Staff are required to utilize only approved generative AI tools that can be found in our division Software Vetting Database. Classroom integration and expectations for student use exists on an ever-evolving spectrum. We recommend that teachers clearly communicate their expectations for AI integration within instructions for each assignment. We encourage teachers to incorporate assignment instructions that prompt students to include AI transcripts or chat links as an appendix to their original work. We also maintain that students should submit original work that displays authentic efforts and understanding. Students may use AI as a helper — for things like research, practice, or exploring ideas, but the final work should be the students’ own creation. Based on the current Student Code of Conduct (School Board Policy JFC), students who submit AI-generated work as their own, original work may be given a penalized score or a grade of zero (0) on grounds of plagiarism. As an exception, a student may produce completely AI-generated work within the allowance provided by the teacher.
Artificial Intelligence in CHPS
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become increasingly integrated into our daily lives, performing functions such as navigation assistance, voice recognition, and even security access. Colonial Heights Public Schools understands AI tools can benefit students and staff for learning, productivity, and creativity. However, we must ensure AI's ethical and appropriate use as a supplemental aid in the educational process, not the sole source of work or learning. As AI technology is rapidly evolving, this section of our website will be updated regularly with the most current information available.
Our AI Policy
Our Guiding Principles on AI Use in CHPS
What is Generative AI?
Generative AI uses machine learning models to learn from data and create new content that resembles the original data. It can create new content like text, images, videos, music, code, and more.
The AI model is fed large sets of data to learn and remember. The model can then be trained to improve its understanding of that data. When asked questions by us in what are called prompts, it uses what it has learned to create responses. Generative AI is unique in that the responses it supplies are new, original ideas versus just repeating, word for word, the data it learned. The more data the model is fed, the better its responses become.
Check out the video below for a visualization of how it all works!
Why use Generative AI?
Generative AI has impactful uses in both personal, academic, and professional settings. It can be used to:
plan an event
brainstorm for a project
compare and contrast sources
learn the basics about a topic
build a recipe with ingredients
draft a respectful email to a colleague or superior
create a workout plan
weigh pros and cons
AI & Academic Integrity
Ensuring academic integrity with the use of AI is the responsibility of both students and staff. As part of our work in safely and ethically integrating AI into the educational setting, we have established expectations and protocols for staff. This includes providing teachers and administrators with recommended steps to take if they suspect a student has plagiarized using AI. Plagiarism detector technology varies in its accuracy, and it is our goal that no student is falsely accused of academic dishonesty using AI.
The following are ways we can encourage academic integrity in the era of generative AI.
Staff
Provide clear instructions on the expected use (or lack thereof) of AI for the assignment
Provide clear expectations around AI use for work, in general, in his or her class
Provide opportunities for authentic writing samples and student reflection to avoid false accusations of plagiarism
Openly discuss with students ethical and unethical use of AI
Students
Use AI for brainstorming, inspiration, and modeling versus to complete an assignment in its entirety
Reflect on the accuracy of information obtained through AI chats
Be transparent when AI has been used (i.e. provide an AI chat link with an assignment)
Avoid copying and pasting from an AI chat directly into an assignment