This module shifts the focus from reactive "tool-banning" to proactive, mission-aligned leadership. You will learn to distinguish between a rigid rule sheet and a durable guiding framework that supports educational goals while protecting academic integrity. By the end of this session, you will have drafted a core purpose statement that anchors your AI policy in your school’s unique values and local priorities.
This module addresses the critical intersection of AI technology and institutional responsibility, focusing on protecting sensitive student data and ensuring ethical practice. Participants will identify high-risk data types that must never be entered into unvetted AI tools to maintain compliance with federal and state privacy laws. Additionally, leaders will explore how to establish guardrails that mitigate algorithmic bias and promote equity across all classrooms.
This module explores why school AI policy is inseparable from institutional infrastructure, highlighting that a policy is only meaningful if the systems to support it exist in practice. Leaders will compare the risks of unmanaged "Shadow AI" against the security of vetted platforms while addressing how access gaps can deepen the digital divide. Finally, participants will initiate a readiness audit by reviewing district-approved tools and identifying equity barriers within their current technical landscape.
This module examines the current reality of student AI adoption, highlighting that over half of U.S. teens are already using chatbots for schoolwork. Participants will distinguish between helpful support behaviors, like brainstorming and concept explanation, and problematic shortcuts that can erode academic integrity. Finally, the module challenges school leaders to move beyond silence and address the "policy vacuum" that currently leaves students and teachers guessing about acceptable boundaries.
This module explains why strict "No AI" policies often fail in practice, emphasizing the gap between rules on paper and real-world enforceability above middle school grade levels. Leaders will explore the documented unreliability of AI detection tools and the unintended consequences of prohibition, such as increased student secrecy and inequitable disciplinary impacts. By the end of this session, participants will be prepared to transition from blanket bans to a sustainable, guidance-based framework that defines clear expectations for transparency and integrity.
This module examines the strategic shift from unmanaged public AI access to school-supported, managed environments. Participants will explore the "Wild West" risks of unvetted tools and the operational benefits of providing students with age-appropriate, school-governed Large Language Models (LLMs). By evaluating the trade-offs between prohibition and intentional deployment, leaders will learn how to gain visibility into student usage while establishing a realistic foundation for academic integrity.
This module moves beyond "one-size-fits-all" AI rules to explore how developmental differences and disciplinary goals must shape school expectations. Leaders will learn to implement a shared, three-level sliding scale that distinguishes between prohibited, limited, and open AI use based on the specific purpose of an assignment. By anchoring flexible classroom applications in stable school-wide values, participants will create a framework that is both fair and educationally sound
Integrity, Digital Citizenship, and Learning Impact in the AI Era
This module bridges the gap between ethical expectations and instructional design. You will explore how to redefine academic integrity as a teachable digital citizenship skill through honest disclosure and reflection. Simultaneously, you will analyze the shift in student cognitive load and workload, learning to redesign assignments so that AI augments student thinking rather than bypassing the learning process entirely.
This module transforms your AI policy from a standalone document into a coherent part of your school’s ecosystem. You will learn to bridge the gap between new technology realities and the existing policies your community already knows, such as academic integrity and acceptable use. Simultaneously, you will develop a communication plan that moves past legalistic jargon to build trust with students and families through radical transparency and plain-language guidance.
This final module serves as the synthesis of every decision made throughout the course, transforming your reflections into a usable, high-level AI policy framework. You will move from theory to a structured first draft that reflects your school's unique values, instructional goals, and safety guardrails. By the end of this session, you will recognize AI policy not as a static monument, but as a living document designed to evolve alongside technology and school needs.
