Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage Plan

Our Vision for AI in Education

The Ladue School District is committed to preparing our students for a future where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transformative. We believe that by teaching students and staff to use AI responsibly and ethically, we can enhance learning, foster critical thinking, and equip our community with the skills needed to thrive. This document provides a clear framework for all students, teachers, and staff. It represents our first public iteration of detailed guidelines, which we will maintain as a fluid document that will be updated annually to keep pace with evolving technology.

What is AI?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science that builds smart machines capable of performing tasks that usually require human intelligence. You encounter AI in everyday tools like movie recommendations and text autocorrect. Key concepts include:

Machine learning (ML) is the technique that allows machines to learn autonomously from data.
Generative AI: A type of AI that can create new content like text, images, and music.
Large Language Models (LLMs): Machine learning models that can understand, predict, and generate human language.

Guiding Principles

AI tools can be valuable in supporting the learning process, but they are most effective when used by individuals who are developing their own skills. The most effective use of AI is as a tool to enhance and streamline learning while maintaining the writer’s unique voice and ideas.

AI as a Writing Assistant, Not a Replacement

While AI-generated templates and suggestions can speed up student work, students should prioritize developing their own skills before relying on AI. The learning process is not just about producing words—it is about thinking, organizing, and expressing ideas clearly. Using AI too early in this learning process can hinder critical thinking, quality writing, and personal growth.

Ownership of Writing

If AI generates the content, even if the student agrees with the ideas, it is not truly their writing. Learning to communicate effectively in one’s own words is a fundamental skill that must be developed before integrating AI assistance. Students must learn to craft their own thoughts before refining them with AI tools.

AI and Academic Integrity

Our school maintains a clear policy regarding AI use in writing assignments:

AI-generated content is considered plagiarism unless explicitly permitted by the assignment.
Any allowed use of AI will be clearly stated in the assignment guidelines.
Students must be transparent about when and how they use AI in their work by including a citation for their AI use and a disclaimer statement.

Best Practices for Using AI Responsibly

Use AI to refine, not replace. AI can help structure ideas or improve clarity, but should not generate full responses.
Maintain your voice. Ensure that any AI-generated content still sounds like you and represents your own ideas.
Ask before using. If you are unsure whether AI is allowed for a particular assignment, check with your teacher.
Develop skills first. Mastering writing independently will make AI a more effective tool when used later.
Protect Privacy & Security: Safeguarding student and staff data is a top priority. Personally identifiable information must not be entered into consumer-based or unapproved AI tools without district approval.
Maintain Equity: All students must have equitable access to AI tools and opportunities if they are permitted for an assignment.

AI in the Classroom: Roles & Responsibilities

The most effective use of AI is as a tool to enhance and streamline learning while maintaining the learner’s unique voice and ideas. Learning is not just about producing content—it is about thinking, organizing, and expressing ideas clearly. Using AI too early in this learning process can hinder personal growth.

Student Guidance: Best Practices

Develop Your Skills First: Master writing and thinking independently to make AI a more effective tool later. Learn to craft your own thoughts before using AI to refine them.
Use AI to Refine, Not Replace: Use AI to help structure ideas or improve clarity, but do not let it generate your full response.
Maintain Your Voice: Ensure any AI-assisted work truly represents your unique ideas and sounds like you.
Ask Before Using: If you are unsure whether AI is allowed on an assignment, always check with your teacher.
Be Honest and Cite Your Tools: You must always disclose when and how you have used AI in your work.
Check for Accuracy: AI can be inaccurate or biased. Always verify AI-generated information with credible sources.

Teacher Guidance: Fostering a Responsible AI-Ready Classroom

Provide Clear Guidance: Teachers will provide clear instructions on when and how AI may be used for specific assignments.
Promote Skill Development: Design assignments that emphasize critical thinking and personal experiences to foster skills that AI cannot replicate.
Enhance Instruction: Teachers can use approved AI tools to differentiate lessons, design assessments, create instructional resources, and streamline communications.
Maintain Agency: While AI can assist with tasks like grading, teachers remain the final authority and are responsible for all assessments and feedback.
Educate on Bias: Staff and students will be educated on the inherent biases in AI systems and the importance of human oversight to validate AI outputs.

Approved & Prohibited Uses of AI

Approved Tools

Users must complete an onboarding experience with AI literacy resources before use. The district has approved specific AI tools for student and teacher use. The use of any non-approved AI tool is prohibited.

The following tools have been approved for use in our district:

For Students & Teachers: Google for Education Gemini (K-12 students), NotebookLM (grades 3-12), and Canva are approved resources.
For Teachers: Brisk Teaching, Turnitin, and ZeroGPT are approved teacher resources. Teachers also have access to additional features within Gemini in Google Classroom.
Other: Magic School AI is approved for grades 6-12, and Apple Intelligence's "Math Notes" feature is available on all student and teacher iPads.

Prohibited Uses

The following actions are strictly prohibited:

Plagiarism: Presenting AI-generated content as your own original work.
Harmful Content: Creating false or malicious content, including "deepfakes," or using AI to bully, harass, or harm others.
Data Privacy Violations: Inputting confidential or personally identifiable information into unapproved AI tools without district approval.
Infringing on Privacy: Using AI to monitor classrooms, track individuals, or analyze interactions, as it infringes on privacy rights.

Academic Integrity & Disciplinary Actions

The Ladue School District is committed to upholding academic integrity. Misrepresenting AI work as your own is a violation of this trust.

Investigation Process

Detection: Staff who suspect AI misuse will document their concerns. The work may be checked using school-approved detection tools like Brisk, Turnitin, and ZeroGPT.
Meeting: The teacher will meet with the student to discuss the concerns. The student will have an opportunity to provide evidence of their original work process, such as drafts or notes.
Review: If concerns remain, the case will be referred to a grade-level administrator who will review all evidence and statements.

Violating the AI Usage Plan will result in disciplinary action in accordance with district policies.

Step-by-Step Investigation Process

Step 1: Initial Detection and Documentation

Teachers or staff members who suspect the misuse of AI in student work should document their concerns, including specific elements that suggest AI generation (e.g., patterns in writing style, lack of original voice, or factual inconsistencies).
The assignment in question will be submitted to one or more of the school's approved AI detection tools: Brisk, Turnitin, and ZeroGPT.
If the detection tools indicate a high probability of AI involvement, a report will be generated and attached to the case file.

Step 2: Notification and Preliminary Meeting

The teacher will notify the student of the suspicion and schedule a meeting to discuss the concerns.
The student will have the opportunity to explain their process and provide supporting evidence of original work, such as notes, drafts, or brainstorming materials.
The AI detection reports will be presented to the student during this meeting.

Step 3: Review and Decision-Making

If the student's explanation does not sufficiently clarify the concerns and the detection tools provide strong evidence of AI misuse, the case will be referred to the appropriate grade-level administrator.
The administrator will review all evidence, including the AI detection reports, teacher documentation, and the student's statements.

Professional Development & AI Literacy Resources

To support the successful and ethical integration of AI, the Ladue School District is committed to providing robust professional development for staff and comprehensive AI literacy education for all members of the school community.

Professional Development for Teachers

We offer ongoing training, workshops, and resources to help teachers learn about AI and integrate it responsibly and effectively into their instruction.

AI Literacy for All

We believe that responsible AI use starts with a strong foundation in digital citizenship. Our curriculum is designed to teach all students and staff how to use AI ethically and effectively.

Key Resources & Partners:

Google: We use Google's "Teaching responsible use of AI" lesson plans and materials. These lessons help students understand what AI is, how it works, and how to use it ethically, covering topics like checking for bias, protecting privacy, and maintaining academic integrity.
Common Sense Media: The district utilizes AI literacy lessons from Common Sense Media, a trusted resource in digital citizenship, specifically for grades 6-12.
Code.org: We also draw on resources from Code.org to support our AI literacy curriculum.

A Note on Our Evolving Guidelines

Artificial intelligence is an evolving field, with both the technology and its ethical implications continuously developing. As such, this guide is intended to be a living document. We expect to revise and update these guidelines regularly—ideally on an annual basis—to keep pace with the rapid advancements in AI.

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