Your Teachers Are Already Using AI. We Built the Playbook for What Comes Next.
California released its AI guidance for schools in January 2026. The model policy arrives in July. Here is everything you need to walk into your next board meeting ready.
30-minute call. No commitment. We walk through what applies to your district.
As Seen With
In Association With
What Just Happened in Sacramento
Three pieces of legislation and one set of guidance are reshaping how California districts think about AI. Here is what you need to know.
AI Literacy Law
Directs the state to incorporate AI literacy into math, science, and history curriculum frameworks. The curriculum changes are years away, but the signal is clear: AI literacy is coming to every classroom.
Read the billAI Working Group
Created a 47-member working group to develop statewide AI guidance and a model policy for districts. The guidance was released January 2026. The model policy is due July 2026.
CDE Working Group pageSafe & Effective Use of AI
A thorough and well-structured resource from CDE covering AI literacy, academic integrity, data privacy, professional development, equity, and tool vetting. We recommend every district leader read it.
Read the CDE guidanceChatbot Safeguards for Minors
Requires AI chatbot operators to disclose AI interactions, provide break reminders, and prevent harmful content for minors. If your district uses any AI chatbot tools, vendor compliance matters now.
Read the billAdditional Resources We Recommend
We link to these because they are genuinely useful. Edapt builds on top of these resources, not in place of them.
Key Dates
Jan 9, 2026Done
CDE AI Guidance released
Jan 1, 2026Done
SB 243 chatbot safeguards effective
Feb 23, 2026Now
Final AI Working Group meeting
July 1, 2026
Model AI policy for districts expected
Jan 1, 2027
Final report to California Legislature
"Why Not Just Wait for the State Model Policy?"
It is a fair question. The model policy arrives in July, and it will be a strong foundation. Here is how we think about the timing.
The model policy will be an excellent starting point. Your district still needs to make it local.
The state is doing important work to give districts a strong foundation. When it arrives, it will outline what good AI governance looks like. Every district will still need to layer in their own student voice data, staff readiness levels, and community priorities. That localization work takes time. Starting now means you are ready to build on the model policy the day it drops.
AI is already in your buildings.
Teachers are using ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot right now. Student data may be flowing into open systems. FERPA, COPPA, and SOPIPA are already enforceable. Getting governance in place now addresses something that is already happening, not something on the horizon.
Board conversations are happening now, not in July.
The CDE guidance is already public. Board members are reading it. Many districts are finding that having student data and a clear plan in hand changes the shape of that conversation entirely.
Districts that start now will be ready to build on the model policy immediately.
When July arrives, districts that already have student data, trained staff, and governance structures will be positioned to adopt and strengthen the model policy on day one.
The model policy will give every district a strong framework. The districts that will be furthest ahead are the ones that already have local data, trained staff, and board buy-in when it arrives.
Let's Talk About TimingSix Things California Districts Are Working on Right Now
Nothing is legally mandated yet. But the CDE guidance outlines clear expectations, and many districts are already moving. Here is what we are seeing.
Adopt an AI Board Policy
CSBA has done excellent work here. Their Board Policy 0441 and AI Taskforce resources give districts a strong governance foundation. We recommend starting with those materials. Where Edapt adds value is layering in your community's actual data so the policy reflects your students, your staff, and your context.
How Edapt helps: The Sprint builds on frameworks like CSBA's BP 0441 by adding district-specific student voice data and staff readiness findings, so your policy is grounded in your community.
Conduct an AI Landscape Assessment
What AI tools are already being used across your schools? In our experience, the answer is usually broader than leadership expects. Teachers are using ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot daily, often informally.
How Edapt helps: The Blueprint's Technology & AI Audit maps every tool, license, AI capability, and usage pattern across your organization.
Establish Data Privacy Guardrails
FERPA, COPPA, SOPIPA, and Ed Code Section 49073.1 are already enforceable law. If student data is flowing into open AI systems, that is a real concern worth addressing sooner rather than later.
How Edapt helps: The Living AI Policy System includes data privacy protocols and the AI Acceptable Use Drafts address responsible data handling.
Begin Professional Development
The CDE guidance calls for tiered PD: basic awareness, intermediate application, and advanced integration. Teachers need training that builds confidence over months, not a one-off keynote.
How Edapt helps: The Blueprint delivers an AI Foundations Workshop, a Prompt Vault, Champion Development, and Train-the-Trainer to scale the work internally.
Address Academic Integrity
The CDE guidance explicitly recommends moving beyond blanket bans. Districts need transparent policies defining acceptable versus unacceptable AI use, developed with student input.
How Edapt helps: Student Voice Surveys across 5 grade bands bring your students into the conversation. Acceptable Use Drafts are then shaped by what your community actually thinks and needs.
Vet AI Tools for Compliance
SB 243 is now in effect. Any AI chatbot tool used with students must comply. The CDE guidance includes a procurement vetting framework covering instructional alignment, transparency, privacy, and equity.
How Edapt helps: The AI Advisory & Intelligence Line monitors tools, regulations, and compliance developments so your leadership team stays informed.
Every CDE Expectation Maps to a Deliverable
We built the playbook for exactly this moment. Each expectation from the CDE guidance maps directly to a named deliverable in your engagement.
CDE Expectation
Board-ready AI governance policy
Living AI Policy System
6 weeks (Sprint)
CDE Expectation
Student voice in AI decision-making
Student Voice Surveys (5 grade bands)
6 weeks (Sprint)
CDE Expectation
Acceptable use policies for staff and students
Student & Staff AI Acceptable Use Drafts
6 weeks (Sprint)
CDE Expectation
Data-backed board presentation
Board-Ready Briefing
6 weeks (Sprint)
CDE Expectation
Technology and AI landscape assessment
Technology & AI Audit + IT Infrastructure Snapshot
Months 1-2 (Blueprint)
CDE Expectation
Tiered professional development
AI Foundations Workshop + Champion Development + Train-the-Trainer
Months 3-6 (Blueprint)
CDE Expectation
Ongoing measurement and board reporting
4 Core Scores Dashboard + Board-Ready ROI Brief
Months 5-10 (Blueprint)
CDE Expectation
Policy updates as regulations change
Living AI Policy System + AI Advisory Line
Ongoing (Continuity)
The Real Challenge Isn't the Legislation
AI is already in your buildings. The question is governance.
Staff are using AI tools every day. Some brilliantly, some without realizing the data implications. The CDE guidance outlines what structured professional development, acceptable use policies, and data privacy guardrails should look like. Getting there takes a partner, not just a document.
Board conversations about AI are already happening.
Seventy percent of school systems don't have an AI policy yet. When the conversation comes up at your next board meeting, having student data and a clear governance plan changes everything.
Good frameworks exist. The hard part is making them yours.
CSBA, CDE, and others have published strong resources. That is genuinely helpful. The next step is the one most districts need help with: gathering your community's input, understanding your staff's readiness, and building something your board can act on.
The AI Policy & Student Voice Sprint
In 6 weeks, your board has an AI governance policy, acceptable use drafts, student voice data, and a presentation deck. Everything built from your community's real input, not a template.
Our Commitment: Every deliverable is board-ready within 8 weeks, or we keep working until it is.
Sprint investment rolls naturally into the Blueprint. No work is repeated.
$10,000
One-time engagement
6-8 weeks
5 deliverables
The Edaptive Blueprint
The Blueprint is for districts that want more than a policy. It is a 10-month partnership that builds real capacity: audits, training, governance, internal champions, and a live measurement system that proves impact to your board every 10 working days.
Our Commitment: If your 4 Core Scores don't improve from baseline after 90 days, we continue at no additional cost until they do.
$40,000
Billed monthly over ~10 months
$50,000 for organizations with 15,000+ students
Fund This With Money You Already Have
California districts regularly fund Edapt engagements through existing federal allocations. This is not a new budget request.
Title II-A
Supporting Effective Instruction
- AI Foundations Workshop
- Champion Development & Train-the-Trainer
- Strategic planning and coaching
Title IV-A
Student Support & Academic Enrichment
- Technology & AI Audit
- AI readiness assessments
- Digital literacy and AI governance planning
Your business office already manages these allocations. We help you identify which line items fit.
The Model Policy Arrives in July. Let's Get Your District Ready.
Start with the Sprint. 6 weeks. 5 deliverables. Board-ready. Fundable through Title II. And if you go further, everything carries into the Blueprint.
Book a 30-Minute WalkthroughNo pitch deck. No pressure. We help you figure out what fits your district and your budget.