What this is
Expectations for how superintendents, central office staff, principals, and other leaders use technology and AI in their own work — and how they visibly model intentional practices for staff, students, and community.
Why it matters
Administrators set culture through visible practice. When leadership models the same intentional use the district asks of teachers and students, espoused values become observable practice. Admin modeling is the upstream signal that authorizes downstream expectations — teachers notice, and so do students.
Connects to
The Framework: Condition #3 (Mentoring & Modeling), Condition #1 (Shared Vision). ISTE Standards for Education Leaders.
Maturity levels
Not Started
No expectations for admin tech or AI use. Behavior is entirely personal preference and largely invisible to staff.
Emerging
Informal norms exist (e.g., "phones away in meetings") but inconsistently observed. No written AI use expectations. Leadership tech habits vary widely across buildings.
Established
Written expectations for admin AI and tech use that mirror what is required of teachers. Covers attention norms (device use in meetings), AI attribution in communications, and family-facing messaging. Leadership teams audit their own practice as part of their role.
Expanding
Administrators explicitly and visibly model the practices the district asks of teachers and students. Cabinet and principal meetings demonstrate intentional practice (device-free segments, analog note-taking norms, transparent AI use). Public communications are transparent about AI involvement. Leaders speak openly about their own tech habits, struggles, and adjustments.
Go deeper with
Example resource
All4Ed Future Ready Schools (futureready.org)
Also consider
- AASA (School Superintendents Association) — AI and leadership resources
- NAESP and NASSP — principal-focused leadership resources
- ISTE Standards for Education Leaders
- Jenni Donohoo — Collective Efficacy (relevant to modeling in leadership)