Generative AI Policy

     With the rise of AI machines capable of advanced responses, policies must be made regarding the use of AI-generated content. AI-generated content must be controlled because of the potential harm to student learning, proven by the potential of AI machines to create student responses to assignments. Students using AI to complete entire responses is harmful because the student cannot prove they comprehend the topic of the assignment and it wastes time for teachers since they are not grading their students’ work, they are grading the work of a machine. On the contrary, AI tools cannot be outright banned because they can be used as strategic tools for understanding documents, summarizing data, proofreading, and more. Therefore, to best outline in what ways students and teachers can use AI, a guideline must be established. 

     This policy outlines the guidelines for how students, teachers, and staff may or may not use generative AI tools inside and outside the classroom regarding any assignment, research project, lesson plan, or other content at Leafville High School.

For the purposes of this policy, the generative AI tools that apply range from the following:

• AI-assisted proofreading/editing tools, such as autocorrection (example: Grammarly)
• AI tools that are capable of generating comprehensive responses to prompts given by the user using vast databases (example: ChatGPT, Apple’s Siri, Microsoft Copilot)
• AI tools that are capable of generating comprehensive images in response to prompts given by the user using vast databases (example: DALL·E 2)
• AI tools that are capable of interpreting files like .pdf files and generating comprehensive responses (example: ChatPDF)
  • This list may be updated as new AI-generated tools arise. Please see the acting superintendent for an updated list if not given. Last update: 4/23/24. 

For this policy, these are key terms that will be mentioned throughout:

• Plagiarism: The act of taking words or ideas from someone or something else and using them as if they were your own. Example: copying and pasting sentences from a peer, online source, or generative AI machine. 
• Bias: Prejudice or favor of one idea, thing, person, or group.
• Academic Integrity: A student’s commitment to be honest that their answers are their own, being respectful of their assignments and teachers, and being fair in their assignments. 
• Academic Honesty: A student’s commitment to completing assignments without lying, cheating, or plagiarizing.

Students can maintain academic honesty while utilizing generative AI tools. Besides maintaining academic honesty, when AI tools are used and cited, they must be properly credited to maintain proper ethics. Just like an author, the AI tool is the one that comes up with its answers and should be cited accordingly. 

There must be acknowledgment of the fact that not every AI tool is equally accessible and free of bias. Some AI tools are behind paywalls while others are free to use. Every AI tool has a specific database that it uses to generate the answers to a prompt. Therefore, the bias of the AI tool is dependent on the biases of the database it draws from, whether or not it is purposeful. 

When using AI tools, the privacy and security of the user–student, faculty, or staff–cannot be guaranteed by Leafville High School. Often, the prompts and data you enter into the machine are stored for future use. Please inform yourself of the AI tool you are using to ensure your privacy and security. 

Students, instructors, faculty, and staff may use generative AI tools to:

• Generate brainstorms or outlines for assignments, given they input their own data into the machine. 
• Find synonyms or find inspiration to reword a sentence or phrase. 
• Generate explanations of lines of code. 
• Generate images for inspiration. 

Students, instructors, faculty, and staff may NOT use generative AI tools to:

• Generate entire assignments (essays, short answers, citations, etc.)
• Reword a sentence and use the AI tool’s rewording; the user must use the rewording as inspiration to write something of their own. 
• Generate lines of code for them and use that code on their assignment. 
• Generate an image for them to use on their assignment directly, unless properly cited. 

AI-generated work can be shared between students and instructors/faculty/staff in the following ways:

• The student properly credits the AI tool for everything it generated. 
• The instructor offers AI tools that are equally accessible to students 

The responsibilities of students regarding generative AI tools include citing AI sources correctly, using AI tools in an academic and respectful manner when pertaining to school work and assignments, and providing full disclosure of where AI tools are used. If used properly, there should be no shame in using AI tools unless the instructor prohibits it. All use of AI should follow other Leafville High School guidelines and rules. 

Faculty, staff, and instructors have responsibilities as well. These include making sure all AI tools used are accessible, safe, and educational for students. They must also be wary of their students’ privacy and internet safety when selecting AI tools to use in their curriculum. When using AI tools in their curriculum, they must use these for educational and professional purposes and must be willing to collaborate with their peers about the tools they are using. 

Administrators have the responsibility of keeping up to date on the technologies so that they are able to keep updating the policy of AI usage as seen fit. They are also to monitor the uses of AI in both students and faculty, staff, and instructors. They are also the ones who must be responsible for monitoring any legalities of new AI tools and integrating those into the policy as needed. When deciding whether a violation occurred, administrators must remain unbiased between cases as well as the decisions of other administrators.

Monitoring Use:

• Instructors are responsible for monitoring their students’ use of AI and ensuring they are following policy
• Administrators are responsible for monitoring instructors’ use of AI and ensuring they are following policy
• Students may bring any concerns about the use of AI by either their peers or their instructors to an administrative member
• Faculty, staff, and instructors may bring any concerns about the use of AI by either their peers or students to an administrative member

Handling Violations:

• Upon a report of a violation is brought to an administrative member, an investigation will begin first. This includes searching relevant internet histories using this AI tool, analyzing the context of the use or assignment, and gathering any other facts of the case. 
• If a student, faculty member, staff member, or instructor is found guilty of violating this policy, appropriate consequences will be faced on the severity of the violation. This may include requiring the violator to take a course on responsible AI usage, recompletion of the assignment, detention, or temporary and permanent bans from AI usage in Leafville High School. The consequence will be set as seen fit by the administrator handling the violation case. 
• Students, faculty members, staff members, and instructors found guilty may appeal their case by filling out an appeal form and providing evidence of their innocence. This appeal will be sent to a different administrator to be evaluated and handled. If the appeal is suspected of bias, the accused may bring their appeal to the principal. After the first appeal, or after the principal investigates for bias, the case is closed and cannot be appealed again. This is to prevent repeated appeals to avoid the punishment. 

• Faculty, staff, instructors, and administrators are required to attend an annual training session on AI tools before the start of every school year. This allows them to receive fair and equal training on what AI tools are out there, how to use them, and how to go about following the policy with them. 
• This policy will be made available at any time, either physically in the main office or online on our website. 
• For any questions or issues with AI tools, users are suggested to visit our technology curriculum instructor.
  • As of the 2023-2024 school year, this is Mr. John Doe. Please see him in his classroom, Room 45 in the east hallway, or send him an email (john.doe@leafvilleschools.org) with any issues or questions.

This policy is reviewed and updated between school years, between May and August. The finished, updated policy will be posted two weeks before the beginning of the next school year. This gives ample time for students, faculty, staff, and instructors to read the policy before coming to school. This also allows the policy to be finished in time before the annual training session for faculty, staff, instructors, and administrators. 

Questions, comments, or concerns? You may email the current principal, Mr. James Bond (james.bond@leafvilleschools.org), OR fill out an anonymous tip or concern at the following link: https://forms.gle/yggLchnxyiV2m3TE8. PLEASE NOTE: if you send an anonymous question, you cannot receive a response as there is no way of knowing who sent the message.