What’s in Your District's AI Backpack? Essential Resources for the 2025-26 School Year

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to launch your AI district plan, it’s here. K-12 education faces a pivotal crossroads as artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes the industry. Education leaders have a responsibility to develop intentional AI guidance and adopt secure tools aligned with district priorities. 

For school and district leaders, the summer months are more than a time for reflection and recovery—they’re the launchpad for innovation. With the 2025-26 school year on the horizon, now is the time to assess your district’s approach to AI in education and lay the groundwork for safe, meaningful implementation. 

That’s why we’re sharing a curated library of resources to help your team build an actionable AI roadmap for schools—all the way through implementation and professional development. Bookmark this post as your go-to reference throughout the year as you explore how AI can transform your district.

Build the Foundation: AI Strategy, Safety, and Planning

Before diving into tools or classroom applications, start by grounding your district’s AI journey in strategic clarity, student privacy, and educator readiness.

Start with Safety, Privacy, and Compliance 

Thoughtful planning is critical for AI implementation to ensure alignment with your district’s values. Some key priorities include FERPA compliance and data governance, bias and fairness in AI systems, and access to AI tools for all students.

• Blog: Addressing AI Security Concerns in Education
• Download: AI Buyer’s Guide for K-12 Leaders

What Makes a Good AI Roadmap?

As you build out your roadmap, make sure it includes clear principles and guardrails, focuses on use cases that support instructional goals, and makes space for ongoing professional learning. It should also bring together voices from across the district—from IT to instructional leaders—to ensure alignment and long-term success.

• Infographic: How AI Ready is Your District?
• Download: AI Roadmap for District Leaders

Assess Readiness Across Your Team

Successful AI adoption depends on shared understanding. Before launching new tools or programs, districts should uncover current beliefs, knowledge gaps, and levels of comfort across your team. Consider launching a survey to assess AI perceptions and readiness.

• Blog: 12 Questions Every District Should Ask About AI Readiness
• Survey: AI Perceptions and Readiness Survey

Bring AI into the Classroom: Tools that Support Teachers and Students

With the right tools, AI can be a powerful support for teachers—not a replacement. Creative teachers will find no limit to the ways AI can enhance their teaching.

Lesson Planning, Feedback, and Differentiation

Generative AI can help teachers streamline lesson planning, personalize content, and give more timely feedback to students.

• Blog: How to Use AI for Lesson Planning
• Download: 100+ AI Prompts for Schools and Districts

Innovative Uses of AI in Teaching

As more and more teachers begin using AI tools in the classroom, they’re building a culture of innovation where educators can learn about the possibilities of this new tech from each other.

• Blog: 8 AI Use Cases for Teachers
• Success Story: How AI Helped Chagrin Falls Educators Reclaim 350+ Hours in 2023-24

Train Your People: AI Professional Development and Adoption

Investing in AI professional development for K-12 educators won’t just teach a new tool—it will help prepare educators for the future of learning and teaching.

AI Literacy and Professional Learning

To use AI safely and effectively, educators need a foundational understanding of how AI works, what it can and cannot do, and where ethical boundaries lie. That’s where AI literacy comes in.

• Blog: AI Literacy for Educators 
• Blog: Misconceptions about AI in Education

Summer Readiness

The summer window offers a golden opportunity for district leaders to build AI readiness without the pressure of daily classroom demands.

• Blog: 10 Ways District Leaders Can Build AI Readiness Before Back to School

Make an AI Impact with Panorama Solara

Remember, you’re not alone in this AI journey. Follow in the footsteps of other leaders across the country with these AI success stories featuring Panorama Solara.

• Case Study: How Laguna Beach Drives Dynamic Student Support with Panorama Solara
• Case Study: How Boston Public Schools Enhances MTSS with Panorama Solara

Designed specifically for K-12 education, Solara empowers districts to integrate AI safely, responsibly, and effectively into their classrooms. With secure data practices, educator-centered tools, and built-in professional development support, Solara helps schools harness the power of AI while staying aligned with their core mission: advancing student success.

Your 2025-26 AI Roadmap Starts Now

The future of AI in the classroom will be shaped by districts who plan proactively, invest in people, and lead with intention. Whether you're just beginning your journey or refining your strategy, these resources can help you chart a sustainable, scalable path forward.

Download Panorama's AI Roadmap