IJNDD - Artificial Intelligence Use

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Book: SCSD 1 Policy Manual - Operations

Section: Section I - Instruction

Title: Artificial Intelligence Use

Code: IJNDD

Status: Active

Adopted: July 16, 2025

Last Revised: May 20, 2025

Last Reviewed: July 16, 2025

Policy IJNDD- Artificial Intelligence Use

I. Purpose and Scope
This policy establishes the framework for the ethical, responsible, and effective use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our district, both for instructional and administrative purposes. It aims to ensure that AI supports the district’s educational mission by enhancing teaching, learning, and operations while maintaining a commitment to data privacy and academic integrity.

II. Definitions

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI): The use of computer systems that perform tasks requiring human-like intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation.
  • Generative AI: AI capable of producing content such as text, images, and media based on input data.
  • AI Literacy: The skills and knowledge necessary to understand and use AI technologies responsibly and effectively.

III. Ethical and Responsible Use of AI
The district is committed to ensuring that AI tools are used in ways that respect the rights of all students and staff while enhancing educational outcomes. AI should:

  1. Support Learning: AI is intended to enhance, not replace, teaching and learning. Educators are responsible for evaluating and incorporating AI in ways that improve instructional practices and curriculum development.
  2. Ensure Privacy and Security: The district will protect personal data used in AI systems by adhering to federal and state laws such as (Federal Education Rights & Privacy Act) FERPA and (Children’s Online Privacy & Protection Act) COPPA.

IV. Professional Development and AI Literacy for Teachers
Teachers are central to the successful implementation of AI technologies in the classroom. The district will:

  1. Training and Support: Provide ongoing training for teachers on how to integrate AI tools into their classrooms to enhance learning experiences. Teachers will be equipped to use AI in lesson planning, personalized instruction, and in identifying areas where students need additional support.
  2. Curriculum Development: Encourage educators to incorporate AI into curriculum design, fostering a forward-thinking approach that prepares students for the future. This includes leveraging AI to create innovative lesson plans, assessments, and differentiated instruction.
  3. Understanding Risks and Benefits: Teachers will be trained to understand the benefits of AI, such as increasing efficiency and personalized learning, as well as risks like bias, data misuse, and academic dishonesty.

V. Student Education on AI
Students must be prepared to use AI responsibly and ethically in both their academic and personal lives. To achieve this, the district will:

  1. AI Literacy for Students: Integrate AI literacy into the curriculum, teaching students how AI works, its potential benefits, and associated risks. This will include digital citizenship lessons that cover ethical AI usage, critical evaluation of AI outputs, and understanding of bias in AI systems.
  2. Empowering Students with AI Skills: Students will learn to engage with AI tools in ways that promote creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration while maintaining responsibility for their own learning and work.
  3. Academic Integrity: The district will clearly define how AI tools can be used in academic settings, ensuring that students understand when AI use is acceptable and when it may violate academic integrity policies (see section VIII).

VI. Data Privacy and Security
All AI systems used in the district must comply with relevant privacy laws. The district will:

  1. Data Minimization: Limit the data collected by AI tools to what is necessary for their educational purpose.
  2. Secure Data Handling: Ensure that all student and staff data used by AI systems is securely stored and protected against unauthorized access.
  3. Third-Party Vendor Requirements: Vendors providing AI tools to the district must meet stringent privacy and security standards, including clear data usage agreements

VII. Academic Integrity and AI Use
The district is committed to maintaining high standards of academic integrity while integrating AI into the learning process. Students must use AI tools responsibly and in accordance with the district’s academic policies. The following guidelines establish when AI use is acceptable and when it may violate academic integrity:

  1. Acceptable Uses of AI in Academic Settings:
    • Brainstorming and Idea Generation: Students may use AI tools to brainstorm ideas, gather preliminary information, or seek inspiration for assignments.
    • Proofreading and Editing: AI tools may assist students with grammar and spelling checks, as long as the content remains the student’s original work.
    • Data Analysis and Research Assistance: AI tools can be used to help analyze data sets, perform calculations, or assist in finding relevant resources, provided that students attribute any AI-generated insights or content.
    • Learning Support: AI may be used as a study aid, such as generating practice questions or explaining complex concepts, but students must use these tools to enhance their learning, not replace their own understanding.
  2. Unacceptable Uses of AI (Violations of Academic Integrity):
    • Cheating: Submitting AI-generated content as one’s own work without proper attribution is considered cheating. This includes using AI to write essays, reports, or other academic submissions without acknowledgment.
    • Misrepresentation of Effort: Using AI to complete assignments, projects, or assessments intended to reflect a student’s individual knowledge, skills, or effort is a violation of academic integrity.
    • Unauthorized Use: Students must follow specific guidelines for when AI is permissible for assignments. If a teacher specifies that AI tools are not allowed for a particular task or exam, using AI in those contexts will be considered cheating.
    • Failure to Cite AI Use: If students use AI to assist in their academic work, they must clearly document and disclose their use of AI. This includes providing proper citations and explanations of how AI was used.
  3. Disclosure Requirements:
    Students are required to provide full disclosure of any AI tools used in the completion of their assignments. This includes:
    • Describing how AI tools were utilized (e.g., for brainstorming, research assistance, or proofreading).
    • Including any AI-generated content or data with citations and references, as appropriate.
  4. Teacher Guidance on AI Use:
    Teachers will provide clear instructions on the appropriate use of AI tools for each assignment. Students are expected to follow these guidelines carefully and ask for clarification when needed.
  5. Consequences for Violations:
    Students who violate the district’s academic integrity policies by misusing AI tools will face disciplinary actions as outlined in each school’s student handbook. This may include grade penalties, required re-submissions, or other disciplinary measures depending on the severity of the violation.

IX. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Policy Review
AI technologies will be regularly assessed to ensure they continue to meet the district's educational and operational goals. The district will:

  1. Ongoing Evaluation: Monitor AI tools for effectiveness, equity, and compliance with ethical standards.
  2. Annual Policy Review: Review this policy annually to ensure it remains relevant and up to date with new AI developments and legal requirements.