AI Technology Evaluation Guide This guide is designed to help K-5 leaders make informed decisions about AI technology investments. Successfully integrating AI into classrooms requires thoughtful planning, strong public infrastructure, and clear guidelines to ensure ethical use, safe implementation, and informed decision-making. This guide is built to support K–5 leaders in asking the right questions and to consider key factors before investing in AI solutions for K-5education. Specifically, young learners need extra safeguards. AI must be reliable, protected, and teacher-controlled to ensure appropriate use. Investing in AI isn’t just about adopting new technology—it’s about creating more effective, accessible, and student-centered learning environments. When designed to enhance educator impact, AI can personalize learning, reduce administrative burden, and deliver actionable insights that improve instruction. With the right approach, AI can help unlock adaptive learning experiences and targeted support, helping every student thrive. Safety, Privacy, & Ethics Is the tool COPPA, FERPA, GDPR, and Digital Promise compliant, with clear policies on data collection, storage, usage, and sharing—and guardrails to prevent bias or inappropriate outputs?
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
Does the solution provide clear insights and measurable outcomes?
YES
NO
Does the AI tool support age-appropriate assessments that provide useful data insights?
YES
NO
Does the tool support learning with developmentally appropriate content aligned to best practices like SoR and UDL, without distracting from instruction?
YES
NO
Does the platform provide students with meaningful opportunities to develop skills and understanding around the responsible and ethical use of AI?
YES
NO
YES
NO
Is the tool intuitive and age-appropriate for the intended audience and educators?
YES
NO
Does the tool ensure that direct interaction with AI remains under the control of educators, rather than students, to safeguard instructional integrity, student privacy, and responsible use?
YES
NO
Accountability Has the AI vendor established transparent, standards-based policies that align with existing regulations and support responsible use?
Fair and Transparent Is it clear to families how AI is being used with their children?
Efficacy
Instructional Value
Teacher Oversight & Control Can teachers review, edit, and guide AI outputs, with safeguards to ensure student experiences are safe, equitable, and teacher-directed—without generative AI like chatbots?
Age Appropriateness & Ease of Use