Report on Use of Artificial Intelligence in Public Schools (k-12)*

R1

By June 30, 2025, Orange County's K-12 schools should implement policies and guidelines regarding the appropriate use of AI. These may be provided at the district level or within individual schools through the adoption of an Acceptable Use Policy, Code of Ethics, or other written directives addressing the use of AI. The District has not yet implemented this recommendation but will implement this recommendation by June 30, 2025, with the following action plan: To ensure the responsible use of AI tools by students, teachers, and staff, we are revising our Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) to align with educational goals and comply with legal and ethical standards.. The first step will be to review the existing AUP to identify gaps and areas needing updates related to AI usage. Following this, we will research best practices and guidelines from reputable sources such as ISTE, Common Sense Education, and government regulations, ensuring that our updated AUP aligns with current standards. We will then assemble a working group that includes representatives from administration, teachers, IT staff, legal advisors, and AI experts to provide diverse perspectives in the policy revision process. A draft AUP will then be created addressing AI use across all relevant aspects, including ethical considerations, security, privacy, and prohibited uses. After completing the draft, we will engage in stakeholder consultations, gathering feedback from students, parents, teachers, and administrators to ensure the policy is practical and comprehensive. Finally, we will review and incorporate the feedback into the final policy draft, ensuring it meets the needs of all stakeholders.

R2

Superintendents should ensure that their schools have policies that cover, at a minimum: the scope, guiding principles, and training regarding the responsible use of AI tools by students and teachers; any prohibited uses of special considerations regarding AI tools; and related security, privacy, and safety considerations. The District has not yet implemented this recommendation but will implement this recommendation by June 30, 2025, with the following action plan: To ensure comprehensive policies are in place for the responsible use of AI tools by students and teachers, we will develop a framework that includes clear guidelines on scope, guiding principles, training, prohibited uses, and related security, privacy, and safety considerations. We will begin by defining the scope and guiding principles through the formation of a committee that includes administrators, AI experts, and legal advisors. This committee will produce a document outlining the scope of AI use in education and guiding principles that emphasize ethical and educational benefits. Next, we will develop training programs for students and teachers to ensure they understand how to use AI tools effectively and ethically, with deliverables including training modules and a schedule of sessions. We will also identify prohibited uses and special considerations by establishing a list of AI tools that are not allowed and guidelines for specific concerns unique to our school environment. To protect students and staff, we will implement policies and procedures addressing security, privacy, and safety, ensuring compliance with local and national regulations. Lastly, these policies will undergo review and approval by the school board and relevant authorities to secure official endorsement and support.

R3

K-12 students should be trained on the appropriate use of AI. The District has not yet implemented this recommendation but will implement this recommendation by June 30, 2025, with the following action plan: To ensure that K-12 students understand the responsible and effective use of AI tools, we will develop a comprehensive training program that emphasizes ethical considerations, potential benefits, and associated risks. This program will also work to ensure students under the age of 13 and those aged 13-17 without parental permission do not need an AI user account to complete any educational work. We will begin by forming a planning committee composed of educators, administrators, AI experts, and curriculum developers to guide this initiative. The committee will identify specific learning objectives for each grade level (K-6, 7-12) to ensure the training program is age-appropriate and covers essential topics. Based on these objectives, we will develop tailored curriculum materials, including lesson plans, interactive activities, and both digital and print resources. A pilot program will be implemented in select classrooms to gather initial feedback and make necessary adjustments before full rollout. Additionally, we will conduct training sessions for teachers and staff who will deliver AI training to students, ensuring they are well-prepared and confident. Finally, the program will be rolled out district-wide across all grade levels.