AI Buyer’s Guide for K–12: How to Evaluate AI Tools for Your District

AI is rapidly reshaping K–12 education—but as new tools flood the market, district leaders are left with a critical challenge: How do you choose the right AI solution for your schools?

While the potential of AI is widely recognized, many education leaders are navigating the space without clear guidance. In a recent survey, district leaders expressed uncertainty about how to evaluate vendors, what questions to ask, and how to distinguish truly impactful tools from short-lived trends.

To help district leaders move forward with confidence, Panorama developed an AI Buyer’s Guide—a practical, interactive framework to support informed decision-making at every stage of the AI evaluation process.

Inside the Buyer's Guide

This guide is designed to help you go beyond marketing claims and focus on what truly matters for your district. Whether you're exploring AI to support instruction, streamline operations, or strengthen student interventions, the guide walks you through a clear, step-by-step process:

• Start with security: Understand privacy, data protection, and compliance requirements

• Define your needs: Identify the specific challenges your district is working to solve

• Align to strategy: Ensure any AI solution fits within your district’s goals and existing frameworks

• Evaluate functionality: Review key capabilities, technical requirements, and user experience

• Plan for implementation: Consider training, support, and long-term sustainability

• Monitor for equity and impact: Explore governance, transparency, and ethical use

• Think beyond cost: Examine value, ROI, and total cost of ownership

Each section includes space for reflection and note-taking, allowing you to capture key insights and lead productive conversations with your team or vendors. The result is a dynamic, usable document—not just a checklist, but a tool to guide real decisions.

Download the Complete AI Roadmap for District Leaders

The AI Buyer’s Guide is part of Panorama’s AI Roadmap for District Leaders—a free toolkit designed to help district teams adopt AI thoughtfully and strategically.

In addition to the Buyer’s Guide, the toolkit includes:

• 100+ ready-to-use AI prompts for educators, aligned to real district workflows

• A visual implementation infographic to support a successful rollout

Download the full toolkit to support every phase of your district’s AI journey—from investment to implementation to impact.