NOTICE OF INTENDED ACTION
The Board of Directors of the Mount Pleasant Community School District will take action on the following policies at its next regular board meeting.
| Policy 605.08: Artificial Intelligence in the Educational Environment | Status: ADOPTED |
| Original Adopted Date: 12/19/2023 | Last Reviewed Date: 12/19/2023 |
Purpose:
The district recognizes the potential that Generative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI) offers in enhancing educational opportunities, streamlining operations and preparing students for a future that demands adaptability, critical thinking and digital literacy. When incorporated and used in a responsible and ethical manner, Generative AI can support a dynamic working and learning experience.
This policy addresses guidelines for the proper management and responsible use of Generative AI in the district’s educational environment.
Authority:
The Board directs that the use of Generative AI in the educational environment shall be limited to approved educational purposes and shall comply with applicable state and federal laws, regulations, Board policies, administrative regulations and school rules including, but not limited to, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), as well as Board policies related to acceptable use of computers and network resources, student and staff conduct, copyright protections, student records, personnel records, bullying and cyberbullying, nondiscrimination and harassment, data security and staff and student expression.
The availability of access to Generative AI tools and resources by students and staff does not imply endorsement by the district of the Generative AI tool or resource, nor does the district guarantee the accuracy of the information received from Generative AI tools or resources. The district shall not be responsible for any information that may be lost, damaged or unavailable when using a Generative AI tool or resource.
The district shall not be responsible for the dissemination, replication or alteration of information or data input by any student or staff into any Generative AI tool or resource. Nothing in this policy is intended to limit the district’s obligations under applicable law or regulations.
The district shall not be responsible for any unauthorized charges or fees resulting from access or use of Generative AI tools or resources.
Delegation of Responsibility
The district will make effort to ensure that Generative AI tools and resources are used responsibly by students and staff. The effective integration of Generative AI into education requires a collaborative effort between administration, teachers, staff, students and families.
AI tools will be vetted by relevant stakeholders including, but not limited to the district’s IT staff and, when related to student learning or assessment, by the Curriculum Director. Decisions to use AI tools should be focused on:
- Protection of students: Any AI tools used in the district must comply with the requirements to safeguard students from accessing material that is obscene, child pornography and harmful to minors.
- Privacy: Personally identifiable information of students will not be shared without necessary written consents. Further, any AI tools utilized must meet the requirements of the School Official exemption listed in FERPA, and described in policy 712.
- Accessibility: Is the tool available to students of all abilities? If not, what comparable alternatives will be offered to ensure an equitable learning environment for all students?
- Accuracy: To the extent reasonable, the AI tool should be both reliable and unbiased in its pattern recognition, and data used by the tool should be verified for accuracy.
- Transparent and Interruptible: Student use of AI tools must be able to be monitored by licensed staff to safeguard the appropriateness of the learning experience for the student and monitor for accuracy of the AI tool.
Guidelines
Staff – The district will provide staff with professional development opportunities addressing the effective and safe integration of Generative AI to enhance teaching and learning.
Beyond formal professional development opportunities, the district encourages staff to explore Generative AI to discover lesson plan ideas, create templates or assessments and to generate ideas for the personalization of student learning. Generative AI tools and resources shall be used in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and this Board policy.
Students –The district will make available grade-appropriate training for students, which may include, but not be limited to:
- Establishment of expectations regarding the ethical use of Generative AI.
- The capabilities and limitations of Generative AI.
- Critical analysis of content produced by Generative AI.
- How to disclose use and cite Generative AI resources.
- The importance of not disclosing personally identifiable information when using a Generative AI tool or resource.
Ethical Considerations
The district’s technology protection measures shall be enforced during use of Generative AI on district computers and network resources.
The district prohibits the use of Generative AI in making decisions regarding employee recruitment, hiring, retention, promotion, transfer, evaluation, demotion or dismissal.
The district prohibits the use of Generative AI in making final determinations on student assessments and evaluations.
Academic Integrity – The use of Generative AI by students to complete assignments or assessments is allowed only to the extent stated and outlined by the teacher for the individual assignment or course.
Teachers shall outline use of Generative AI tools and resources in their required lesson plans.
A Generative AI resource shall be cited when the system’s generated content is quoted, paraphrased or otherwise used in the student’s work. Lack of citation to AI generated work improperly implies that the work is entirely that of the student.
Copyright – Individuals using Generative AI tools and resources must comply with federal law and Board policy regarding the duplication or use of copyrighted materials.
AI-Generated Content Verification
Individuals using Generative AI tools and resources have a responsibility to apply proper oversight and evaluation of generated information. Generative AI tools will not be the sole determining factor used to make decisions related to student learning, assessment, academic integrity or conduct. Staff and students should critically evaluate content produced by Generative AI for potential biases or inaccuracies and understand the importance of cross-referencing with trusted resources.
Inappropriate Use
Students who use any Generative AI systems without teacher approval AND proper citation are subject to consequences that fall under the academic dishonesty policy.
This policy prohibits the creation, distribution, and posting of A.I.-generated impersonations (deepfakes and voice cloning) of students or employees within the school district by any student or employee of the District, to include digitally altered images or lewd or sexually explicit content or imagery intended to depict, portray, or imitate the likeness of a student or employee of the District.
Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension/expulsion, as deemed appropriate by the district administration or Bullying/Harassment policy. Referrals may also be made to law enforcement where appropriate or required by law.
This policy also applies to student conduct that occurs off school property or during non-school hours to the same extent as provided in Board policy on student discipline.
Students and staff must immediately report any violations or suspicious activity to the building principal or designee.
Users of Generative AI are responsible for damages to the equipment, systems, platforms and software resulting from deliberate, malicious or willful acts.
Illegal use of Generative AI; intentional modification without permission or damage to files or data belonging to others; copyright violations; and theft of services shall be reported to the appropriate legal authorities for possible prosecution.
Legal References:
16 C.F.R. 312
34 C.F.R. pt. 99
47 C.F.R 54.520
Iowa Code § 279.8
| I.C. Iowa Code | Description |
| Iowa Code § 279.8 | Directors – General Rules – Bonds of Employees |
| C.F.R. – Code of Federal Regulations | Description |
| 16 C.F.R. 312 | Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule |
| 34 C.F.R. Pt. 99 | Education – Family Rights and Privacy |
| 47 C.F.R. 54.520 | Communications – Children’s Internet Protection Act |
Cross References
Written comments may be sent to Superintendent John Henriksen, 400 East Madison Street, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa 52641.