AI and Technology Use at PPS
This FAQ is designed to help students, staff, and families understand how to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and district technology responsibly, in alignment with PPS Administrative Directive 8.60.041-AD and the PPS AI Guidebook.
General Information & Policies
What is PPS’s stance on using AI?
PPS views AI as a tool to support and enhance human work, not replace it. The district encourages the intentional, ethical, and safe exploration of AI to amplify creativity and personalize learning while upholding our commitments to equity and data privacy.
What policies govern the use of AI at PPS?
The use of AI is governed by the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and Administrative Directive 8.60.041-AD. These policies apply to all district-provided computers, networks, and software.
Are there different rules for different AI tools?
Yes. PPS categorizes tools into "Approved" (vetted for privacy and safety) and "Non-Approved". You can search for approved tools in the PPS LearnPlatform App Library.
Guidance for Staff
How can I use AI to help with my professional tasks?
Staff can use district-approved AI for:
- Learning Design: Generating lesson ideas while still teaching to the curriculum with integrity, practice problems, and differentiated materials.
- Administrative Tasks: Drafting emails and communications.
- Instructional Support: Finding resources and providing preliminary translations.
What are my primary responsibilities when using AI?
- Human Oversight: You must review all AI-generated content for accuracy, bias, and appropriateness.
- Transparency: Model academic integrity by citing your use of AI when creating professional materials.
Can I use AI detectors to check student work?
Staff should not rely on AI detection tools as they are currently unreliable and have shown bias against non-native English speakers.
Data Privacy & Security
Can I enter student names or grades into an AI tool?
Never upload student work, grades, or Personally Identifiable Information (PII) into AI tools unless the district has specifically authorized it and a Data Privacy Agreement (DPA) is in place.
Which AI tool is recommended for the best privacy?
Staff and students are encouraged to use Google Gemini. When used with district accounts, Gemini provides enterprise-grade security, and your data is not used to train AI models.
Guidance for Students (AI Levels of Use)
Students must follow the directions of their teacher for every assignment.
Level
Restrictive: AI Use Not Allowed
Meaning: AI tools should NOT be used for these assignments. The work must be completely original and reflect the student’s own effort. This includes planning or drafting in some cases where originality is paramount.
Moderate: AI Use Allowed with Citation
Meaning: AI tools CAN be used for specific parts of assignments, but the student MUST give credit to the AI tool and the information or content it provided.
Permissive: AI Use Allowed without Citation
Meaning: AI tools CAN be used freely for assignments without requiring formal citation.
Guidance for Families
How can I support my child with AI at home?
Navigating the age of AI requires a shared understanding and approach between home and school. While AI is rapidly transforming our world, understanding it is key to empowering learners. AI literacy is becoming important for success in future careers and daily life, much like traditional digital literacy.
What is AI, and What is it Not?
It’s helpful to remember that Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, especially Generative AI (GenAI) like chatbots that create text or images, are examples of machine-learning systems. They infer patterns from vast amounts of training data and generate probable outputs through statistical calculations and logic. It is important to understand that AI tools lack understanding, intent, emotions, or ethical reasoning. They are not sentient beings. AI is a tool to augment and support human capabilities, not replace human thinking, creativity, or connection.
Key Considerations for Families
- Critical Evaluation is Essential
- Data Privacy and Oversharing Risks
- Academic Integrity & Responsible Use
- Understanding AI’s Societal Impact
- Awareness of Media Manipulation and Deepfakes
- AI for Different Purposes and Age Groups
- Fostering Key Skills and Attitudes
Resources
