AI Use Policy for K-12 Educators and Students

Taliaferro County Schools' draft AI policy pairs an educator code (no unvetted content, no high-stakes AI decisions, mandatory training and audits) with a student code that treats AI-as-your-work as academic dishonesty on a 3-strike discipline ladder.

Taliaferro County Schools — AI Use Policy (Draft, March 2024). Two companion policies: one for K-12 educators and one for K-12 students.

PART 1 — AI USE POLICY FOR K-12 EDUCATORS.

Introduction. Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn — understanding language, recognizing patterns, solving problems, and making decisions. In education, AI can support personalized learning, automate administrative tasks, and provide interactive learning experiences. As AI technologies evolve, clear guidelines are needed to leverage these tools effectively and ethically within K-12 schools.

Policy Statement. This policy outlines acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in the K-12 environment, aiming to harness AI's potential while safeguarding students' privacy, security, and well-being.

Inappropriate Uses of AI in Education. Violating Privacy and Data Security: AI must not collect, store, or analyze student data without explicit consent and a clear educational purpose, and must comply with FERPA, COPPA, and other data-protection laws. Bias and Discrimination: AI systems that perpetuate bias or disadvantage students by race, gender, socio-economic status, or ability are prohibited; tools must be scrutinized for fairness. Replacing Human Interaction: AI must not substitute for personalized, empathetic teacher–student interaction. High-Stakes Decision Making: AI must not be used without human oversight for decisions on academic progression, grading, or discipline; it supports, not replaces, educator judgment. Unvetted Educational Content: AI-generated instructional material must be vetted by educators for accuracy, relevance, and appropriateness. Unsupervised Use by Students: unsupervised student use, especially by younger children, is not acceptable; educators must guide and supervise AI interactions.

Implementation and Monitoring. Educators receive training on ethical AI use and integration into the curriculum. AI tools undergo a rigorous evaluation process before classroom approval. Regular audits assess compliance and the effectiveness and impact of AI in the learning environment. The policy is reviewed annually.

PART 2 — AI USE POLICY FOR STUDENTS.

Purpose. Outlines principles and rules governing student use of AI tools in the K-12 environment to ensure responsible, ethical, and effective engagement while protecting privacy and well-being.

Policy Scope. Applies to all AI technologies and platforms accessed or used by students on school premises, for school-related tasks, or through school-provided devices and networks.

Responsible AI Use. Educational Purpose: students may use AI only for educational purposes as directed by teachers or school authorities; submitting AI work as original student work is prohibited. Ethical Conduct: students must respect copyright, privacy, and intellectual property; AI must not be used for plagiarism, cheating, or dishonesty, and AI work must not be submitted in place of student work. Privacy and Data Protection: students must be cautious with AI tools that request personal information and must not share sensitive data without authorization or teacher guidance. Respectful Interaction: communication with or through AI (including chatbots and virtual assistants) must meet the same respect and decency standards as human interaction; abusive or disrespectful conduct is unacceptable. Safety and Security: students must not use AI to access or share harmful or inappropriate content and must report security breaches, suspicious activity, or inappropriate content to school authorities. Resource Responsibility: AI software, chatbots, and assistants must be used responsibly, not abused for ease of creating original content.

Monitoring and Compliance. The school monitors AI use in an ethical manner that respects student privacy. Violations may result in restricted AI access, educational interventions, or other disciplinary measures. Discipline ladder: 1st Offense — forfeiture of grade on assignments and a teacher conference; 2nd Offense — forfeiture of grade and a parent/teacher conference; 3rd Offense — forfeiture of grade and an administrator conference; all additional offenses handled by administration.

Review and Update. Reviewed and updated annually to reflect new developments in AI technology, legal and ethical standards, and evolving educational needs.

Conclusion. AI presents significant opportunities to enhance K-12 education but must be used with careful consideration of ethical, privacy, and educational standards.