"With Classworks, it has given our special education teachers confidence. They're able to discuss standards and IP meetings, which has not happened before, and they're able to utilize the reports in a way that they've never been able to utilize them before; to rewrite compliant IEPs and IEP goals."
Sarah Craft
Vidalia City Schools
K-12 AI PURCHASING GUIDE: HOW TO CHOOSE TOOLS THAT ALIGN WITH FEDERAL PRIORITIES AND EMPOWER TEACHERS
This summer, the U.S. Department of Education signaled a major commitment to artificial intelligence in schools. In July 2025, a new policy priority was introduced to steer federal grant funding toward K–12 AI initiatives, but only if they integrate AI responsibly. “Artificial intelligence has the potential to [...] support improved outcomes for learners... It drives personalized learning, sharpens critical thinking, and prepares students with problem-solving skills that are vital for tomorrow’s challenges,” said Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
To qualify for federal grant funding, schools proposing AI projects must focus on key areas that would positively impact student outcomes, including:
- Using AI to personalize learning and support differentiated instruction, improving outcomes for students at all levels
- Integrating AI literacy into teaching practices to improve student outcomes
- Supporting professional development for educators on teaching AI
- Using AI to support services for students with disabilities
- Reducing time-intensive administrative tasks for teachers
- Developing evidence for ways to integrate AI into education
In short, AI tools should save time in the classroom, adapt to individual learner needs, and never compromise ethics, transparency, or student privacy. Districts should view AI not as a shiny new gadget, but as a carefully managed force multiplier for teaching and learning.
What to Look for in AI Tools: A K-12 Purchasing Guide
Even with high-level principles in mind, school leaders face a practical question: How do we pick the right AI tools?
When evaluating any AI tool for your district, consider the following criteria:
- Teacher Control: Does the tool keep the teacher in charge? AI should support teachers, not replace their judgment. Strong solutions use human-in-the-loop designs where teachers can review or adjust AI outputs. Always ask vendors how educators intervene or guide the AI’s actions.
- Transparency & Privacy: Be clear on what student data the AI collects, how that data is used, and who can see it. Reputable tools will gladly explain their data handling and show compliance with FERPA, COPPA, and the rigorous expectations outlined by 1Edtech. Prioritize AI that is an open book about its safeguards.
- Classroom Efficiency: A good AI tool should make a teacher’s life easier. The best ones reduce paperwork, automate tedious manual processes, or streamline lesson prep. If teachers need to jump through hoops to figure out how to implement the resource or do extra data entry, the tool might not be worth it. Look for evidence (like teacher testimonials or case studies) that a product actually saves time and improves classroom workflow.
- Personalization: One big promise of AI is to tailor learning to each student. Does the product use data, both assessment and instructional data, to adapt to individual student needs and progress? Effective AI education tools should dynamically adjust difficulty, provide scaffolded support, or offer enrichment so that every learner is appropriately challenged. Steer away from one-size-fits-all AI programs.
- Equity & Accessibility: Ensure the AI can serve all your students, including those with disabilities or multilingual learners. Check for features like multi-language support, read-aloud or audio options, adjustable reading levels, etc. The tool should meet accessibility standards and accommodate IEPs or 504 plans. If an AI platform only works for students without disabilities or only in English, it’s not the right choice for an equitable school environment.
These considerations align with the Framework for Responsible AI Integration in PreK–20 Education released by the Center for Innovation, Design, and Digital Learning (CIDDL).
Many school districts are implementing an AI scorecard or rubric to ensure key factors are considered when evaluating new AI tools. For example, you might ask a vendor: “How do teachers supervise the AI’s recommendations?”, “How does the tool interact with students?”, or “Does it accept open-ended student responses?” By insisting on teacher control, transparency, efficiency, personalization, and accessibility, district leaders can filter out flashy but impractical AI products. If your district hasn’t created a rubric or scorecard for AI evaluation, we’ve got you covered with a ready-to-use guide that makes the process simple and effective.
Download our K-12 AI Purchasing Guide designed to help decision-makers evaluate AI tools with confidence. Each question is paired with context on why it matters, common red flags to watch for, and expert-level questions to ask vendors. Using this guide, schools can move beyond simple yes/no answers and gain a clearer understanding of whether a potential purchase truly supports responsible, teacher-centered, and equitable classroom practices.
Conclusion: Turning Policy into Practice
Responsible AI can be a valuable resource for supporting teachers and impacting achievement. The federal government is encouraging schools to innovate with AI with recommendations for federal funding, but with an expectation that these innovations follow safety and ethical standards and help teachers to improve outcomes for all students. By using frameworks like CIDDL’s and following expert guidelines when choosing AI products, school districts can confidently navigate this new landscape. The benefits–from effectively scaling personalized learning to reducing teacher workload–are there for the taking, especially when implementing thoughtfully designed solutions.
About TouchMath
Classworks® and Wittly by Classworks™ are now part of the TouchMath® family. For over 50 years, TouchMath has provided systematic and explicit multisensory math instruction grounded in the Science of Mathematics to measurably accelerate student achievement. Educators around the country have relied on TouchMath to effectively meet the diverse and unique needs of students with dyscalculia and those who struggle with math. Learn more about TouchMath.
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"Classworks is a one-stop shop for your IEP development because it helps us not only develop the goals but also Progress Monitor the goal. It helps us to determine whether or not that goal is appropriate and is on target for being met."
Toby James
Caldwell County Schools Questions