RAIL helps you play defense in a world increasingly governed by AI. RAIL also helps you play offense by enabling you to design for superior governance, better learning experiences, and happier teachers and staff.

There has been an explosion in “guidance” documents, and they can be wonderful resources. But most school leaders need an implementation framework that they can trust. Since 1887, Middle States has been the gold standard in implementation frameworks for accreditation, so it was natural for us to step into the AI gap.

For schools in the United States, the RAIL endorsement in “AI Literacy, Safety, and Ethics” will keep you are ahead of the curve on USDOE’s expectations: on February 8, 2024, the United States Department of Education Office of Ed Tech’s wrote: “In response to the [October 2023] Executive Order, the U.S. Department of Education is committed to developing new resources, policies, and guidance regarding AI. We’re particularly focused on addressing safe, responsible, and accessible uses of AI in education.”

We estimate the value of a RAIL endorsement at $75,000 in the form of professional development, improved teacher retention, and increased enrollment.

A RAIL endorsement cost $3000/year, which means it pays for itself many times over. Schools typically use IT or professional development budgets to invest in RAIL.

Ultimately, the value of RAIL lies in the fact that it is a comprehensive implementation framework for AI. That is how you stay safe and stay ahead.

RAIL was developed by the Middle States AI Advisory Team.

No. RAIL endorsements are available to any school or system.

Yes. Like accreditation, the endorsement is built on the model of a standard; key concepts that comprise that standard; indicators of quality for each key concept; and required evidence to prove that you are fulfilling the indicators.

In addition, the process of earning the endorsement is similar to accreditation—it relies on institutional reflection (in the form of a self study), capacity development (in the form of creating or updating required evidence), and community building (in the form of engagement with major stakeholders).

Week of March 4: Application window opens. Interested parties can also sign up for open office hours to learn more.

Week of March 25: Application window closes.

Week of April 1: Admissions decisions communicated.

Weeks of April 1, 8, 15, 22: Onboarding for pilot participants (multiple options to accommodate school schedules)

Week of April 29: Pilot participants begin self study

Week of August 5 (or sooner): Middle States evaluates self studies.

Week of August 26 (or sooner): Middle States announces endorsements for pilot participants.

You should expect to spend 2-4 hours a week between May and mid-July to complete your work on the endorsement.

If you’re not sure, or if you want to be considered for cohort #2 (August 2025), you can let us know here.

In the meantime, join our RAIL workshops, read our Forces at Play reports, follow us on social media, and keep an eye out for news about cohort #2.

No. The RAIL endorsement is entirely separate from accreditation.

All schools, school systems, and learning service providers are eligible to apply for RAIL.

For the pilot we are only focused on whole-school change. You can join the waiting list for future cohorts here.

In our conversations with insurance brokers, we have learned that insurance providers are likely to begin asking for updates to policies and handbooks that address AI. So we encourage you to get ahead of that expectation. You can find some ideas here.

Pilot participants should expect to assemble a team of 3-5 people. (Larger systems may require more people.) You will likely spend an average of 2-4 hours a week May, June, and part of July.

RAIL is an implementation framework. As former school leaders, we at Middle States saw the need for a trustworthy guide for AI literacy, safety, and ethics. This shared understanding and alignment will allow your teachers and students to continue their mission-aligned work with confidence. Note: RAIL does not serve as an insurance policy nor can it mitigate every foreseeable threat.

You will work directly with Amber Berry, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Middle States, and Christian Talbot, President & CEO of Middle States.

Take 2 minutes to figure out what your next steps should be.

This endorsement requires the approval of responsible use from the senior decision maker at your school. While you wait for that person to permit genAI, we encourage you to join our RAIL workshops, read our Forces at Play reports, follow us on social media, and join the RAIL waiting list here.

No. RAIL is the world’s first endorsement in AI for schools. At the moment, the best alternative is to create your own solution by looking at various forms of guidance available on the internet.

(1) RAIL is the world’s first endorsement in AI for schools. (2) We created it with the help of experts. (3) We are a trusted global accreditor. (4) The framework is clear and easy to use. (5) We provide strong support at every step of the process. (6) The final product relies on concrete evidence, so it can be trusted by everyone in the wider community.

You can apply here.