Following Illinois’ release of comprehensive statewide AI guidance for schools, UIS and ION eLearning partner with Ed3 to translate policy into classroom-ready professional learning

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS), through its Center for Academic and Professional Education (CAPE) and ION eLearning program, and Ed3 have announced a strategic partnership to deliver AI literacy and professional development courses designed for educators across Illinois. The partnership positions UIS among institutions working to translate emerging state-level AI guidance into scalable, credit-bearing professional learning for teachers.

On July 9, 2026, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released comprehensive statewide guidance on the use of artificial intelligence in PreK-12 schools. For districts across Illinois, the challenge now is translating that guidance into classroom practice. UIS’s ION eLearning brings more than 25 years of experience delivering professional development in online teaching, online leadership, accessibility, and open educational resources. Through the partnership, UIS is pairing that infrastructure with Ed3’s classroom-tested, pedagogy-first approach to AI professional learning, creating a ready-made pathway for Illinois educators to move from AI guidance to implementation.

Starting September 8, 2026, UIS will offer a suite of self-paced, fully online courses and stackable micro-credentials co-developed with Ed3, a nonprofit that has supported more than 20,000 educator enrollments across 48 states, representing more than 900,000 hours of professional development. Rather than treating AI as a tool to bolt onto existing practice, the courses begin with research-based pedagogy and build outward, equipping educators with the judgment and practical skills to use AI thoughtfully to strengthen teaching and learning.

“The University of Illinois Springfield and ION eLearning are proud to partner with Ed3 to expand access to high-quality pedagogy-first AI professional learning for teachers across Illinois.”

~ Russ Stoup, Acting Director of Continuing and Professional Education, University of Illinois Springfield

“PreK-12 AI guidance is only as good as the degree to which it positively impacts instruction in the classroom. What stands out about this partnership is that UIS and ION eLearning aren’t waiting to see how the policy-to-practice gap gets closed – they’re taking the lead on it, giving Illinois teachers a credentialed, classroom-ready way to put this guidance into practice right now. That’s the kind of leadership we think every state needs from its higher-ed partners, and we’re proud to help UIS deliver it.”

~ Vriti Saraf, Founder & CEO, Ed3

Courses are available for Professional Development Hours (PDHs) and Continuing Education Units (CEUs), with stackable micro-credential pathways that allow educators to build credentials over time and move from AI literacy to AI agency.

For more information or to enroll, visit https://www.uis.edu/cape/ed3-ai-training or contact ion@uis.edu.

About the University of Illinois Springfield

The University of Illinois Springfield is a public university and member of the University of Illinois System. Through its Center for Academic and Professional Education (CAPE) and ION eLearning program, UIS has provided professional development for educators in online teaching, online leadership, accessibility, and open education resources since 1999, serving education professionals across Illinois and beyond.

About Ed3

Ed3 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit preparing educators for the age of AI through professional learning, research and development, and a global community of practice. Its pedagogy-first approach to AI professional development helps educators use emerging technology to strengthen teaching and learning. Through university and professional learning partners, Ed3 has supported more than 20,000 educator enrollments across 48 states, representing more than 900,000 hours of professional development. Ed3 also leads The Portrait of a Teacher in the Age of AI, a national research and development initiative exploring how the role of the teacher must evolve in a world transformed by AI.

Media Contact

Everett Reiss, Ed3, press@ed3global.org, 646.926.2424

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/university-of-illinois-springfield-and-non-profit-ed3-global-partner-to-help-illinois-k-12-educators-put-ai-guidance-into-practice-302872604.html

SOURCE Ed3 Global