USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE - AI

Monmouth Regional High School acknowledges that Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, including but not limited to generative AI, serves as a valuable resource for enhancing educational opportunities, improving district operations, and equipping students with essential skills for a future that requires adaptability, critical thinking, and digital literacy. When integrated and used responsibly, AI contributes to dynamic and engaging work and learning environments.

While AI technology may help automate tasks, improve decision-making, and/or perform complex tasks, it can also present challenges relating to accuracy, reliability, privacy, information security and data protection. The board’s intent in adopting this policy is to ensure that AI technology is not used as a substitute for learning. As such, this policy provides guidelines for board, staff, and student use of AI technology in a secure, responsible, and confidential manner that aligns with the district’s values, adheres to applicable legal and/or regulatory standards, and promotes the safety and well-being of the school community.

Guidelines for Use - General

A.  The chief school administrator shall ensure the following AI guidelines are followed:

1.     MRHS shall provide guidelines and information when necessary and appropriate to ensure that AI technology is used in a legal, ethical, and responsible manner.

2.     MRHS shall ensure use of AI technology aligns with the MRHS philosophy and meets the guidelines for technology use in the district.

B.     AI technology users are prohibited from:

1.     Using AI technology to access, create, or display harmful or inappropriate matter that is threatening, obscene, disruptive, or sexually explicit, or that could be construed as harassment or disparagement of others. 

2.     Sharing confidential information, or personally identifiable information with AI technology regarding another student, staff member, or other person. AI information should not be shared with the intent to threaten, intimidate, harass, or ridicule another person. Personally identifiable information includes, but is not limited to, a person’s name, address, email address, telephone number, social security number, physical or facial “likeness”, or other information that can potentially be used to identify the subject of the disclosure.

3.     Using AI technology in any way that violates the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), and any other applicable state or federal laws or regulations.

4.     Any violation of the above will result in the teacher and/or assistant principal implementing appropriate discipline or remediation. Improper use of AI technology may also result in civil, administrative, or criminal action in accordance with applicable laws.

C.    Monmouth Regional High School will ensure parents/guardians are informed of AI technology use within the curriculum.

Guidelines for Use – Staff 

A.     As appropriate, MRHS shall provide ongoing professional development opportunities to effectively support staff in integrating AI technology into instructional practices and planning.

B.     Teaching staff shall clarify whether students are prohibited from using AI on assignment(s) and will guide and monitor student use of AI, educating students about the responsible and ethical use of AI technology, its limitations, and potential biases. 

C.    Beyond formal professional development opportunities, MRHS encourages staff to explore available AI technology as it relates to the development of lesson plan ideas, creating templates or assessments, and to generate ideas for the customization of student learning.  AI technology tools and resources shall be used in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations policy.

D.    MRHS permits the use of AI detection tools as an aid to identify potential academic integrity issues but prohibits reliance on results from AI detection tools as the sole determination of academic integrity.

Guidelines for Use – Students

A.        Students shall be made aware of the following: 

1. Expectations regarding appropriate use of AI technology

2. The capabilities and limitations of AI technology

3. Critical analysis of content produced by AI technology

4. How to disclos, use, and cite AI technology resources

5. Not disclosing personal information when using AI technology

                        1.    

B.     Student use of AI technology in the classroom or on class assignments shall align with individual teaching staff instructions and use expectations.

C.    MRHS emphasizes the importance of academic integrity when using AI technology.  Student users are expected to use AI technology, when permitted by teaching staff, as a supplemental aid for brainstorming, clarifying concepts, and improving understanding.  Any AI-generated content should be properly cited, and students should be transparent about their use of AI technology in academic work.

D.    Violation(s) of these guidelines may result in discipline in accordance with the district’s student code of conduct.