Establish an AI Competency Framework for Educators

As your district advances from Emerging to Established in AI governance, developing a structured AI Competency Framework for Educators is a crucial step. This framework will guide the development of AI literacy and skills among your teaching staff, ensuring they can effectively and responsibly integrate AI in educational contexts.

Purpose and Importance

An AI Competency Framework for Educators provides a structured approach to defining, assessing, and developing AI-related skills among teaching staff. It ensures consistent standards across the district, guides professional development efforts, and supports the responsible integration of AI in education. This framework is essential for building capacity to leverage AI effectively in teaching and learning.

Developing Your AI Competency Framework

Form an AI Competency Governance Committee

Establish a committee that includes:

• District leadership
• Professional development coordinators
• Teacher representatives from various subjects and grade levels
• IT leadership
• AI subject matter experts (if available)

This committee will oversee the development, implementation, and ongoing management of the AI Competency Framework policies and procedures.

Define AI Competency Policy

Develop a policy that outlines:

• The purpose and scope of the AI Competency Framework
• Roles and responsibilities for managing the framework
• Processes for defining and updating AI competency levels and standards
• Alignment with existing professional standards and district policies
• Frequency and method of framework review and updates

Establish Assessment and Certification Policy

Create a policy that addresses:

• Standards for assessing educator AI competencies
• Certification processes and requirements
• Recognition of prior learning or external certifications
• Procedures for ensuring fair and consistent assessment across the district
• Data management and privacy considerations for competency records

Develop an AI Professional Development Policy

Create a policy that addresses:

• Requirements for AI-related professional development, including ethics training
• Approval processes for AI training programs and resources
• Allocation of resources for AI-related professional development
• Integration of AI competencies into performance evaluation processes
• Reporting and tracking of AI-related professional development activities

Create a Monitoring and Evaluation Policy

Establish a policy for:

• Regular audits of the framework's effectiveness
• Key performance indicators for educator AI competency development
• Procedures for annual review and update of the framework and associated policies
• Reporting requirements on the status of AI competencies across the district
• Processes for gathering and incorporating stakeholder feedback

Implementation and Communication

Approval Process

Once your AI Competency Framework governance is developed, present the framework and associated policies to the school board for approval. Ensure alignment with district-wide strategic plans and existing professional development policies.

Communication Plan

Develop a strategy to inform all educators about the new AI Competency Framework:

• Create clear guidelines on how to engage with the framework and associated programs
• Establish channels for ongoing feedback and questions

Monitoring and Evaluation

Implement regular audits of the framework's effectiveness:

• Establish key performance indicators for educator AI competency development
• Create procedures for annual review and update of the framework and associated policies

Navigating Challenges

Be prepared for potential policy-related hurdles such as:

• Ensuring consistency in policy interpretation and application across the district
• Balancing standardization of AI competencies with the need for subject-specific adaptations
• Addressing potential resistance to mandatory AI competency requirements
• Keeping policies relevant amidst rapidly evolving AI technologies in education

Address these challenges through clear policy language, stakeholder engagement in policy development, and regular policy reviews.

Measuring Progress

Track the effectiveness of your AI Competency Framework governance through:

• Compliance with AI competency policies and procedures
• Effectiveness of the governance committee in managing the framework
• Timeliness and quality of framework reviews and updates
• Alignment of AI competency development with district strategic goals
• Stakeholder feedback on the clarity and effectiveness of the framework policies

Next Steps

With governance for an AI Competency Framework for Educators in place, your district will be better positioned to:

• Develop and maintain consistent standards for AI literacy among educators
• Ensure alignment between AI competencies and district educational goals
• Adapt policies and standards as AI technologies and educational needs evolve
• Make informed decisions about AI-related professional development investments

Regularly review and update your policies and procedures to ensure continued relevance and effectiveness in guiding AI competency development among educators.