PEAK Cohort

Empowering District Teams to Lead Intentional AI Integration

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, EdTechTeacher, and UMass Lowell’s AI Teach Co-Design Lab invite Massachusetts districts to join the Partnership for Educators Advancing AI Knowledge (PEAK) Cohort—a collaborative experience to help schools integrate AI intentionally and in alignment with district goals, and state standards. Applications for the 2026 cohort are due Dec. 2, 2025.

AI offers powerful opportunities to enhance teaching, learning, and equity, but only with intentional planning. It’s here to stay, and schools need strategies to use it effectively, ethically, and in ways that reflect their unique contexts and communities.

With DESE’s new AI guidance, districts now need structured support to translate that vision into meaningful action. The PEAK Cohort provides a space for educators and leaders to collaborate, co-design, and build thoughtful implementation plans. Without this kind of planning, we risk widening equity gaps and missing the chance to harness AI’s transformative potential for all learners.

What You’ll Take Away

The PEAK Cohort is designed to move beyond theory into action. Each participating district will leave with a shared vision, concrete tools, and a clear roadmap for responsible AI integration.

Concrete, Classroom-Ready Outcomes

District AI Vision: A shared vision aligned with your instructional priorities, community values, and equity goals.
Draft AI Guidelines: Customized guidelines grounded in DESE’s AI guidance and tailored to your district’s unique context.
Professional Development Plan: A strategy to build staff capacity and confidence through PD centered on teacher voice and authentic practice.
“Look-Fors” Checklist: Observable indicators that help educators and leaders identify effective, ethical AI use in classrooms.
Implementation Roadmap: A timeline and actionable steps to guide rollout, reflection, and continuous improvement.
Peer Network: Sustained connections with Massachusetts districts tackling similar challenges—and opportunities—in AI integration.

Districts must apply as a team of 3–6 educators, including:

Required:

At least 2 classroom teachers (early adopters preferred).
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:

Funding participation
Releasing time for the team to attend the summit and monthly sessions
Download a PDF template here or Google Doc template here.

Gain Skills & Earn Credentials

Access EdTechTeacher's curated, educator-focused IBM SkillsBuild platform to explore a wide variety of engaging self-paced modules and courses such as "Teaching Artificial Intelligence," "Getting AI to Work For You: Learn the Art of Prompting," and "A Teacher's Guide to AI Ethics."

Incentives:

Participating districts are eligible for live virtual or live onsite training on any topic in the SkillsBuild platform at zero cost. Additionally, any district that joins the PEAK Cohort can enroll their entire staff in the SkillsBuild platform and earn credentials for free.