AI has the potential to support educator efficiency, enhance instruction and help systems serve students, teachers and staff in new ways. Many educators are eager to adopt new AI-driven tools and approaches; however, thoughtful and coherent integration is essential to ensure that AI enhances—rather than disrupts or detracts from—effective teaching and learning and system-level efforts. Coherence—an approach and mindset that consciously addresses fragmentation to create a better learning experience for all students—is a crucial part of successful education initiatives and a key lever for meaningful AI integration.
The AI x Coherence Framework builds on key learnings that Education First has identified through our work supporting clients with coherent AI exploration, integration and enhancements:
Frame the Problem: Clearly define the challenge that AI is meant to address. Implementing AI without this clarity can lead to misaligned solutions. Early stakeholder engagement and a focus on genuine needs improves the chances of meaningful impact.
Explore Solutions: Identify AI solutions that enhance, rather than disrupt, coherence. AI has the potential to strengthen instructional approaches and system-wide efforts, but if not carefully implemented, risks fragmenting learning experiences.
Learn Forward: Embrace a learning mindset to experiment, adapt and grow from both successes and mistakes in AI exploration and integration as new AI insights emerge. Regularly assess risks and biases of emerging AI technologies to ensure equitable and effective outcomes.
The framework below illustrates an approach that can be taken to ensure AI integration is both cohesive and impactful.
AI x Coherence Academy
Education First is proud to host the AI x Coherence Academy, a program for districts, CMOs and state education agencies to explore integrating AI into teaching, learning and system-level efforts to solve real-world challenges. The AI x Coherence Academy addresses the challenges and opportunities of generative AI by equipping education leaders and their cross-functional teams with the knowledge, frameworks and support needed to make informed, strategic decisions about AI adoption and implementation
One thing I’m taking away is that… AI is part of a range of tools to use to solve a problem, not the entire solution.
— AI x Coherence Academy participant
We finally had a chance to collaborate across teams and learned so much from each other’s viewpoints.
— AI x Coherence Academy participant
This convening was revolutionary and transformational. We have a new perspective on AI.
— AI x Coherence Academy participant
Watch: How Districts Are Putting AI x Coherence into Action
Hear from Boston Public Schools (MA) and Wichita Public Schools on aligning AI innovation with instructional priorities.
Benefits of the AI x Coherence Academy
By participating in the AIxCoherence Academy, districts work toward:
Identifying and evaluating a problem that AI could solve via virtual learning opportunities, including expert-led webinars, personalized cohort-based PLCs to engage in real-time learning, skill development and workshopping, and 1:1 coaching in Build & Lead tiers
Strengthening capacity to plan, execute and bring greater coherence to AI-related initiatives in alignment with their broader educational goals
Gaining hands-on experience applying Education First’s AI x Coherence Framework
Engaging in evidence-based dialogue with peers and experts on the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI into a district’s/CMO’s work
Accessing a repository of policies, practices and principles to center student, teacher, parent and community voices and bring coherence to AI exploration and adoption
Past AI x Coherence Academy participants include:
Boston Public Schools (Boston, MA)
Crown Point Community School Corporation (Crown Point, IN)
DSST Public Schools (Denver, CO)
Duval County Public Schools (Jacksonville, FL)
Hamilton County Public Schools (Chattanooga, TN)
Hawaii Department of Education (Honolulu, HI)
Newburgh Enlarged City School District (Newburgh, NY)
for updates