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AI as a catalyst for improving professional learning systems

By Michael Ham and Ji Soo Song
Categories: Implementation, Learning systems/planning, Resources, Technology
February 2026
New AI tools have entered classrooms faster than most professional learning systems were designed to respond. In a short period of time, educators have been asked to make new instructional decisions about assessment, feedback, differentiation, and academic integrity, often while guidance and support lag behind. In response, professional learning has followed familiar patterns. Short workshops, tool demonstrations, and standalone trainings have multiplied. Many of these experiences generate initial excitement, yet they rarely provide the sustained support educators need to translate new ideas into durable changes in practice. This challenge is not new, but the pace and visibility of AI have increased the cost of getting professional learning wrong. To support a more systemic approach, SETDA (2025), in partnership with FullScale, Learning Forward, and ISTE+ASCD, conducted

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References

Langreo, L. (2025). Teacher AI training is rising fast, but still has a long way to go. Education Week. learnfwd.org/9814ac

SETDA. (2025) Improving professional learning systems to better support today’s educators: How Title II, Part A offers a model for state and local leadership. learnfwd.org/1ao

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Michael Ham is a partner, research and policy at FullScale.

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Ji Soo Song is director of projects and initiatives at SETDA.


Categories: Implementation, Learning systems/planning, Resources, Technology

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