Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence (AI): technology designed to mimic human intelligence, such as analyzing data, recognizing patterns, and making decisions.

Generative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI): an advanced subset of AI that is capable of generating new content from learned data and pattern recognition across various mediums such as text, code, images, audio, and video data. 

• All students deserve access to quality education.
• It is critical to know our why and name what matters before we incorporate technology.
• AI can support student achievement by providing scaffolding and adaptations to meet individual student needs.
• AI can support equity by providing teacher assistance (allowing more time for meaningful face-to-face interactions).
• Students implementation of AI tools and skills will better prepare them for the future.

The Colonial School District will be rolling out Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools now through the 2025-2026 school year. Currently, AI is limited for teacher use only. However, as the District develops and implements AI in the classroom and for student use, it will be using the following guidelines at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. 

Plymouth Whitemarsh High School 

Impact on Learning: 

• Graduates of the Colonial School District are life-long learners who take ownership of their learning and who can adapt to an ever-changing environment.  Further, students think critically, empathetically, and ethically.  
• AI can be a powerful tool for personalized learning, providing students with tailored instruction and feedback in developing these skills and dispositions. 
• AI can also be used for complex problem-solving, data analysis, and creative expression to further students’ development and growth. 

Position on Student Usage: 

• Generative AI tools should be used ethically and in alignment with district values and policies, curriculum goals, and privacy guidelines.
  • Students should engage in AI tools under the guidance and direction of their teachers. 
  • Students should critically evaluate the output of AI tools and use them for idea generation, editing, or drafting, not as the final source of truth or knowledge.
  • Students should refer to the Colonial School District's Generative AI Scale for Acceptable Use to clearly understand the teacher’s expectations for use in the classroom. If a teacher does not clearly communicate the expectation, students should assume that AI is not an acceptable tool for the assignment or activity. 
• Students should adjust practices in order to meet the ever changing landscape of generative AI technologie, as outlined by their teachers and school policies.

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Colonial Middle School 

Impact on Learning: 

• AI can be used with middle school students to explore and build thinking, problem-solving, and creative skills by providing extra support in subjects where they may need it. 
• Through supervised use, AI can offer engaging and personalized learning experiences that help students grow and develop confidence in their abilities.  

Position on Student Usage: 

• Middle school students should use AI tools under careful supervision, with specific safety measures and guardrails in place to ensure responsible use. 
• Educators will have the opportunity to guide students in understanding how AI works, including its strengths as well as its limitations—including its inconsistencies and biases. 
• Students will learn to think critically about AI-generated content, recognizing that AI can sometimes contain inaccuracies and/or reflect certain biases.  
• Students will be taught to use AI tools responsibly and ethically, understanding that while AI can assist with learning, their own ideas and efforts are most important in developing knowledge and skills.

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Elementary School

Impact on Learning:

• AI can be used by educators to make learning more engaging and interactive for elementary school students.
• It can also provide opportunities for students to develop basic computer skills and computational thinking.

Position on Student Usage:

• Elementary school students should be introduced to AI in a playful and exploratory way.
• Educators should focus on introducing students to the basics of AI and how it can be used to solve problems.
• AI tools should be used by educators to enhance learning, not replace traditional teaching methods.

Colonial School District's Generative AI Scale for Acceptable Use

The Colonial School District will be rolling out Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools now through the 2025-2026 school year. Currently, AI is limited for teacher use only. In the future, the level of AI usage by students on a particular project will be communicated by the teacher using the following guidelines. 

 Red: No AI Usage

• Work must be completed without any AI assistance of any kind
• Students must rely entirely on their own knowledge, ideas, and skills
• Any AI use is a violation of the academic integrity policy

 Yellow: AI Assisted

• AI can be used for tasks such as brainstorming, planning, and feedback
• No AI content is allowed in the final submission
• Any content presented in the final submission is in violation of the academic integrity policy

 Green: AI Enhanced

• AI can be used to enhance your knowledge, efficiency, and creativity & will be specified by the teacher
• Students must provide human oversight and evaluation of AI generated content
• Students is responsible for the accuracy and fairness of the AI generated content
• Explanation of AI usage in assignment may be required by the teacher

 Blue: AI Empowered

• Full integration of AI is acceptable as the “co-pilot” with the student
• Student must provide human oversight and evaluation of AI generated content
• Student is responsible for the accuracy and fairness of the AI generated content
• Explanation of AI usage in the assignment may be required by the teacher

Click here for the full content of School Board Policy 815.1, Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Education. 

Policy Highlights

• Teachers are encouraged to use AI tools for professional development: Explore how AI can help with lesson planning, creating resources (like templates and assessments), and finding ways to personalize learning for each student.
• Student use of AI for schoolwork is teacher-directed: Students can only use AI for assignments when their teacher specifically allows it and clearly explains how they can use it.
• Transparency is key: Teachers must clearly communicate to students how AI tools can be used (or not used) in their class, following the school's acceptable use policy.  
• Ethical AI use is essential: Teachers should emphasize the responsible and ethical use of AI tools with their students.
• AI cannot replace human judgment: AI cannot be the sole factor in determining a student's grade or evaluation.
• Student privacy is paramount: Teacher should never enter any student's personal information (like their name or school ID) into any AI tool.
• Concerns should be reported: If any issues or concerns arise regarding the use of AI in the classroom, teachers should report them to their school principal.