South Washington County Schools sets rules for AI in classrooms

A framework for human oversight

South Washington County Schools has officially adopted ISD Policy 625 to govern the use of artificial intelligence within the district. The policy was designed to ensure that AI serves as a supplemental tool rather than a replacement for human reasoning or teacher instruction. According to the Cottage Grove Journal, the district wants to make sure technology is used safely and responsibly.

A core component of this framework is the H-AI-H model, which stands for human-AI-human. This means that a human provides the initial input, the AI performs a task based on mathematical formulas and pattern recognition, and a human takes ownership of the final result. The district emphasizes that because AI can produce confident but false outputs, known as hallucinations, human oversight is essential.

The policy clarifies that while the district authorizes AI use, it does not require any specific individual to use it. The goal is to provide a structured environment where students can learn to interact with these tools without sacrificing original thinking. By keeping the human in control of the outcome, the district aims to mitigate risks associated with automated decision-making.

Age-appropriate access levels

The district has segmented AI access based on the age and developmental stage of the students. For children in grades K through 3, use is highly restricted and focuses primarily on teacher-directed lessons about what AI is. This early exposure is intended to build foundational awareness without deep integration into daily assignments.

Students in grades 4 through 8 will move into a structured introduction to the technology. In these grades, the focus shifts toward guided use, following specific rules, and developing the skills to critically evaluate information generated by AI. This stage is designed to help older elementary and middle school students understand the limitations of the tools they are using.

High school students in grades 9 through 12 will be granted the broadest access to AI tools. These students will face increased expectations regarding transparency, accountability, and a deeper understanding of how AI models actually function. The district intends to incorporate AI literacy into general digital literacy instruction across all grade levels to ensure every student learns these skills.

Four tiers of classroom use

To give teachers flexibility, the policy outlines four distinct levels of acceptable AI use for assignments. Teachers determine which level is appropriate for each specific task based on the learning objectives. The first level is AI free, where students must complete all work independently without any assistance from automated systems.

The second level is AI Assisted, where students may use the tool to brainstorm or organize their ideas but must produce the actual work themselves. The third level, AI Enhanced, allows students to receive feedback on their writing or organization while they decide which specific suggestions to keep. This allows for a more collaborative experience between the student and the software.

The highest level is AI Empowered, which allows students to use AI-generated perspectives to expand their analysis or compare different ideas. Regardless of the level used, the policy requires students to acknowledge the use of AI whenever it is permitted. This ensures that students remain transparent about the tools they use to help them learn and create.

Privacy and vendor security

Data privacy is a primary concern for the district, especially regarding student information. The policy establishes a strict approval process for any AI vendor that wants to provide tools to the school system. This process includes a review of privacy protections, technical compatibility, and accessibility for all students.

The district maintains a clear stance on consumer tools that do not have formal agreements in place. If a tool does not have a specific contract with the district, the school assumes that any data entered into it is public. Vendors are required to disclose their data practices, including how they handle data deletion and how they report security breaches.

To ensure equitable access, the district is building on existing programs that provide devices and internet connectivity. They have identified economic status, disabilities, and language barriers as potential obstacles to fair AI access. The district aims to provide approved tools to all students to prevent a digital divide in how they learn and interact with technology.

Accountability and reporting

The policy includes a three-tier system to report and handle violations of the AI guidelines. These tiers are divided by the severity of the incident and the appropriate response required. Tier 1 covers minor issues like using an unapproved tool or missing an attribution, which are escalated to a principal or program lead.

Tier 2 addresses more serious concerns, such as significant academic integrity violations or the exposure of private data. These incidents are escalated to the assistant superintendent for review. Tier 3 is reserved for critical issues, including the distribution of deepfakes or AI-generated intimate imagery of minors, which may involve law enforcement.

Families will be notified of incidents based on their severity, with serious incidents reported as soon as possible. The District Technology Advisory Committee will also provide a way for community members to comment on these guidelines. The district plans to review data safeguards annually and update staff guidance as the technology continues to evolve.