ACCEPTABLE USE

Purpose

Louisa County Public Schools (LCPS) embraces innovation and recognizes the educational benefits of Artificial Intelligence when used effectively, ethically, and responsibly. AI can support learning, creativity, accessibility, research, problem-solving, and career readiness. However, AI is not a substitute for student thinking, original work, critical thinking, creativity, or problem-solving skills.

Definition of Artificial Intelligence

For the purposes of this guidance, Artificial Intelligence, or AI, refers to technologies that can generate, revise, analyze, recommend, summarize, respond to, or create content based on user input.

AI may exist as a stand-alone tool or as a feature within another website, application, device, search engine, writing platform, communication tool, or educational resource. This guidance applies to all AI-enabled tools and features, regardless of whether AI is the primary purpose of the product.

Teacher Permission and Approved Tools

AI may only be used for a school assignment or activity when specifically permitted by the teacher or appropriate school personnel.

An AI tool being approved or available through LCPS does not mean it may be used on every assignment. Students must use only LCPS-approved tools and must follow teacher directions regarding when and how AI may be used.

If students are unsure whether AI is permitted, they are responsible for asking their teacher before using it.

Appropriate Uses

When permitted, appropriate uses of AI may include:

• Brainstorming ideas.

• Generating practice questions.

• Receiving tutoring-style explanations.

• Organizing information.

• Supporting research.

• Creating study materials.

• Improving clarity or grammar.

• Receiving feedback on drafts.

• Creating images or other media for an approved instructional purpose.

AI should support the learning process while students maintain ownership of the final product.

Prohibited Uses and Academic Integrity

AI is prohibited on quizzes, tests, exams, assessments, or assignments unless the teacher has specifically permitted its use.

Students may not use AI to:

• Complete work that is submitted as original student content.

• Answer assessment questions without permission.

• Bypass the learning expectations of an assignment.

• Misrepresent their knowledge, skills, effort, or understanding.

Submitting AI-generated work as a student’s own, using AI to answer assessment questions without permission, or using AI to bypass the intended learning of an assignment constitutes academic dishonesty and may constitute plagiarism.

When AI use is permitted, students may be required to identify the tool used, explain how it was used, acknowledge meaningful AI assistance, provide evidence of their work process, and demonstrate their understanding of the submitted work.

Students remain responsible for all content they submit.

Privacy and Approved Use

Students may not enter, upload, record, or share personally identifiable information with AI tools.

This includes names connected to private information, addresses, phone numbers, student ID numbers, grades, discipline information, health or disability information, photos, videos, audio recordings, passwords, or any other information that could identify a student, employee, family, or individual.

Students may not use unapproved AI tools on school-issued devices, through school-managed accounts, on the LCPS network, or for school-related assignments or activities.

Ethical and Responsible Use

AI may not be used to:

• Impersonate another person.

• Harass, threaten, intimidate, or bully.

• Create inappropriate, harmful, discriminatory, or deceptive content.

• Create false images, audio, video, or statements about another person.

• Violate copyright or intellectual property rights.

• Record or share others without permission.

• Circumvent school rules, filters, monitoring, supervision, or classroom expectations.

Verifying AI-Generated Information

AI-generated content may be inaccurate, biased, incomplete, outdated, or misleading. Students remain responsible for verifying information using SIFT research skills:

• Stop: Pause and consider whether the information seems accurate, appropriate, and relevant.

• Investigate the Source: Determine where the information came from and whether the source is reliable and current.

• Find Better Coverage: Compare the information with other trusted sources.

• Trace Claims to the Original Context: Locate the original source of a claim, statistic, quotation, image, or idea.

An AI tool is not necessarily the original source of the information it provides.

AI-Enabled Devices

AI-enabled smart devices and wearable technology that can access, display, generate, record, or transmit information are prohibited during the school day unless explicitly approved for an instructional, medical, accessibility, or accommodation-related purpose.

This includes AI-enabled glasses, earbuds, smart watches, wearable cameras, and similar devices. Prescription smart glasses are not permitted if they contain AI, recording, display, or communication capabilities and have not been approved by appropriate school personnel.

Violations and Consequences

Unauthorized use of AI tools, AI-generated content, or AI-enabled devices may result in academic or disciplinary consequences.

Violations involving assessments, plagiarism, cheating, unauthorized devices, privacy violations, impersonation, harassment, unauthorized recording, or intentional misuse will be addressed in accordance with applicable LCPS policies, the Student Code of Conduct, the Acceptable Use Policy, and academic-integrity expectations.

Consequences may include loss of technology privileges, parent or guardian notification, confiscation of unauthorized devices in accordance with school policy, academic consequences, disciplinary referral, or additional consequences determined by school administration.

Ongoing Review

These guidelines will be regularly reviewed and updated to align with technological advancements, instructional needs, legal requirements, academic-integrity expectations, and the needs of LCPS learners.