Podcast: OSPI's Human-Centered AI Guidance for K-12 Schools created by NotebookLM.
Podcast: OSPI's Human-Centered AI Guidance for K-12 Schools created by NotebookLM.
In the Tahoma School District we believe AI has the potential to be a powerful tool for staff and students in its ability to improve productivity, enhance learning outcomes, personalize instruction, and foster creativity. OSPI’s Human-Centered AI Guidance for K-12 Public Schools as well as the TeachAI Toolkit provide the foundation for our own guidance and policies on AI use. Our approach is a human-centered one. In particular, we affirm that “uses of AI should always start with human inquiry and always end with human reflection, human insight, and human empowerment . . .” in order to ensure that our teachers, administrators and students may “engage with AI responsibility, ethically, and safely” as outlined in the OSPI AI Guidance.
As a district, we are committed to exploring and evaluating new AI technologies as they are developed and released. We will partner with our AI Advisory Group and other groups as we navigate the ways this new technology may be used in our schools.
We expect all users of AI technologies to adhere to the highest standards of ethical and responsible behavior, such as respecting human dignity, privacy, and intellectual property rights. Users are responsible for evaluating the accuracy, reliability, and limitations of AI technologies, and should seek human feedback and guidance when necessary.Â
Staff may utilize generative AI technologies for professional productivity, but should do so responsibly to ensure accurate and ethical use. Staff must also be aware of potential privacy concerns related to sharing personally identifiable information (PII) with AI tools. In no circumstances should student or staff data or PII be shared with or entered into AI tools. For general-purpose generative AI output, we recommend using Gemini and Copilot with one's Tahoma Identity which offer enterprise data protection.Â
Staff should consult the tech department before purchasing any licenses for AI tools.Â
Any GenAI use with students shouldÂ
Model a human-centered approach (Human→AI→Human)
Be used in service of enhancing learning and empowering students
Be coupled with appropriate digital citizenship and AI literacy including age-appropriate acceptable and responsible use
Adhere to age restrictions and terms of use
Protect personal information and student data by not sharing PII with AI tools
Be open and transparent
Teachers must follow the same guidelines for staff.Â
Teachers of students under the age of 13 may model the responsible and ethical use of generative AI applications in their classrooms but students must not create individual accounts on AI platforms. AI tools that are embedded in our core learning and productivity applications are okay for all students to use.Â
High school teachers may incorporate the use of Gemini and/or Copilot Enterprise (ensuring that students sign in with their Tahoma identity) when accompanied with specific instruction regarding acceptable and responsible generative AI use.Â
All teachers should consult the Resources to Support AI in the Classroom page prior to using any AI tools with students.Â
Below are guidelines for educators who choose to use Generative AI with students. There is no expectation that teachers use AI with students; however, when/if they do, following these best practices ensures responsible and effective integration into the learning environment. The guidelines below adapted from “Age-Appropriate GenAI Use Guidelines,” AI for Education April 2025 . You can find more information here.Â
Primary teachers may begin building awareness of AI as a concept present in the world around us byÂ
Explaining that they are tools that help us do things, but distinct from human intelligence.Â
Leading discussions and demonstrations of how it works.
Providing teacher-led access and use of vetted Al platforms (e.g. AI-powered adaptive learning platforms).Â
Including AI awareness and use in digital citizenship lessons when relevant.
Intermediate teachers may continue building awareness of AI as a concept present in the world around us and start introducing use byÂ
Providing access to age-appropriate educational Al tools in a well-organized, educator-led setting with parental consent.Â
Adult demonstrations of different Al tool types (image, video, multimodal inputs, etc.).Â
Incorporating digital literacy, information literacy, and understanding of concepts related to GenAI fundamentals, safety, ethics, and effective use.
Middle School teachers may incorporate gen AI by
Providing structured, teacher-directed opportunities within approved educational AI tools, such as those found in Google Classroom.
Ensuring compliance with age restrictions of GenAI tools for both academic and personal use.
Continued focus on media literacy, ethics, safety, capabilities, and limitations of Al.
High school teachers might integrate the use of gen AI by
Providing a balance of structured, supervised use with opportunities for independent, self-directed use of district-approved GenAI tools (e.g. Gemini and CoPilot, NotebookLM, etc.).
Reinforcing use is guided by district and classroom/teacher policies and academic integrity.
Anchoring use in durable skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving with an emphasis on enhancing human originality, not replacing it.
Exploring the use of Al applications in potential careers.Â
Engaging in in-depth discussions on ethics, safety, capabilities, and limitations.