The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released AI Guidance for Local Education Agencies (Version 1.0) for the 2025-26 school year, providing comprehensive guidance for LEAs in developing and implementing AI policies in K-12 education. The document was developed collaboratively by Missouri’s Computer Science Advisory Council, comprising specialists in both education and computer science.
The guidance emphasizes core principles of data privacy, academic integrity, and AI literacy, with practical direction grounded in detailed prompt engineering guidance using the “Five S” model. The framework promotes a cyclical seven-step policy development process, ensuring that schools can integrate AI responsibly while maintaining educator oversight and educational effectiveness.
The Missouri School Boards’ Association and Missouri Consultants for Education have also released model policies and toolkits for responsible AI use, creating multiple resources for district implementation.
Scoring note: Dimension 1 (curriculum exists) scores 1 for the voluntary state-level guidance. The guidance is freely available and developed by the state education department, establishing frameworks for implementation without legal mandate.