Ridgefield Public Schools is adopting a thoughtful, developmentally appropriate philosophy for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its educational framework, tailored to each academic level. At the elementary level, the focus remains on limiting screen time to support healthy development, with no direct engagement in AI products. Instead, students build foundational skills through computer science standards, media literacy, and digital citizenship, fostering a strong base for future learning. In middle school, seventh and eighth graders participate in Innovation Lab classes, where they explore how AI functions, learn basic prompting, and develop core AI-related skills as part of a structured curriculum, though AI remains inaccessible in general classroom settings. At the high school level, educators have the opportunity to integrate Google Gemini, enabling teachers to selectively incorporate AI into specific class segments. This approach aims to enhance teaching and learning by leveraging AI as a supportive tool alongside educators’ expertise, ensuring responsible and impactful use across all levels
At the elementary level, the focus remains on limiting screen time to support healthy development, with no direct engagement in AI products. Instead, students build foundational skills through computer science standards, media literacy, and digital citizenship, fostering a strong base for future learning. At the elementary level, our pedagogical approach prioritizes the holistic development of young learners. A cornerstone of this philosophy is the deliberate limitation of screen time, recognizing its potential impact on healthy cognitive, social, and emotional development. Consequently, direct engagement with artificial intelligence (AI) products is not introduced at this stage.
All student work, whether in draft or final form, to meet class requirements must be the student’s own work.
Instead, we dedicate our efforts to building robust foundational skills that are critical for navigating the complexities of the 21st century. Our curriculum is designed to focus on core computer science standards, providing them with an understanding of computational thinking, problem-solving, and the logical underpinnings of technology. Alongside this, a strong emphasis is placed on media literacy, empowering students to critically evaluate information, understand different forms of media, and recognize bias or misinformation. Concurrently, our digital citizenship program instills essential values and practices for responsible and ethical online behavior, covering topics such as online safety, privacy, and respectful communication. This integrated approach ensures that students develop a comprehensive and strong base, equipping them with the necessary knowledge, skills, and discernment for future learning and responsible participation in a technologically evolving society.
At the middle school level, students engage with AI through a dedicated course called Innovation Lab, designed to teach the fundamentals of how AI works, its applications, and responsible use. In this class, students explore AI concepts, develop critical thinking about its societal impact, and learn to use AI tools in a guided manner. Additionally, lessons conducted through our library media centers will also focus on ethics topics regarding AI. Outside of Innovation Lab, AI access is restricted in general classes to prioritize skill-building in core subjects, ensuring students develop strong foundational abilities without reliance on AI tools. This approach balances hands-on AI education with a focus on traditional academic skills, preparing students for responsible and informed technology use as they advance.
All submissions, whether in draft or final form, to meet course requirements (including and not limited to a paper, project, exam, computer program, oral presentation, or other work) must be the student’s own work.
Classroom teachers reserve the right to dictate to students the platform in which they can complete their work. (Example, a teacher may assign a project to be done entirely in a monitored Google document.)
Most popular AI products currently available to the public, such as ChatGPT, do not meet the state of Connecticut educational privacy standards and have a user age rating of 18+. However, high school students can now use Google Gemini in the classroom environment if their teacher allows it. This new technology is ever-changing, and as new developments occur, these policies may be updated.
Unless otherwise specified by the classroom teacher, all submissions, whether in draft or final form, to meet course requirements (including and not limited to a paper, project, exam, computer program, oral presentation, or other work) must be the student’s own work.
In those scenarios where a classroom teacher permits the use of AI tools, students must clearly acknowledge the source and the level of AI involvement.
Classroom teachers reserve the right to dictate to students the platform in which they can complete their work. (Example, a teacher may assign a project to be done entirely in a monitored Google document.)