Key Takeaways:
- The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) has released a model policy to guide school districts on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in classrooms.
- The policy outlines expectations for ethical AI use, bans AI tools for bullying or harassment, and limits student use of AI to situations where teachers explicitly allow it.
- The policy requires schools to communicate with families about how AI is used in classrooms and the skills students need for future workplaces.
- The policy builds on the statewide AI Toolkit released in 2024 and is subject to revisions as AI continues to evolve.
- School districts and charter schools are required to adopt formal AI policies by July 1, tailored to their specific needs.
Introduction to AI Policy
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) has released a model policy to guide school districts on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in classrooms. According to Chris Woolard, DEW’s chief integration officer, the policy is just a starting point, and revisions are expected as AI continues to evolve. The policy does not contain many specifics, but rather serves as a guide that Ohio’s school districts and charter schools can use to form their own AI policies tailored to their specific needs.
Policy Expectations
The model policy outlines expectations for ethical AI use, emphasizing that AI implementation should be human-centered and empower students, educators, and communities. It states that AI is a tool to support learning and teaching, not a substitute for student effort or the role of the educator. The policy also bans AI tools for bullying or harassment and limits student use of AI to situations where teachers explicitly allow it. Additionally, users must follow the terms of service, including appropriate age limits. AI may be used for brainstorming or limited research, but it cannot be used to generate work that replaces student effort.
Procedures and Compliance
The policy requires districts to set procedures to investigate suspected misuse of AI, although it does not prescribe specific methods. It also states that no assignment shall require the use of a tool that cannot be provided by the district. Schools must communicate with families about how AI is used in classrooms and the skills students need for future workplaces. They must also warn parents about the risks of unsupervised AI use. The model policy requires compliance with federal privacy laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. The policy bans using AI for bullying, harassment, or intimidation, including creating harmful images of students or staff.
Background and Context
The model policy builds on the statewide AI Toolkit released in 2024, which was recently highlighted at a White House Artificial Intelligence Education Task Force meeting. Ohio officials shared details of the new policy at the meeting, showcasing the state’s efforts to address the use of AI in education. The policy is part of a broader effort to ensure that students are prepared for the changing workforce and that educators are equipped to effectively integrate AI into their teaching practices. The state has not established learning standards for AI at this point, but the model policy provides a foundation for schools to develop their own policies and guidelines.
Implementation and Next Steps
School districts and charter schools are required to adopt formal AI policies by July 1, tailored to their specific needs. The model policy provides a starting point for schools to develop their own policies, and DEW expects to continue to revise and update the policy as AI evolves. According to Woolard, the policy is a "quickly evolving space," and revisions will be necessary to ensure that the policy remains relevant and effective. As schools begin to implement their own AI policies, it will be important to monitor their effectiveness and make adjustments as needed to ensure that students are using AI in a responsible and ethical manner.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s model policy on AI use in classrooms provides a foundation for schools to develop their own policies and guidelines. The policy outlines expectations for ethical AI use, bans AI tools for bullying or harassment, and limits student use of AI to situations where teachers explicitly allow it. As AI continues to evolve, it is likely that the policy will undergo revisions to ensure that it remains relevant and effective. By providing a starting point for schools to develop their own policies, the model policy is an important step towards ensuring that students are prepared for the changing workforce and that educators are equipped to effectively integrate AI into their teaching practices.