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Education First announces the launch of the AI x Coherence Academy, a nine-month initiative that will equip school district and charter management organization (CMO) leaders to thoughtfully integrate generative artificial intelligence (AI) across teaching, learning and system-wide efforts. Through community-building workshops, tailored coaching and a $25,000 grant, the Academy aims to build capacity, thoughtfully accelerate innovation and foster coherence in AI-related initiatives.

After receiving applications from across the country, the inaugural cohort includes 11 school districts and CMOs dedicated to exploring how AI can drive stronger outcomes for their school communities:

• Boston Public Schools (Boston, MA)
• DSST Public Schools (Denver, CO)
• Duval County Public Schools (Jacksonville, FL)
• Hamilton County Public Schools (Chattanooga, TN)
• Hawaii Department of Education (Honolulu, HI)
• Newburgh Enlarged City School District (Newburgh, NY)
• Quincy School District (Quincy, WA)
• Salem-Keizer Public Schools (Salem, OR)
• United Charter High Schools (New York, NY)
• Wichita Public Schools (Wichita, KS)
• Ypsilanti Community Schools (Ypsilanti, MI)

“We are thrilled to work alongside this group of school districts and CMOs as they lead the way in leveraging AI to enhance teaching and learning,” said Ila Deshmukh Towery, a partner at Education First. “As this work progresses, we’re excited to share our lessons learned and the impact the AI x Coherence Academy has on helping districts create coherence among AI-related strategies and define meaningful outcomes for students and educators.”
During their Academy experience, district teams will explore and apply Education First’s AI x Coherence Framework, which synthesizes the organization’s extensive experience working with school systems to plan, align and measure the impact of new initiatives. This approach builds on Education First’s past coherence work with school districts, county education agencies and state education agencies in partnership with the Aspen Institute Education & Society Program, Equity Meets Design and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO).

Education First thanks the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative for its generous support in making the AI x Coherence Academy possible.

For more information about the program and the participating districts, visit Education First’s AI x Coherence webpage.

About Education First: Education First Consulting is a leading strategy consulting firm dedicated to accelerating academic success, transforming the teaching profession and cultivating thriving education systems.

Contact:
Austin Wechter, Director of Communications
awechter@education-first.com
(317) 750-9301