What happened
A student-written, nonbinding AI policy framework goes national through a tour, with reach but no adoption yet.
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## Preparing K-12 and higher education IT leaders for the exponential era
[K-12 Education](https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12)
# National Initiative to Give Students a Voice in School AI Policy
## Building on a gathering of student representatives from all 50 states in July, the Students First Tour will support local policy discussions, student leadership opportunities and conversations with education officials.
October 21, 2026
* [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=314190606794339&display=popup&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.govtech.com%2Feducation%2Fk-12%2Fnational-initiative-to-give-students-a-voice-in-school-ai-policy) * [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.govtech.com%2Feducation%2Fk-12%2Fnational-initiative-to-give-students-a-voice-in-school-ai-policy&mini=true&title=National%20Initiative%20to%20Give%20Students%20a%20Voice%20in%20School%20AI%20Policy&summary=Building%20on%20a%20gathering%20of%20student%20representatives%20from%20all%2050%20states%20in%20July%2C%20the%20Students%20First%20Tour%20will%20support%20local%20policy%20discussions%2C%20student%20leadership%20opportunities%20and%20conversations%20with%20education%20officials.&source=GovTech) * [Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.govtech.com%2Feducation%2Fk-12%2Fnational-initiative-to-give-students-a-voice-in-school-ai-policy&text=National%20Initiative%20to%20Give%20Students%20a%20Voice%20in%20School%20AI%20Policy) * [Print](javascript:window.print()) * [Email](mailto:?body=National%20Initiative%20to%20Give%20Students%20a%20Voice%20in%20School%20AI%20Policy%0A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.govtech.com%2Feducation%2Fk-12%2Fnational-initiative-to-give-students-a-voice-in-school-ai-policy%0A%0ABuilding%20on%20a%20gathering%20of%20student%20representatives%20from%20all%2050%20states%20in%20July%2C%20the%20Students%20First%20Tour%20will%20support%20local%20policy%20discussions%2C%20student%20leadership%20opportunities%20and%20conversations%20with%20education%20officials.)
The nonprofit Day of AI is expanding opportunities for K-12 students across the U.S. to participate in AI policy discussions with educators, administrators and government officials.
The Students First Tour continues what the nonprofit [started in July](https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/students-create-national-framework-for-ai-in-schools) with the Student Senate, part of America’s Youth AI Festival in Massachusetts, in which 98 students representing all 50 states developed and approved the [STUDENT FIRST Act](https://dayofai.org/news/student-senate-student-first-act), a proposed policy framework for responsible AI use in K-12 schools.
“The Student Senate showed what can happen when young people are given the opportunity to wrestle seriously with questions that will shape their lives," Day of AI Executive Director Jeffrey Riley said in a public statement. "The Students First Tour will help students take the next step by bringing those ideas home, engaging young people across the country, and continuing to learn together."
The Students First Tour has three major components, each [designed to help student leaders](https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/new-initiative-trains-students-to-participate-on-school-boards) build upon work they completed last summer and garner new perspectives from their school-aged peers across the country.
The first is a national student ambassador cohort. Selected students will meet both virtually and in-person throughout 2027 and 2028 to [plan and facilitate AI policy discussions](https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/cite23-how-to-start-an-ai-task-force-at-your-school) and activities within their own communities. Applications will open in winter, the news release said.
In collaboration with another nonprofit, the Edward M. Kennedy (EMK) Institute for the United States Senate, Day of AI will also provide resources for local student senates to help educators and community organizations coordinate student policy exercises similar to those of last summer. According to the news release, the resources will be provided in the form of guides tailored to accommodate different participation levels, from [individual classrooms to multischool or community initiatives](https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/new-guidelines-aim-to-keep-ai-in-schools-human-centered).
The news release said participating students may also submit original AI policy proposals or modifications to the STUDENT FIRST Act, which will be collected in an online repository hosted by Day of AI and the EMK Institute.
Additional student gatherings and policy discussions will take place across the country, with specific locations and dates to be announced in the coming months.
In addition to the EMK Institute for the United States Senate, Day of AI is also working to expand the Students First Tour with MIT RAISE, an education research initiative, and with The School Superintendents Association (AASA) to distribute the STUDENT FIRST Act to its [network of more than 10,000 school leaders](https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/new-data-privacy-center-to-advise-k-12-leaders-on-issues).
According to the news release, some students have already brought their recommendations before state education officials. In Oregon, participants [presented the Act to the state Senate's education committee](https://eastoregonian.com/2026/09/17/uhs-students-take-part-in-national-conversation-about-ai/), while students in Connecticut [shared it with their State Board of Education](https://gazette.com/2026/08/10/by-the-students-for-the-students-sierra-high-school-represents-colorado-in-developing-national-ai-framework/).
* [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=314190606794339&display=popup&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.govtech.com%2Feducation%2Fk-12%2Fnational-initiative-to-give-students-a-voice-in-school-ai-policy) * [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.govtech.com%2Feducation%2Fk-12%2Fnational-initiative-to-give-students-a-voice-in-school-ai-policy&mini=true&title=National%20Initiative%20to%20Give%20Students%20a%20Voice%20in%20School%20AI%20Policy&summary=Building%20on%20a%20gathering%20of%20student%20representatives%20from%20all%2050%20states%20in%20July%2C%20the%20Students%20First%20Tour%20will%20support%20local%20policy%20discussions%2C%20student%20leadership%20opportunities%20and%20conversations%20with%20education%20officials.&source=GovTech) * [Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.govtech.com%2Feducation%2Fk-12%2Fnational-initiative-to-give-students-a-voice-in-school-ai-policy&text=National%20Initiative%20to%20Give%20Students%20a%20Voice%20in%20School%20AI%20Policy) * [Print](javascript:window.print()) * [Email](mailto:?body=National%20Initiative%20to%20Give%20Students%20a%20Voice%20in%20School%20AI%20Policy%0A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.govtech.com%2Feducation%2Fk-12%2Fnational-initiative-to-give-students-a-voice-in-school-ai-policy%0A%0ABuilding%20on%20a%20gathering%20of%20student%20representatives%20from%20all%2050%20states%20in%20July%2C%20the%20Students%20First%20Tour%20will%20support%20local%20policy%20discussions%2C%20student%20leadership%20opportunities%20and%20conversations%20with%20education%20officials.)
## Tags:
[Artificial Intelligence](https://www.govtech.com/tag/artificial-intelligence) [Policy](https://www.govtech.com/tag/policy)[K-12](https://www.govtech.com/tag/k-12)[Education](https://www.govtech.com/tag/education)
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## IE 11 Not Supported
For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.
## Preparing K-12 and higher education IT leaders for the exponential era
[K-12 Education](https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12)
# National Initiative to Give Students a Voice in School AI Policy
## Building on a gathering of student representatives from all 50 states in July, the Students First Tour will support local policy discussions, student leadership opportunities and conversations with education officials.
October 21, 2026
* [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=314190606794339&display=popup&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.govtech.com%2Feducation%2Fk-12%2Fnational-initiative-to-give-students-a-voice-in-school-ai-policy) * [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.govtech.com%2Feducation%2Fk-12%2Fnational-initiative-to-give-students-a-voice-in-school-ai-policy&mini=true&title=National%20Initiative%20to%20Give%20Students%20a%20Voice%20in%20School%20AI%20Policy&summary=Building%20on%20a%20gathering%20of%20student%20representatives%20from%20all%2050%20states%20in%20July%2C%20the%20Students%20First%20Tour%20will%20support%20local%20policy%20discussions%2C%20student%20leadership%20opportunities%20and%20conversations%20with%20education%20officials.&source=GovTech) * [Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.govtech.com%2Feducation%2Fk-12%2Fnational-initiative-to-give-students-a-voice-in-school-ai-policy&text=National%20Initiative%20to%20Give%20Students%20a%20Voice%20in%20School%20AI%20Policy) * [Print](javascript:window.print()) * [Email](mailto:?body=National%20Initiative%20to%20Give%20Students%20a%20Voice%20in%20School%20AI%20Policy%0A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.govtech.com%2Feducation%2Fk-12%2Fnational-initiative-to-give-students-a-voice-in-school-ai-policy%0A%0ABuilding%20on%20a%20gathering%20of%20student%20representatives%20from%20all%2050%20states%20in%20July%2C%20the%20Students%20First%20Tour%20will%20support%20local%20policy%20discussions%2C%20student%20leadership%20opportunities%20and%20conversations%20with%20education%20officials.)
The nonprofit Day of AI is expanding opportunities for K-12 students across the U.S. to participate in AI policy discussions with educators, administrators and government officials.
The Students First Tour continues what the nonprofit [started in July](https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/students-create-national-framework-for-ai-in-schools) with the Student Senate, part of America’s Youth AI Festival in Massachusetts, in which 98 students representing all 50 states developed and approved the [STUDENT FIRST Act](https://dayofai.org/news/student-senate-student-first-act), a proposed policy framework for responsible AI use in K-12 schools.
“The Student Senate showed what can happen when young people are given the opportunity to wrestle seriously with questions that will shape their lives," Day of AI Executive Director Jeffrey Riley said in a public statement. "The Students First Tour will help students take the next step by bringing those ideas home, engaging young people across the country, and continuing to learn together."
The Students First Tour has three major components, each [designed to help student leaders](https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/new-initiative-trains-students-to-participate-on-school-boards) build upon work they completed last summer and garner new perspectives from their school-aged peers across the country.
The first is a national student ambassador cohort. Selected students will meet both virtually and in-person throughout 2027 and 2028 to [plan and facilitate AI policy discussions](https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/cite23-how-to-start-an-ai-task-force-at-your-school) and activities within their own communities. Applications will open in winter, the news release said.
In collaboration with another nonprofit, the Edward M. Kennedy (EMK) Institute for the United States Senate, Day of AI will also provide resources for local student senates to help educators and community organizations coordinate student policy exercises similar to those of last summer. According to the news release, the resources will be provided in the form of guides tailored to accommodate different participation levels, from [individual classrooms to multischool or community initiatives](https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/new-guidelines-aim-to-keep-ai-in-schools-human-centered).
The news release said participating students may also submit original AI policy proposals or modifications to the STUDENT FIRST Act, which will be collected in an online repository hosted by Day of AI and the EMK Institute.
Additional student gatherings and policy discussions will take place across the country, with specific locations and dates to be announced in the coming months.
In addition to the EMK Institute for the United States Senate, Day of AI is also working to expand the Students First Tour with MIT RAISE, an education research initiative, and with The School Superintendents Association (AASA) to distribute the STUDENT FIRST Act to its [network of more than 10,000 school leaders](https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/new-data-privacy-center-to-advise-k-12-leaders-on-issues).
According to the news release, some students have already brought their recommendations before state education officials. In Oregon, participants [presented the Act to the state Senate's education committee](https://eastoregonian.com/2026/09/17/uhs-students-take-part-in-national-conversation-about-ai/), while students in Connecticut [shared it with their State Board of Education](https://gazette.com/2026/08/10/by-the-students-for-the-students-sierra-high-school-represents-colorado-in-developing-national-ai-framework/).
* [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=314190606794339&display=popup&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.govtech.com%2Feducation%2Fk-12%2Fnational-initiative-to-give-students-a-voice-in-school-ai-policy) * [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.govtech.com%2Feducation%2Fk-12%2Fnational-initiative-to-give-students-a-voice-in-school-ai-policy&mini=true&title=National%20Initiative%20to%20Give%20Students%20a%20Voice%20in%20School%20AI%20Policy&summary=Building%20on%20a%20gathering%20of%20student%20representatives%20from%20all%2050%20states%20in%20July%2C%20the%20Students%20First%20Tour%20will%20support%20local%20policy%20discussions%2C%20student%20leadership%20opportunities%20and%20conversations%20with%20education%20officials.&source=GovTech) * [Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.govtech.com%2Feducation%2Fk-12%2Fnational-initiative-to-give-students-a-voice-in-school-ai-policy&text=National%20Initiative%20to%20Give%20Students%20a%20Voice%20in%20School%20AI%20Policy) * [Print](javascript:window.print()) * [Email](mailto:?body=National%20Initiative%20to%20Give%20Students%20a%20Voice%20in%20School%20AI%20Policy%0A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.govtech.com%2Feducation%2Fk-12%2Fnational-initiative-to-give-students-a-voice-in-school-ai-policy%0A%0ABuilding%20on%20a%20gathering%20of%20student%20representatives%20from%20all%2050%20states%20in%20July%2C%20the%20Students%20First%20Tour%20will%20support%20local%20policy%20discussions%2C%20student%20leadership%20opportunities%20and%20conversations%20with%20education%20officials.)
## Tags:
[Artificial Intelligence](https://www.govtech.com/tag/artificial-intelligence) [Policy](https://www.govtech.com/tag/policy)[K-12](https://www.govtech.com/tag/k-12)[Education](https://www.govtech.com/tag/education)
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