IJNDBB - Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools

DUDLEY-CHARLTON REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

POLICY - IJNDBB

Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools

The District is committed to promoting AI fluency, protecting student and employee data, maintaining academic integrity, addressing issues of bias and access, and ensuring that the use of AI tools aligns with district priorities and applicable law.

This policy establishes general expectations for the use of AI tools in the District’s instructional and operational environments and directs the Superintendent to develop and maintain administrative guidelines to support implementation.

Definitions

• Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI refers to computer systems designed to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, including learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making. These systems may generate content, make predictions, analyze data, or adapt their outputs based on new information.
• Generative AI: Generative AI is a form of artificial intelligence capable of creating new content such as text, images, audio, video, or code in response to prompts or other inputs.
• AI Fluency: AI fluency refers to the ability to understand, evaluate, and appropriately use AI systems. It includes recognizing the capabilities and limitations of AI, critically assessing outputs for accuracy and bias, and applying sound judgment in the ethical, responsible, and effective use of AI tools in learning, work, and decision making.
• AI Generated Content:  AI generated content refers to any text, image, audio, video, code, or other media created in whole or in part through the use of generative AI tools.
• Approved Artificial Intelligence Tools: Approved AI tools are District software applications or platforms that have been reviewed and authorized for districtwide instructional, operational, or administrative use in accordance with District data privacy, security, and instructional standards.
• Consequential (High-Stakes) Decision: A consequential decision is one that materially affects a student’s or employee’s status, opportunities, or rights. This may include grading, scoring, assessment outcomes, course or program placement, promotion or retention, discipline, special education eligibility or services, and personnel decisions. AI may offer information in support of such decisions but shall not make them; final responsibility remains with the educator or appropriate district personnel.
• Personally Identifiable Information (PII): Personally identifiable information refers to information that can be used to identify, contact, or reasonably trace an individual either directly or indirectly.
• Data Privacy Agreement: A data privacy agreement is a written agreement, contract, memorandum of understanding, or legally binding set of terms between the District and a third-party provider of software, digital services, or artificial intelligence tools that governs the collection, access, storage, use, sharing, protection, retention, and deletion of District data and personally identifiable information.

Approval of AI Tools
AI tools proposed for districtwide use shall require prior approval by the Superintendent or designee.

Prior to approval, AI tools shall be reviewed by appropriate district personnel, which may include educators, instructional leadership, technology staff, student services personnel, and administration. Tools must comply with district policies, procedure, and regulations related to data privacy and security requirements and applicable federal and state laws governing student and employee data privacy.

Tools shall have a data privacy agreement specifying that District data and personally identifiable information will not be used to train, improve, or develop the provider's or any third party's AI models; will not be retained longer than necessary to provide the contracted service; and will not be sold, shared, or otherwise reused for any purpose beyond those expressly authorized by the District.

In evaluating district approved tools, the District will consider educational value, age appropriateness, alignment with curriculum and district goals, data privacy and security protections, potential bias and access considerations, cost and sustainability, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations and district policies.

The District will maintain a list of approved AI tools authorized for instructional and operational use.

The District recognizes that AI tools are widely accessible and may be encountered by students and staff outside of district approved platforms and systems. The District reserves the right to immediately restrict or prohibit the use of any AI tools that:

• Do not meet district policies, procedure, and regulations related to data privacy and security
• Present risks related to student or staff data security
• Contain content or features that are not age appropriate
• Demonstrate or present demonstrated risk of bias, misinformation, or unreliable outputs
• Are inconsistent with instructional goals or district priorities
• Create operational, legal, or financial concerns for the Dudley-Charlton RSD

District staff and students shall comply with all district restrictions or limitations related to AI tools and platforms.

Guiding Principles for the Use of AI
The District affirms the following guiding principles regarding artificial intelligence.

1. Human judgment remains central to education. AI should support but will not replace teachers, administrators, or students in the learning process.
2. Student learning must prioritize critical thinking, creativity, and independent mastery of knowledge and skills.
3. AI systems may contain inaccuracies, bias, or misinformation and must be evaluated critically.
4. The District will work to ensure that access to AI tools supports student learning and does not create barriers or disparities among students.
5. Transparency regarding the use of AI supports responsible digital citizenship and strengthens trust within the learning community.
6. AI should be used in ways that respect privacy, intellectual property, and the rights and dignity of others.

Guidelines for Student Use

1. Students may use AI tools only in accordance with teacher direction and District expectations.
2. Students may use approved AI tools to support learning activities such as research, idea generation, practice exercises, accessibility supports, or study aids when permitted by instructional staff.
3. Students must acknowledge or cite the use of AI tools when required by instructional staff. Examples may include identifying the use of AI within a bibliography, citation page, footnote, written acknowledgment, submission statement, prompt history, or other format established by the teacher or instructional staff member.
4. Students may use AI tools independently for support purposes such as organization, brainstorming, outlining, study guides, practice questions, research support, or skill development when permitted by instructional staff or when used as an accessibility support. AI tools shall be used to support learning and skill development and not as a substitute for original student thinking, analysis, creativity, or demonstrated understanding.
5. Students may not enter personal information, confidential information, or sensitive data into AI tools.
6. Student use of AI must comply with all district policies related to academic integrity, responsible technology use, and student conduct.

Parent Requests for Alternative Instruction
The District recognizes that parents and guardians may have questions regarding the use of artificial intelligence as part of classroom instruction. A parent or guardian who objects to their student's direct use of a District approved artificial intelligence tool as part of a specific teacher- designed instructional activity may submit a written request to the building principal for consideration of an alternative instructional activity.

The principal, in consultation with the classroom teacher, shall review the request and determine whether a reasonable alternative instructional activity may be provided that enables the student to demonstrate mastery of the same learning standards and instructional objectives. Alternative instructional activities shall not alter required curriculum, exempt a student from required coursework, assessments, or graduation requirements, or fundamentally change the instructional objectives of the lesson.

This provision applies only to instructional activities that explicitly require a student's direct use of an approved artificial intelligence tool. It does not apply to artificial intelligence used by District employees for instructional planning, assessment development, accessibility, communication, administrative functions, or other professional responsibilities, nor does it apply to artificial intelligence features embedded within District-approved software, educational platforms, productivity applications, accessibility tools, security systems, or other technologies used to support instruction or school operations.

Guidelines for Staff Use

1. Educators may use approved AI tools to support instructional planning, curriculum development, differentiation, accessibility, assessment preparation, communication, and professional productivity.
2. AI may be used to support educators but will not replace professional judgment, instructional design, or direct engagement with students or educator responsibility for instructional and high stakes decisions. Final decisions related to grading, scoring, assessment outcomes, student placement, discipline, special education determinations, recommendations, or other significant educational decisions shall remain the responsibility of the educator or appropriate district personnel.
3. Educators and district personnel may not enter student records, personally identifiable information, or confidential district data into AI tools unless the platform has been approved for districtwide use and complies with district privacy standards.
4. Educators should clearly communicate expectations regarding the appropriate use of artificial intelligence in their classrooms.
5. Educators and district personnel shall acknowledge the use of AI when such use materially contributes to instructional, evaluative, operational, or public facing work products.

Administrative and Operational Use

1. AI may be used to support administrative and operational functions such as drafting communications, supporting data analysis, assisting with planning activities, and developing initial drafts of documents.
2. All AI generated outputs used for official district purposes must be reviewed by district personnel prior to use.
3. District leadership will monitor the impact of AI tools on instructional practices, student learning, and district operations.

1. Using AI to complete assignments without permission from a teacher.
2. Submitting AI generated content as original work without proper acknowledgment.
3. Creating or distributing harmful, discriminatory, or inappropriate content.
4. Generating impersonations, deepfakes, or misleading representations of individuals.
5. Using AI to harass, bully, or intimidate others.
6. Entering confidential or personally identifiable information into unapproved systems.
7. Using AI in any way that violates district policies, student conduct rules, or applicable law.

Consequences for Violations
Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the student handbook, staff contracts, and applicable district policies.

Consequences may include restriction of access to AI tools, academic consequences, disciplinary action, or other appropriate responses depending on the nature of the violation.

Artificial Intelligence Implementation Guidelines
The Superintendent shall develop and maintain administrative guidelines to support the implementation of this policy.

These guidelines shall provide direction regarding:

1. Procedures for reviewing and approving AI tools
2. Expectations for staff and student use
3. Professional development related to AI fluency
4. Communication with students and families
5. Considerations related to bias and access
6. Processes for monitoring and evaluating the use of AI within the District

The Superintendent may revise these guidelines as needed to respond to evolving technology, instructional practices, and legal requirements.

Policy Review
Because AI technologies continue to evolve rapidly, this policy shall be reviewed annually to ensure that it remains current, effective, and aligned with educational best practices.

Legal References

• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
• Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71
• 603 CMR Student Records Regulations

School Committee Policy Cross References

• EDC – Social Networking
• IGA – Curriculum Evaluation, Development and Adoption
• IJ – Instructional Materials
• IJL – Library/Media Materials Selection, Adoption, and Reconsideration
• IJNA – School and District Web Pages
• IJNDB – Staff Responsible Use
• IJNDBA – Student Responsible Use
• JIC – Student Discipline
• JICFB – Bullying Prevention
• JIH – Student Search and Seizure
• JRA – Student Records
• JRA-R – Student Records