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Department plans AI policy work and says it has ideas for targeted school improvement
Summary
The Department of Education and Workforce said it will develop AI policies and toolkits and described evidence‑based interventions used in other states for low‑performing schools.
The executive budget includes language directing the department to develop policies on artificial intelligence by July 2026 and Director Steve Dakin told the Senate Education Committee the department is already piloting AI tools for internal efficiency and exploring classroom uses.
Dakin said the agency recently rolled out Microsoft Copilot for staff and is studying how AI can free human capital from routine tasks, particularly on federal programs. He cited local pilots (Tipp City) that used TechCred to upskill teachers on classroom AI use and said the department will create toolkits and ask districts to adopt AI policies.
On school improvement, Dakin said the department has researched other states, including Louisiana and Alabama, that prescribed specific interventions in lowest‑performing schools — high‑quality instructional materials, math and literacy coaches, strong principal leadership — and said Ohio has federal permission to work assertively with its lowest 5% of schools but has not historically deployed that authority at scale.
Ending: Dakin expressed interest in working with the legislature on amendments to restructure school improvement and offered to provide more detail on potential evidence‑based interventions and how AI might support district operations.
