CHECK IN WITH YOUR DISTRICT

How will you engage stakeholders in conversations about your AI plans (students, teachers, staff, community members, school committee)? Are there already key groups that are talking about AI and/or set up to help with this kind of decision? Who needs to be at the table? What will your process be to get input and feedback on the policy as it evolves?

With something as hot-button as genAI, the process of creating policy and guidelines is often an opportunity for important community learning, and strong community engagement in shaping policy may have wide-ranging benefits. 

What policies and/or guidelines already exist in your district that address, or could address, some facet of AI?

You may not need to, or it may not be the right time to, do a big policy lift. 

What is your district’s general stance toward technology? Is it quick or slow to embrace new innovations? Is there a culture of risk-taking or control around tech? Are teachers and leaders generally enthusiastic or generally apprehensive about tech? Or is it all a mix? Do you hope that a policy will support increased use of AI in the district, or limit and manage its use? 

Similarly, what has been the general tenor of conversation about AI in your district? Are there pressing concerns or hopes about what AI can or might do? 

How aware of/sensitive to technology ethics and AI ethics are the adults and students in the district? Are ethics a primary focus or is proficient use the sole focus?

Your policy can both limit and support genAI use, but it does need to express a non-neutral overall stance.

How robust is your existing tech infrastructure in terms of hardware, software, and dedicated expertise? Is it on the scarce side or the abundant side? 

Your policy shouldn't write checks that your existing infrastructure can't cash. 

How robust is the district’s ability to support teachers’ practice and growth around tech? To what extent is coaching and/or PD available and accessible to teachers? 

Your policy's aspirations must be in line with what is feasible given your district's resources.