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PEAK Cohort

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Partnership for Educators Advancing AI Knowledge (PEAK)

 

Lead Your District's AI Future with Confidence

Artificial Intelligence is transforming the world—and education is no exception. The question isn't whether to use AI, but how to shape its role responsibly and equitably.

MassCUE, Throughline Learning, and UMass Lowell's AI Teach Co-Design Lab invite Massachusetts districts to join the Partnership for Educators Advancing AI Knowledge (PEA²K) Cohort 2 for the 2026-27 school year —a collaborative experience to help schools integrate AI intentionally and in alignment with district goals and state standards.

About the Cohort

The PEA²K  Program gives your district leadership team dedicated time, expert coaching, and a peer network of other Massachusetts districts doing this work alongside you. You won't leave with theory. You'll leave with a district-specific AI roadmap, real tools, and a plan your team can act on starting day one.

Why This Matters Now

AI is already reshaping teaching, learning, and equity, whether districts plan for it or not. With Massachusetts DESE's AI guidance now in place, the districts that act with intention now will be the ones who shape AI's role responsibly instead of scrambling to catch up. The PEA²K program is the structured, expert-backed space to do exactly that, so your district builds a thoughtful plan instead of risking wider equity gaps or missed opportunity.

What You'll Take Away

The PEA²K Cohort is built to move your district beyond theory and into action. Your team won't leave with a binder of ideas. You'll leave with a shared vision, concrete tools, and a clear roadmap your district can put to work right away.

  • Readiness Framework: Evaluate your district's current AI integration to identify strengths, gaps, and goals.
  • Strategic Roadmap: Walk away with a concrete, actionable plan built for your district's needs in the upcoming school year.
  • Expert Coaching: Work through your district's specific barriers with dedicated, one-on-one problem-solving sessions.
  • Toolkits: Get access to vetted templates and resources aligned with DESE AI Guidance, so your team isn't starting from scratch.
  • Peer Network: Join a community of Massachusetts district leaders tackling the same challenges, so you're never figuring this out alone.
  • MassCUE Fall Conference 1-Day Ticket: Included for team members.

Download the Flyer

PEA²K (Partnership for Educators Advancing AI Knowledge) Participation Details flyer for Massachusetts districts. PEA²K is a 2-year cohort program helping K-12 district leadership teams build knowledge and capacity to lead AI integration, facilitated by Throughline Learning in partnership with MassCUE and UMass Lowell's AITeach Co-Design Lab. Year 1 overview: Fall kick-off at the MassCUE Fall Conference (Oct 14-15) with a one-on-one coaching session to set team goals; Winter focused on deepening AI understanding, drafting district vision, and surveying stakeholders; Spring focused on turning feedback into instructional guidance and sharing completed work with cohort partners. What's included: teams of up to 8 members per district, an 8-month timeline running October through May 2027, in-person launch at the MassCUE Fall Conference, 6 virtual sessions at 2 hours per month, 3 hours of tailored coaching, and 45 PDP hours per active member plus 3 graduate credits. Cost is $8,950 per team, including 1-day tickets to the 2026 MassCUE Fall Conference. Visit www.masscue.org/peak for more information. Contact Grace Magley at MassCUE, gmagley@masscue.org. [1]

Eligibility & Team Composition

Districts must apply as a team of 6-8 educators, including:

Required:

  • At least 2 classroom teachers.
  • 1 district administrator connected to curriculum and instruction.

Optional team members:

  • School administrator
  • Instructional coach or specialist
  • School psychologist or guidance counselor

Note: All teams must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) signed by the Superintendent, confirming district support for:

How it Works

  • Team: Up to 8 leaders and teachers per district
  • Meetings: In-person PEA²K Launch Day + 6 virtual, 2-hour sessions
  • Coaching: 3 dedicated 1-hour coaching sessions per district team
  • Timeline: Eight months —October 2026 through May 2027
  • In-Person end of year AI PEA²K Sharefest and celebration

Program Cost

$8,950 per team

Cost includes:

  • MassCUE Fall Conference 1 Day ticket for team members (Oct. 14 or Oct. 15. 2026)
  • All professional learning sessions and cohort activities
  • Access to resources, coaching, and network support
  • 45 hours of PDPs

Additional Option: 3 graduate level course credits available through UMass Lowell (optional - Cost -TBD)

Apply for the PEA²K Cohort Today

Your district doesn't have to figure out AI alone, and it doesn't have to wait. The PEA²K Program gives your team the time, structure, and expert support to build a plan that reflects your district's values and your students' needs, starting this fall.

How to Apply

  1. Prepare your team information (names, roles, and emails).
  2. Obtain your Superintendent’s signed Letter of Intent (upload required). Download a PDF template here [2] or Google Doc template here [3].
  3. Review and prepare written responses (up to 250 words each) to the following questions:
    1. What is your district hoping to gain from participation in PEA²K?
    2. How does this initiative align with your district’s instructional goals or innovation priorities?
    3. How will your district support the implementation and sustainability of AI-related learning after the pilot?
  4. Complete the application form by Aug. 30, 2026
  5. Applicants will be notified by Sept. 15, 2026 if they have been accepted into the PEA²K Cohort 2.

The Partnership for Educators Advancing AI Knowledge (PEAK) Cohort is a collaboration with MassCUE and Throughline Learning.

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Throughline Learning

Research support from UMass Lowell’s AI Teach Co-Design Lab.

AITeach Lab at UMass Lowell