ISTE+ASCD and Google Partner to Provide AI Literacy Training to Six Million U.S. Educators
Three-year initiative will offer free AI literacy training nationwide, equipping educators to lead confidently in an AI-driven world
WASHINGTON, D.C. (FEBRUARY 23, 2026) – ISTE+ASCD today announced a new three-year partnership with Google to make high-quality AI literacy training available to six million K-12 teachers and higher education faculty across the United States. This initiative represents the largest coordinated effort to prepare educators to use AI in ways that support effective teaching and encourages curiosity and creativity for students.
Through this partnership, Google will design and deliver an educator-centered AI literacy program grounded in pedagogy, ethics, and critical thinking, with ISTE+ASCD supporting both the design and delivery of the training. The training will include hands-on exploration of AI tools, including Google’s Gemini models and NotebookLM, while emphasizing broader concepts such as responsible use, instructional alignment, bias awareness, and student agency. The flexible program will be designed to fit into the busy schedules of K-12 teachers and higher education faculty, and will culminate in certifications recognizing demonstrated understanding.
“Knowing how to use AI to support learning can’t be limited to a handful of early adopters,” said Richard Culatta, CEO of ISTE+ASCD. “If we want students to use AI to be responsible, creative, problem solvers, every educator needs the knowledge and confidence to guide them. This partnership is about ensuring all teachers have basic AI readiness that becomes a foundational skill in every classroom.”
As AI becomes increasingly present in schools, educators are seeking clear guidance on how to use this technology in ways that strengthen learning while maintaining academic integrity and student safety. The program will roll out nationally in the coming months and will be open to all K-12 teachers and higher education faculty across all grade levels and subject areas.
By focusing on capacity-building rather than quick adoption, ISTE+ASCD and Google aim to help schools move from haphazard to intentional practice – ensuring that decisions about AI are grounded in strong teaching, sound policy, and student-centered learning.
About ISTE+ASCD
In 2023, ISTE and ASCD merged to create a unified organization dedicated to ensuring every student has an amazing learning experience every day. Today, ISTE+ASCD is the largest innovation-focused education non-profit worldwide, serving over a million educators in every U.S. state and over 100 countries around the world. ISTE+ASCD offers inspiring events, professional certifications, dynamic member communities, and innovative thought leadership to help educators create transformational learning experiences.