Featured Resources
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2026 Quarter 1 AI & Interoperability Brief Release
Interoperability is foundational to AI success in education, and building an underlying structure grounded in data standards and data maturity is key to implementing AI that will truly benefit schools and students.
The 2026 Quarterly AI and Interoperability Brief Series explores the intersection of interoperability and AI, highlighting the latest trends, case studies, and tools you can use to improve your educational technology ecosystem.
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Currently, the lack of standardized, national definitions for core service terms creates a systemic ‘transfer gap.’ This lack of clarity often results in significant delays for students waiting to receive comparable services in a new district. To address this, researchers convened an expert panel to establish a much-needed consensus on these terms.
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AI Data Use and Protection - Worksheet
In the rush to adopt an AI tool, don’t let data security become an afterthought. The AI Data Use and Protection Worksheet is designed to help cross-functional leaders—from the CISO to General Counsel—a clear, standardized vetting process.
This worksheet allows teams to create a side-by-side risk matrix for every vendor, allowing them to make a safe, confident, and informed decision before entering a vendor agreement.
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Considerations for the School Districts in Considering Large Scale AI Model Deals
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) and frontier AI models rapidly reshape the educational landscape, school systems face a dual challenge: harnessing these tools' transformative potential while rigorously safeguarding student data, privacy, and well-being. Procurement is no longer just about purchasing; along with AI literacy, it is the first line of defense in responsible AI governance.
The following slide deck is available for consideration and understanding.
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Considerations for the School Districts in Considering Large Scale AI Model Deals
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) and frontier AI models rapidly reshape the educational landscape, school systems face a dual challenge: harnessing these tools' transformative potential while rigorously safeguarding student data, privacy, and well-being. Procurement is no longer just about purchasing; along with AI literacy, it is the first line of defense in responsible AI governance.
For years, Project Unicorn has championed the need for data to flow seamlessly and securely between systems to inform instruction and operations. Simultaneously, the EDSAFE AI Alliance has led the global charge on the SAFE (Safety, Accountability, Fairness, and Efficacy) benchmarks for AI adoption in education.
Now, as "frontier models"—highly capable, large-scale AI systems—enter our schools, these two missions must converge. Procurement is the intersection where safety meets connectivity.
We developed this resource to bridge the gap between technical data governance and ethical AI implementation, responding to practical needs from our work leading 29 school district policy labs and 10 state policy labs. These questions are designed to help district and state leadership vet tools not just for what they can do, but for how they fit into a secure, interoperable, and learner-centered ecosystem. Whether you are evaluating a standalone AI app or integrating a large-scale frontier model, this guide can be part of your blueprint for responsible innovation.
Resource Database
CoSN Interoperability Toolkit
CoSN has developed this Interoperability Toolkit to help districts increase the interoperability of their academic and operational systems.
Ecosystem Empowerment Guide by A4L
This guide has been developed with input from CIOs/CTOs and is meant to address both data management and data privacy which are two major concerns that schools face each day.
A4L Sample RFP Language
Insert language from our partners at A4L in your requests for proposals so that your school or district procures only technologies that are interoperable.
EdSurge Research Guide in Interoperability
In this guide, you’ll find case studies from the perspective of educators and administrators, as well as a series of profiles that share how companies are thinking, planning and guiding their product development process to address these user needs.
Grace's Path to Success
Check out this resource from our partners at DQC to see how critical information is to supporting a student's unique path to graduation.
CoSN Interoperability Report
Read why interoperability standards matter in K-12 education. CoSN has produced a report that showcases perspectives from district and school leaders and makes the case for data interoperability.
Scaling Access and Impact: Realizing the Power of EdTech
Read this report to learn more about the impact of equitable edtech and how it can improve edtech and learning at scale from Omidyar Network.
EdMatrix - Education Standards Directory
EdMatrix is a cooperative effort to create a directory of Education Standards. The emphasis is on Education Data standards but important Competency & Achievement standards and Design & Practice standards are also included.
Chief Privacy Officers: Who They Are and Why We Need Them
From the Center for Democracy and Technology, read this resource to learn more about the role of Chief Privacy Officer and why they are important to district teams.
In Partnership with Providers: The Importance of the Vendor Community
From Ed-Fi Alliance, join Troy Wheeler as he discusses the value and role of technology providers in the larger movement towards interoperability.
State Education Leadership for Interoperability
Leveraging Data for Academic Excellence This report examines the current data interoperability efforts in nine states: Delaware, Georgia, Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Throughout the report, states explore the successes and challenges in making interoperable solutions where data is seamlessly connected and readily available for use by decision makers, teachers, parents, and students.
A4L Sample IEP RFP Language
Insert language from our partners at A4L in your requests for proposals so that your school or district procures only technologies that are interoperable.
Education Data 101: A Briefing Book for Policymakers
A great resource for state-level policymakers from our partners at DQC.
Rethinking State Accountability to Support Personalized, Competency-Based Learning in K-12 Education
iNACOL’s issue brief shares state policy recommendations and resources for policymakers who are ready to rethink state accountability systems to support student-centered learning.
You Need Data to Personalize Learning
This infographic from the Data Quality Campaign shows how critical data is to personalizing education.
The State of Data Interoperability in Education: A Report from our Partner Digital Promise
The State of Data Interoperability in Education policy report.
SEND (Smart Education Networks by Design)
The Smart Education Networks by Design (SEND) Initiative by CoSN provides districts with resources to help them navigate the shift from old networks to modern, resilient, flexible networks that support the increasing demands of teaching and learning.
Working Together to Strategically Connect the K-12 Enterprises
Interoperability Standards for Education. This new report from CoSN is a resource for non-technical leaders that will help district technology leaders understand why interoperability standards matters.
Eliminating EdTech Havoc
Why Open Standards Matter CoSN conducted, with the support of the Gates Foundation, two convenings to discuss interoperable systems and how they affect teaching and learning. Below is an overview of the issues identified and how CoSN as an organization is committed to moving forward to address them.
Time to Act: District Actions to Make Data Work for Students
Prize data in the service of learning through measuring what matters, making data use possible, being transparent and earning trust, and protecting privacy.