Michigan issues AI guidance for schools

The Michigan Department of Education on May 12 released statewide guidance for school districts using artificial intelligence in classrooms, giving local leaders a framework for privacy, safety and staff oversight as AI tools spread through K-12 schools. State officials said the materials are meant to help districts decide how to use AI for teaching, operations and professional learning without handing core decisions to software. The guidance is not a statewide mandate, but it gives districts a state-backed template for policies, procurement and classroom practice. Michigan officials presented the materials at a State Board of Education meeting the same day, according to the department. ### What exactly did Michigan put out? The department’s AI webpage lists several resources, including an “AI Starter Guide for Districts,” a more detailed district guide, instructional guidance for educators and a Michigan K-12 AI learning alignment framework for computer science. The starter guide says it is designed for districts with limited capacity and focuses on “essential practices” for safe, equitable and effective use. The May 12 department release said the guidance asks districts to keep AI “purposeful and safe,” protect privacy and integrity, build AI literacy, maintain human oversight, promote equity and accessibility, and support transparency and continuous improvement. Deputy Superintendent Delsa Chapman said the guide gives districts “structured administrative guidelines” and practical examples and templates for setting guardrails around AI use in teaching and learning. (michigan.gov) ### Which rules are districts being told to focus on first? The starter guide says districts should follow privacy laws including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, and it tells educators not to share student data or personally identifiable information with AI tools. The instructional guidance for educators separately says staff should check whether district-approved AI tools are available before using them in class. (michigan.gov) The same starter guide tells districts to create disclosure norms for AI use, add prohibited-use lists, update acceptable-use policies and academic-integrity rules, and add AI clauses to vendor procurement templates. It also says AI can assist, but not replace, educators or decision-makers, and recommends reviewing tools for bias, accuracy and appropriateness before adoption. (michigan.gov) ### How much freedom do local districts still have? Michigan’s materials leave final policy choices with local school systems. The department says it “encourages each district to start or continue conversations” about use or implementation of AI tools, rather than ordering a single statewide policy. A related sample guidance document published through Michigan Virtual says future AI usage policies will be handled at the local board level with administrators and community stakeholders, and should be reviewed with independent legal counsel before implementation. (michigan.gov) That document was endorsed by the AI Statewide Workgroup, a coalition that Michigan Virtual said in 2024 included 13 organizations such as the Michigan Education Association, the Michigan Association of School Boards and the Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators. (michigan.gov) ### Why is Michigan leaning on Michigan Virtual? A 2024 Michigan education memo says the department is endorsing Michigan Virtual resources as its AI guidance for districts after what it described as two years of work by the nonprofit on AI in schools. The memo points districts to Michigan Virtual’s planning guide and related tools as part of the state’s resource set. (michiganvirtual.org) Michigan Virtual’s planning materials frame AI adoption as a district-level governance issue as much as a classroom tool choice, covering leadership, policy, legal review, data protection and equity. Its AI Lab says it offers policy support, workshops and implementation consulting for K-12 schools across Michigan. ### What does this change for teachers right now? State Superintendent Glenn Maleyko said in the department’s release that he uses AI himself, but that educators and students need to understand how to use it appropriately. (michigan.gov) The instructional guidance says teachers can use AI for lesson plans, presentations, images and idea generation, and lists tools such as Magic School, Adobe Firefly, Canva and QuestionWell as examples. (michiganvirtual.org) The practical shift for districts is administrative as well as instructional. The starter guide recommends at least one professional-learning session on AI basics, ethical use and prompting, along with semester reviews of AI data usage and inclusion of AI readiness goals in district improvement planning. (michigan.gov) ### What comes next from the state? The department’s AI webpage says the Regional Educational Media Center Association of Michigan will host an AI and media literacy professional learning experience for Michigan educational leaders in summer 2026. The same page lists the state’s guidance documents and a contact address for district questions and support. (michigan.gov 1) (michigan.gov 2)