RAIL FAQs

  • 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.

  • Schools must assemble a team of 5-7 people.  You will likely spend an average of 2-4 hours a week over the 16 weeks.

  • 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).

  • No. The RAIL endorsement is entirely separate from accreditation.

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

  • Yes! Apply 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.

  • 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.

  • 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:

    When you are ready, apply 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.

FAQs

About Endorsement II: Essential AI. Powerful Learning.

  • ELE is the second endorsement in the RAIL (Responsible AI in Learning) series. It helps schools to answer two questions: What does powerful learning look like at our school, and how can we use AI to make it happen? Note: Schools must first complete the endorsement in “AI Literacy, Safety, and Ethics” (LSE) before pursuing ELE.

  • The LSE endorsement focuses on ensuring that your whole school is literate, safe, and ethical in its use of AI. ELE builds upon this foundation by transforming the actual learning experience. LSE establishes safe boundaries; ELE helps schools to reimagine what is possible within those boundaries through powerful learning experiences enhanced by AI.

    Both endorsements are comprehensive implementation frameworks. No “checklists” here! We help you to change the way your school operates.

  • Yes. LSE is a prerequisite for ELE.

  • The return on this investment is extraordinary. Your school will:

    • Establish itself as the AI leader in your market.

    • Experience improved enrollment and re-enrollment because of your capacity to create powerful learning experiences for students. Your alumni will be supremely well positioned to thrive and lead in a world of increasingly abundant AI.

    • Enjoy world class professional development in AI that would otherwise cost tens of thousands of dollars.

    • Join a community of elite RAIL schools from around the world (currently 30 countries on 6 continents). You will make professional connections that allow your faculty to stand out as elite AI practitioners.

    • Raise more philanthropic capital from donors who recognize your mission-driven courage and foresight.

  • You will:

    • Assemble a team of 5-7 members (ideally the same team that led your school’s work with LSE, though this is not required).

    • Craft a one-page “Declaration of Powerful Learning” along with other short assets to strengthen your school’s capacity for mission-driven innovation.

    • Recruit at least 25% of your faculty to do short action research projects on the use of AI for powerful learning.

    • Update your change strategy and change plan from LSE.

  • In action research, educators investigate the use of AI to create powerful learning experiences. They will document and reflect on results, and iterate in their approaches when it makes sense. Action research combines practical classroom implementation with the scientific method.

    We provide templates for action research projects covering areas such as project-based learning, formative assessment, and instructional design. Schools can adapt these templates or develop their own investigations. Ambitious teachers may propose other kinds of action research that go beyond our templates.

  • The endorsement runs for 16 weeks. Your ELE Team does 4-6 weeks of asset creation. Select teachers will conduct two action research projects (each approximately 2 weeks in length for a total of one month of involvement). During the period they are active, participants will spend 1–3 hours per week contributing. Schools should budget for professional development, AI tools, and time for faculty collaboration.

  • The ELE endorsement is $4000/year and the endorsement lasts for two years (for a total of $8000). Schools that have joined a RAIL LSE cohort before September 2025 will receive a 25% discount.

    The return on this investment is extraordinary. Your school will:

    • Establish itself as the AI leader in your market.

    • Experience improved enrollment and re-enrollment because of your capacity to create powerful learning experiences for students. Your alumni will be supremely well positioned to thrive and lead in a world of increasingly abundant AI.

    • Enjoy world class professional development in AI that would otherwise cost tens of thousands of dollars.

    • Join a community of elite RAIL schools from around the world (currently 30 countries on 6 continents). You will make professional connections that allow your faculty to stand out as elite AI practitioners.

    • Raise more philanthropic capital from donors who recognize your mission-driven courage and foresight.

  • Completion of the LSE endorsement is a prerequisite for ELE. Schools that have started or completed LSE are eligible to apply for the ELE endorsement. Be prepared to need to provide information about your school, your current AI initiatives, and your goals for the ELE endorsement.