The Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (RIDE) released comprehensive guidance in 2026 to support local education agencies in navigating and implementing policies and practices for responsible, effective, and equitable use of artificial intelligence in K-12 classrooms. The guidance framework covers instructional applications, academic integrity, equity and bias considerations, security and privacy protections, supporting diverse learner needs, college and career readiness integration, administrative operations, and family engagement.
RIDE’s AI Guidance Series was designed as a professional learning experience to help Rhode Island educators and school leaders understand, govern, and thoughtfully integrate AI across teaching, learning, and operations. However, this guidance is voluntary and non-binding, providing structure for ongoing conversations about AI use rather than establishing formal policy requirements or curriculum mandates.
A 2026 survey indicates 20% of Rhode Island K-12 students are already using AI tools like ChatGPT and Grammarly, while only 6% of educators report regular AI use, suggesting an implementation gap between student exposure and teacher preparation.
Scoring note: Dimension 13 (free/public resources) scores 1 for state-provided guidance framework. Dimension 1 (curriculum exists) scores 1 for voluntary guidance, though not binding. No dimension scores 2 as guidance is non-binding and teacher training is not formally mandated.