Phase 1 

 Generative AI integration cultivates vital 21st-century competencies that better prepare students for future success in an AI-driven workplace and society. These tools promote critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, communication, collaboration, and technological literacy. They achieve this by making learning more engaging, accessible, and efficient. 

         Here are some examples:

• Personalized learning: AI can tailor experiences to individual student needs and learning styles, fostering deeper understanding and engagement.

• Teacher efficiency: By automating certain creation tasks like generating practice problems or creating feedback rubrics. AI frees up valuable teacher time for more one-on-one interaction and personalized instruction.

• Deeper research: Generative AI can synthesize vast amounts of information, allowing students to explore topics in more depth and develop stronger research skills.

• Enhanced creativity: AI can provide thought-starters and inspiration, sparking new ideas and igniting the creative process.

• Inclusive learning: Generative AI can support students with diverse abilities and learning differences by offering various learning pathways and materials.

• Project-based learning: AI tools can facilitate project-based and interdisciplinary learning, encouraging collaboration and critical thinking.

Alongside the many benefits of using AI, it's important to think about various factors for responsible implementation. These considerations cover a wide range of important aspects, including ethical and social considerations, as well as technical and regulatory requirements. 

Important aspects to consider include::

• Equity of access: Not all students have equal access to technology or the internet at home. Schools must ensure equitable access to AI tools within the school environment. Additionally, AI must not be implemented in a way that denies students with disabilities equal access to education opportunities.

• Data privacy: The data used to train AI models can perpetuate biases or lead to  student privacy concerns. Schools need to be transparent about data collection practices, obtain informed consent, and prioritize robust data security measures.  COPPA, CIPA, and FERPA compliance should be followed  when using any digital resource.

  • FERPA - AI systems must protect the privacy of student education records and comply with parental consent requirements. 

  • COPPA - AI chatbots, personalized learning platforms, and other technologies collecting data on children under 13 must adhere to COPPA.

  • CIPA - Schools must ensure AI content filters align with CIPA protections against harmful content.

• Ethical implications: Schools should regularly review and evaluate the ethical implications that are involved in  using Generative AI Tools, considering factors such as bias, fairness, and inclusivity. AI algorithms can reflect or amplify biases in our society. Educators must be aware of these potential biases and curate AI tools that promote fairness and inclusivity. Additionally, discussions about the ethical implications of AI should be integrated into the curriculum to foster critical thinking and responsible AI usage.

• Acceptable Use, Transparency, and Accountability: Educators should be transparent with students about the use of Generative AI Tools, explaining how they work and the roles they play in the learning process. Teachers should also be explicit about when and if students can use AI.  

  • Using AI Responsibly- Teachers should monitor students' use of Generative AI Tools to ensure that they are not misusing them or relying too heavily on generated content without engaging in critical thinking and learning. 

    • Teachers should also be explicit about when and if students can use AI.  Consider the AI Use Scale.  

    • When AI is used as a part of student work, it should be properly cited or include a statement of use. The following resource helps support that process: RCPS Guidance for Citing Use of AI 

• Defining Original Work with AI

  • In RCPS, original student work means anything that a student creates using their ideas and understanding. When using AI, students should use it as a helper, not do the work for them. Any work submitted for grading should mainly come from the student's efforts and understanding. AI can help with research, practice, or exploring ideas, but the final work should be the student's creation.

  • Plagiarizing the language, structure, idea, and/or thought produced by artificial intelligence and representing it as original work is strictly prohibited!  

The following documents address this specifically for Cumberland County Schools:

•  Original Work Policy - Representing AI as your own work is prohibited 

Honor Code- Representing AI as your own work is considered an Honor Code violation.  (RCPS Student Code of Conduct- Class I Violations- Definitions)

Vision and Commitment
Radford City Public Schools (RCPS) is dedicated to integrating Generative AI into its educational framework in a way that prioritizes human oversight, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making. While Generative AI offers significant opportunities to enhance teaching and learning, it does not replace the fundamental human relationships that are at the heart of education. RCPS is committed to preparing students for an AI-integrated world by fostering digital citizenship and literacy.

Guiding Principles

1. Human-Centered Design: Humans will remain the drivers of education, with AI acting as a supportive tool.

2. Support for Teaching & Learning: AI enhances learning by supporting student achievement and teacher expertise, allowing for personalized instruction. Teachers remain central to instruction, with AI as a complementary tool for innovation and efficiency.

3.  Critical Thinking & Creativity: AI tools will enhance, not restrict, critical thinking and creative exploration. 

4. Transparency and Explainability: RCPS ensures AI is transparent and understandable, with clear explanations of its use and outputs. Stakeholders are informed about AI’s role in educational processes.  The use of AI will be open, understandable, and accountable. 

5. Humane & Ethical Use: RCPS promotes responsible AI use, emphasizing ethical decision-making, accountability, and respect for privacy. Students and teachers use AI as a collaborative tool that supports learning without replacing effort or original work. Teachers will guide students to maintain academic integrity.

6. Accessibility and Equity: Generative AI fosters equitable access to resources, offering all students opportunities for success and promoting an inclusive learning environment. AI will create inclusive and differentiated learning pathways, ensuring equitable access for all students. 

7. Privacy & Security: Protecting student data is a priority. AI use at RCPS meets strict privacy and security standards to safeguard personal information. 

*Continuous Improvement: RCPS is committed to ongoing improvement of AI practices, engaging stakeholders, providing professional development, and adapting to evolving ethical standards.

Implementation Guidelines

• Use of AI in Education:AI tools will be integrated to enhance teaching, school administration, and student learning, ensuring they align with RCPS's educational goals. RCPS will prioritize AI tools designed for K-12 education, ensuring compatibility with the existing technology infrastructure.

• Defining Original Student Work: Students are encouraged to use AI as a helper to explore ideas and conduct research, but submitted work should reflect their own understanding and effort. AI should augment learning, not replace it.

Conclusion
RCPS recognizes the transformative potential of Generative AI while remaining cautious of its risks. Through responsible use, continuous improvement, and active collaboration, RCPS aims to prepare students to succeed in an AI-driven world, ensuring that AI enhances education while upholding core values and ethical standards.