Spokane Public Schools encourages the responsible and ethical use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) as part of the teaching and learning process.
Spokane Public Schools recognizes that AI tools create challenges and opportunities for students and staff. First, we must teach students the ethical use of AI for schoolwork and assessments. Next, SPS educational practices must evolve as these types of tools improve and become a significant part of everyday life.
Generative AI such as ChatGPT, Bing Chat, and Google Bard have great potential to support student learning, help teachers with their instruction, and improve the efficiency of District operations. It is important to ensure the safe use of this new tool in a way that supports learning, is safe and ethical.
Definitions:
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
A computer program or application that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.
Generative AI
A type of artificial intelligence designed to create content like text or images based on vast amounts of publicly available data. Generative AI tools typically generate content in response to a human user’s written prompt.
Guiding Principles
- Academic Excellence: We support the use of generative AI in the classroom to improve and enhance the teaching and learning experience for all members of the SPS community. Productive use of generative AI in the academic setting includes collaboration prior to using AI and transparency between educator and learner.
- Data Privacy: Data privacy and security are fundamental aspects of ethical AI use. All staff in Spokane Public Schools must be diligent custodians of student data, safeguarding the privacy and security of our learners as we incorporate AI into the business of teaching and learning. Staff must follow all state and federal laws to protect student data including, but not limited to FERPA, COPPA, PPRA, IDEA, and CIPA.
- Ethical use of AI: Spokane Public Schools does not consider any amount of work produced by AI tools, to be a student’s or staff’s own. Therefore, as with any quote or material from another source, it must be clear that AI-generated content whether text, image, mathematical solution, code, or other content has been copied from such software. The software must be credited and appropriately referenced if used (MLA, Chicago Manual of Style, APA.)
- Critical thinking and analysis: Students and staff must be aware of the limitations of AI and not rely solely on AI-generated outputs. They should evaluate AI-generated content for accuracy, bias, and relevance before incorporating it into their work.
In addition, the Washington Office of Superintendent for Public Instruction (OSPI) released this guidance on the use of Artificial Intelligence in schools.
Individual Use of AI
Spokane Public Schools respects an individual's choice to use Generative AI as an educational or productivity tool but encourages all members of the educational community to take the following steps to ensure the appropriate use of Generative AI as part of all District business.