStaff check approval and permitted users in the Digital Ecosystem Library.Fairfax County Public Schools: AI guidance for faculty and staff
Provision references
  • fairfax-staff-ai-guidance-dcc831708832-a1
DC model · staffGuidanceThe optional model limits described staff uses to approved enterprise tools.District of Columbia: LEA AI model policy for staff use
Provision references
  • dc-staff-ai-model-853fdcf9bcc0-a3

This chart cannot certify a product. District rules and optional guidance have different legal force. Check the current local list and permitted users.

Sources & Notes

  1. Guidance on Artificial Intelligence and Screen Time

    New York City Public Schools · Source checked October 6, 2026

    • Limited AI Pilots
    Reviewed record and version →
  2. Student Acceptable Use | Chicago Public Schools

    Chicago Board of Education · Source checked October 6, 2026

    • V. Student Use — Artificial Intelligence
    Reviewed record and version →
  3. Artificial Intelligence Guidance for FCPS Faculty and Staff | Fairfax County Public Schools

    Fairfax County Public Schools · Source checked October 6, 2026

    • Check AI Tool Approval Before Use
    Reviewed record and version →
  4. LEA AI model policy for staff use — official document

    Office of the State Superintendent of Education · Source checked October 6, 2026

    • PDF page 8 — Requirements for staff use
    Reviewed record and version →
Release and evidence identity

Research release 2026-10-06-875e416b4116. Headlines and comparisons use this reviewed release. A changed record requires a new editorial review.

Source projection SHA-256: 9cd6a4996022129f1a1a1060c399a65f12c8f18bc7774fea67463c4d0dd981eb

  • nyc-ai-2026-27 / q13: 8065ca4c14e4a4c2006240db676bac63657eb202ff7ea09c1c1705a2dacb00f2
  • chicago-student-acceptable-use / q14: 0bc94b24b21ddd1237c6355021901d774f301ae730fa81b69d2ec033789a881d
  • fairfax-staff-ai-guidance / fcps_staff: dcc831708832f1170da72493551cf82097cbc03da01ce86b65a4fd5875a3918f
  • dc-staff-ai-model / dc_staff_model: 853fdcf9bcc04b2ac6cadbd3e4373dfff8dbc33c1a58cfac6a519632504165c6

Public policy data for this release (JSON) · Collection and coverage notes

Citation

Formative Spaces, “NYC, Chicago, Fairfax and DC describe AI tool approval checks,” AI in Schools: The Visual Edition, research release 2026-10-06-875e416b4116, reviewed October 6, 2026. https://www.formativespaces.com/topics/classroom-ai/visuals/approval-comes-before-use