AI acceptable use policy template for schools

[School] approves AI tools so students can get help with schoolwork while still doing the thinking that builds skill. This policy explains which AI tools students may use, how each assignment sets its own AI rule, and how we protect students' privacy and safety.

This policy covers all students and staff at [School] when they use AI tools for schoolwork, on school devices or their own. "AI tool" means any software that generates text, images, code or answers in response to prompts.

• Students may use these AI tools for schoolwork: [list approved tools].
• Teachers may use these AI tools for planning and feedback: [list].
• New tools are approved by [role, not an individual teacher] after a review of learning rules, privacy terms, provider terms for minors and safety routing.
• Other AI tools are [not permitted for schoolwork / permitted only with a teacher's written permission].

Every assignment states one of these levels. If an assignment does not state a level, it is Level [0].

• Level 0, No AI. The work is the student's alone.
• Level 1, AI for practice and feedback. Students may ask for hints, explanations and feedback on their own attempt. AI may not produce answers or text to submit.
• Level 2, AI with disclosure. Wider AI use is allowed. Students describe what AI did in a short note.
• Level 3, AI as part of the task. The assignment requires using AI and evaluating its output.

• Try the work yourself before asking AI for help, unless the assignment says otherwise.
• Follow each assignment's AI level and your class's AI rules.
• Disclose AI use when the assignment asks: which tool, what for, and what you did yourself.
• Check AI output. AI makes mistakes and can invent sources.
• Never paste passwords, another person's private information, or anything your teacher has asked you not to share.

[School] signs a data agreement with every approved AI vendor before students use the tool. Each agreement says the school owns student data and bars sale of student data, advertising and training AI models on it, and sets how long data is kept and how it is deleted. [Optional, for schools using Nexus: To answer a question, Nexus sends it to an AI provider the school approved, under business terms that do not train on it by default.]

In approved tools, [describe who can see what: for example, "teachers can review chats in the classes they teach, and students are told when a chat can be reviewed"]. [School] also uses device monitoring software on school devices, which works outside any AI tool and may record what students type. [Optional, for schools using Nexus: Personal chats are not shown to teachers. The exceptions are a legal requirement and a parent's request to see records where the law gives parents that right.]

AI tools are not counselors. If a student writes something that suggests they or someone else may be in danger, [describe the route: who is told, in which hours, and that a person reviews each flag before anyone reaches out]. Abuse disclosures follow [School]'s mandated-reporting procedures. Students in danger should call 911; students thinking about hurting themselves can call or text 988.

Suspected misuse is handled as a teaching matter first. Teachers look at process evidence, such as drafts, version history, class AI chats and a conversation with the student. No student is disciplined on the basis of an AI-detector score alone. [Describe consequences and appeals in line with the school's honor code.]

Every student in an approved class has access to the same approved AI tools, on school devices or their own. No student needs a paid AI subscription for schoolwork.

Staff use approved tools for planning and feedback. Staff do not paste student names or other identifying information into AI tools that lack a signed data agreement covering it.

[Role] reviews this policy at least once a year and when an approved tool changes significantly. Last reviewed: [date].