13 School and District Teams Embark on the Rural AI Strategy Lab Initiative
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education is gaining momentum, with a new initiative aimed at bringing AI to rural schools. K-12 education nonprofit FullScale, in collaboration with nonprofit advocacy group All4Ed, has announced the Rural AI Strategy Lab. This six-month program will bring together 13 selected school and district teams to explore and implement AI in ways that align with their local priorities and community contexts.
Introducing the Rural AI Strategy Lab
Out of more than 100 applicants from 34 states, 13 teams were chosen for their commitment to innovative learning approaches. The Rural AI Strategy Lab is dedicated to supporting rural educators as they research, test, and incorporate AI technologies into their teaching methodologies. This initiative seeks to address the unique challenges faced by rural schools while fostering a community that emphasizes responsible AI adoption. FullScale has highlighted the program’s objective to develop tools and resources that will aid in the seamless integration of AI within these educational settings.
Participants in the Initiative
The following schools and districts have been selected to participate in the Rural AI Strategy Lab:
- Berkshire Hills Regional School District (MA)
- Cape Flattery School District (WA)
- Davenport School District (WA)
- Elko County (NV) School District
- Griswold Public Schools (CT)
- Ionia County Career Center (MI)
- Louisa County (VA) Public Schools
- Martin County Schools (NC)
- Mason County Eastern Schools (MI)
- Mount Greylock Regional School District (MA)
- Mohave Valley Elementary School District (AZ)
- Pikeville Independent Schools (KY)
- Polk County Schools (TN)
Voices from the Initiative
Dr. Beth Rabbitt, co-CEO of FullScale, emphasized the importance of involving rural educators in the AI conversation. “Rural educators have been largely absent from the national conversation about AI – from tool development to policy,” she stated. “The Rural AI Strategy Lab exists to change that. We are inspired by the deep commitment these systems bring to ensuring AI is used in ways that truly serve their students and communities.”
Virgel Hammonds, Co-CEO of FullScale, echoed this sentiment, noting the unique challenges and opportunities rural schools face. “These 13 teams represent the ingenuity and commitment that defines rural education, and we are proud to help them shape what responsible AI adoption looks like in communities like theirs,” Hammonds remarked.
Dr. Amy Loyd, CEO of All4Ed, highlighted the pioneering efforts of the participants. “The educators in this cohort are doing something the broader field desperately needs: learning by doing, in real communities, with real students,” she commented. “What they discover about what works, what doesn’t, and what our rural schools actually need from AI will benefit more than just their own classrooms. This work will help shape a more effective and equitable path forward for districts everywhere.”
For further details about the Rural AI Strategy Lab, visit the FullScale website. Interested readers can also access the original announcement here.
About the Author
Rhea Kelly is Editor-in-Chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].
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