Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Downingtown Area School District

AI Guidelines: Empowering Responsible Use in DASD

We aim to integrate and adapt to evolving AI alongside Human Intelligence. By integrating AI tools thoughtfully and ethically, we strive to support our students’ academic and personal growth, fostering responsible use of technology, and critical thinking/problem-solving skills. Our position will change to reflect new developments in AI, maintaining alignment with our district values and ensuring a safe and effective learning environment.

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems and algorithms that mimic human cognitive functions, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making. AI encompasses a broad spectrum of techniques and methodologies, including machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics, aimed at creating intelligent systems capable of performing tasks autonomously or with minimal human intervention.

In This Section

The DASD AI Guidelines were developed by the DASD AI Think Tank, a group that includes district administrators, teachers, instructional coaches, librarians, and curriculum leaders. The DASD AI Think Tank focuses on exploring the integration of AI in education by researching best practices, developing innovative strategies, and providing guidance for effective implementation.

Our Core Beliefs About AI in Education

Downingtown Area School District students are challenged, engaged, and inspired through many academic opportunities, passionate educators, and innovative teaching methods. Our schools value collaborative learning and critical thinking while remaining focused on student wellness and serving the whole child.
AI, including technologies like machine learning and natural language processing, is increasingly being adopted for professional and personal use. We believe that AI has the potential to support both teaching and learning if used appropriately. Our goal is to equip students with the skills to navigate AI technologies responsibly, fostering lifelong learning.
We are committed to the ethical and responsible use of AI tools in education to assist teaching, learning, and administrative processes while safeguarding student and faculty privacy and data security.

Position Statements

High School

The Impact on Teaching and Learning	A graduate from our school district is a proactive and goal-oriented individual who takes personal responsibility for their growth and development. They apply critical thinking and curiosity to solve complex issues, acting with ethical integrity and empathy. They work collaboratively and effectively contribute to achieving common goals. The use of AI must be managed carefully to protect our student learning outcomes. Students should develop the ability to use AI responsibly while maintaining academic integrity. Instruction on AI usage will be age-appropriate, focusing on the importance of human supervision, critical thinking, and the limitations of AI technologies. AI use in the classroom should supplement and not replace critical thinking skills, problem-solving, reading, writing, and other core standards.
Principles of Usage	When used, AI in the classroom should be guided by course-dependent clear instructions from teachers regarding its permissibility for specific assignments or projects. AI tools must be used ethically, with proper acknowledgment and, citation of AI-generated content. Any misuse will violate our core beliefs about AI in education. We are committed to protecting student and faculty privacy and ensuring data security, aligning with academic honor codes and ethical standards.

The Impact on Teaching and Learning

A graduate from our school district is a proactive and goal-oriented individual who takes personal responsibility for their growth and development. They apply critical thinking and curiosity to solve complex issues, acting with ethical integrity and empathy. They work collaboratively and effectively contribute to achieving common goals.

The use of AI must be managed carefully to protect our student learning outcomes. Students should develop the ability to use AI responsibly while maintaining academic integrity. Instruction on AI usage will be age-appropriate, focusing on the importance of human supervision, critical thinking, and the limitations of AI technologies.

AI use in the classroom should supplement and not replace critical thinking skills, problem-solving, reading, writing, and other core standards.

Principles of Usage

When used, AI in the classroom should be guided by course-dependent clear instructions from teachers regarding its permissibility for specific assignments or projects. AI tools must be used ethically, with proper acknowledgment and, citation of AI-generated content. Any misuse will violate our core beliefs about AI in education.

We are committed to protecting student and faculty privacy and ensuring data security, aligning with academic honor codes and ethical standards.

Middle School

The Impact on Teaching and Learning	We are committed to embracing AI as a tool to support, supplement, and expand student learning. Our practices will continue to evolve in response to the changing landscape of AI, ensuring they align with our district’s mission. We believe in fostering human intelligence and encouraging academic honesty. We prioritize teaching students how to responsibly use AI.
Principles of Usage	Over the course of middle school, students will gradually become more independent in applying principles related to the academic use of AI. AI should be used to help students complete tasks, not to replace their ability to demonstrate mastery.

Elementary School

The Impact on Teaching and Learning	Elementary learning should be augmented by DASD-curated and approved technology and digital tools. Foundational, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Literacy skills and experiences will be included in an age-appropriate, instructional context with the purpose of supporting the environment of learning and continuous innovation present in elementary classrooms.
Principles of Usage	Teachers can project an AI tool as a part of whole group instruction. However, elementary students cannot independently access AI resources due to the terms and conditions stating that users must be over the age of 13, or in some cases, 18. Teachers cannot require students to access AI independently at school or at home.

AI Tools for Students

Sample Disclosure Statements:

After the teacher has determined the appropriate level of AI usage using the AI Scale, Students should include a disclosure statement, such as the examples below.

Sample Disclosure Statement for Level 1 and 2 AI Usage:
I used AI tools for some aspects of this assignment, specifically: (Please list examples: brainstorming ideas and editing my work). I acknowledge that while AI assisted me in refining my thoughts, the original ideas, critical thinking and conclusions are my own to demonstrate my understanding of the topic. I understand that failing to disclose this use would be a violation of academic integrity according to the student code of conduct.

Sample Disclosure Statement for Level 3 AI Usage:

I used AI tools for certain aspects of this assignment including: (Please list examples: summarizing journal articles or creating visuals/graphs) but all AI-generated content was created under my direct oversight. The final work reflects my understanding of the material with the supplemental assistance of AI in specific areas noted above and is cited where appropriate. I understand that failing to disclose this use would be a violation of academic integrity according to the student code of conduct.

Middle School AI Scale

MIDDLE SCHOOL AI SCALE
LEVEL	0: CLOSED	1: RESTRICTED	2: CONDITIONAL	3: OPEN
USE	NO AI USE	AI-Assisted Editing	AI-Assisted Generation and Structuring	AI-Directed
DESCRIPTION	AI may not be used to aid or assist in student products. Product is entirely student created.	AI may be used to edit student work in an attempt to improve the submission. Student work should be created first and then may be supported by AI.	AI may be used to generate ideas and help students create outlines or graphic organizers. No AI content is allowed int he submission.	AI may be used to complete certain elements of a student product as a supplemental support. Students must provide critical analysis and oversight of products created by AI.
PERMISSION AND EXAMPLES	None	Edit grammar, sord choice, conventions, and spelling. Ask for specific feedback on student produced work.	Create a graphic organizer or outline. Brainstorm ideas based on a given assignment or topic.	Summarizing articles Researching content for assignment, project, or essay.
DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS	No citation or badge	Badge or statement explaining how AI was used	Badge or statement explaining how AI was used	Badge or statement explaining how AI was used All content created needs a proper MLA, APA, or Chicago citation

High School AI Scale

HIGH SCHOOL AI SCALE
LEVEL	0:CLOSED	1:RESTRICTED	2:CONDITIONAL	3:OPEN
USE	NO AI USE	AI-Assisted Editing	AI-Assisted Generation and Structuring	AI-Directed
DESCRIPTION	AI may not be used to aid or assist in student products. Product is entirely student created.	AI may be used to edit student created work for clarity and conciseness with teacher and student oversight.	AI may be used to generate initial ideas provide a frame for student products.	AI may be used to complete certain elements of a student product as a supplemental support. Students must provide critical analysis and oversight of products created by AI.
PERMISSION AND EXAMPLES	None	Edit grammar and spelling. Edit and break down sentences of a student produced piece of writing. Fine tune research questions.	Create a graphic organizer or outline. Create ideas for improving work or research As directed by instructor	Summarizing articles Researching content for assignment, project, or paper.
DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS	No citation or badge	Badge or statement explaining how AI was used	Badge or statement explaining how AI was used	Badge or statement explaining how AI was used All content created needs a proper MLA, APA, or Chicago citation

AI at Home

It is recognized that AI exists in student life. If parents/guardians choose to allow their children to access AI at home, under their supervision, that is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.

Teachers will determine if students are allowed to use AI assistance on an assignment, and to what extent AI’s participation is acceptable. If a teacher does not specify AI usage guidelines, students should assume AI is not allowed for that assignment.