Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education

Overview

Puyallup School District is committed to preparing every student to reach their full potential and thrive in school, society, work, and life. As technology rapidly changes, we believe that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can play a powerful role in education when used responsibly and thoughtfully.

Our Core Beliefs About Artificial Intelligence

Innovation and Excellence: Embracing innovative technologies such as AI, and adapting to evolving needs of students, community, and society, strengthens our tradition of excellence.
Transformational Potential: AI has transformational potential across our district. District staff will use the principles below when using AI in classrooms and operational systems to enrich educational experiences and streamline administrative functions.
Educational Opportunities: Leveraging AI's potential benefits for educational opportunities such as personalized learning, teacher support, and assistive technologies will ensure our students are prepared to thrive in an increasingly AI-impacted world.
Human-Centered Approach: No technology can replace human connections, emotions, or morality. Humans need to maintain meaningful control over artificial intelligence.

Our Guiding Principles for Using AI

Puyallup School District staff and students will use AI responsibly, with a focus on privacy, safety, and learning.

These guiding principles ensure AI is used as a supportive tool, and never a replacement for human judgment, relationships, or creativity.

Human-Centered

AI as a tool, not a replacement: AI will be used to support human decision-making, not replace it.
Human accountability: Staff and students are responsible for their work, even when AI tools are used.
Aligned with human values: AI use must remain consistent with critical thinking, ethics, and creativity

Transparency

Acknowledge and cite AI use: Staff and students must clearly state when AI tools are used in learning or operations.
Understand AI processes: Users should know how AI systems process input, generate content, and support decision-making.
Know data sources: Staff and students should understand what data the AI was trained on, how decisions are made, and how data is collected, stored, or shared.

Well-Informed

Use AI critically and responsibly: Staff and students must understand AI’s capabilities and its limitations in education.
Check facts and sources: Users should verify information created with AI to prevent bias, misinformation, or errors.
Stay current: Staff and students should keep up with new AI tools, laws, and best practices for responsible technology use.

Compliant

Follow laws and policies: When using AI, all students and staff use must comply with federal and state laws, as well as the Puyallup School District Digital Polices (Electronic Resources and Internet Safety, Digital Citizenship and Media Literacy Policy and Electronic Resources and Internet Safety Regulation).
Protect data privacy: Users must safeguard personal information and follow digital citizenship standards.
Ensure safe technology use: AI in schools must always align with Internet safety, responsible technology use, and ethical education practices.

5-Level AI Use Scale for Student Work

This scale clarifies how Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be used in student work, from no AI support to AI as a co-creator. Expectations for transparency, revision, and citation increase as AI involvement grows.

Level 1: No AI Assistance
- No AI tools are used at any point.
- Students rely solely on their own knowledge and skills.
Level 2: AI-Assisted Brainstorming
- AI may help generate ideas or prompts.
- Final content is created by the student without direct AI text in the product.
- Any AI assistance must be cited.

Level 3: AI-Supported Drafting
- AI can assist with drafting initial versions.
- The final submission is substantially revised by the student.
- Clearly distinguish AI input from the student’s own contributions.
Level 4: AI-Collaborative Creation
- AI-generated content may be included in the final work.
- Students critically evaluate and edit AI contributions.
- AI use must be transparent and properly cited.
Level 5: AI as Co-Creator
- Extensive AI use is permitted with clear academic purpose.
- Student explains the rationale for AI use and demonstrates original thinking.
- All work follows academic integrity guidelines with correct citations.

Visual summary of the 5-Level AI Use Scale.

District-Approved AI Tools

Adobe Express

Adobe Express uses AI to help users to design, create, and edit content such as video, graphics, webpages, and photos.

Adobe Express is available for all students and staff.

Canva AI Assistant

Canva AI Assistant contains AI-powered features for designing presentations, creating images, and simple coding exercises.

Canva AI Assistant is available for all students and staff.

Magic School AI

MagicSchool.ai is an AI toolkit for K-12 educators that helps create lesson plans, rubrics, accommodations, and practice materials, supporting personalized learning and saving prep time when used under teacher guidance and district policies.

MagicSchool is available for all staff and students.

Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft Copilot is an AI assistant built into Microsoft 365 and the web that helps draft, summarize, find answers, and automate tasks using your organizational data and permissions, while maintaining privacy and security controls

Copilot is available for all staff. Copilot Chat for Students is available for all students over age 13.

Securly AI Chat

Securly AI Chat is an age-appropriate AI prompting platform, with the same monitoring and filtering that is in place for web browsing. Securly AI Chat allows student interactions to be monitoring for risky behavior and provides the same notifications as Securly Filter.

Securly AI Chat is available for all students and staff.

Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn what generative AI is, how it works, and how to support safe, responsible use in school and at home.

What is Generative AI?

Generative AI refers to artificial intelligence systems that can create new content, such as text, images, music, or code, based on the data they have been trained on. These systems use algorithms to generate outputs that mimic human creativity.

How Does Generative AI Work?

Generative AI works by learning patterns from large datasets. For example, an AI trained on thousands of images can generate new images based on the patterns it has learned. Similarly, an AI trained on text can write essays or stories.

Is Generative AI Safe for Children?

Yes, when used responsibly with adult guidance and age-appropriate tools.
Use school-approved tools with safety filters and parental controls.
Talk about ethical use, privacy, and what is allowed for each assignment.

What are the Benefits of Generative AI for Kids?

Supports creativity, brainstorming, language practice, and revision.
Offers personalized practice and quick feedback to build skills.
Improves accessibility (translation, captions, text-to-speech) for diverse learners.

What Risks are Associated with Generative AI?

Privacy and data sharing concerns. Avoid entering personal information.
Bias or misinformation. Always fact-check AI outputs.
Over-reliance. AI should support, and not replace core learning.

How Can I Introduce Generative AI to my Child?

Start with simple, age-appropriate tools and create together.
Model good prompts, checking sources, and citing AI use.
Set clear rules for time, tool choice, and what is appropriate.

How Can I Ensure my Child uses Generative AI Responsibly?

Follow teacher directions and district policy for each assignment.

Families - Generative AI in Student Learning: Dos and Don’ts

Use this guide to support responsible AI use in education at home and at school. Always follow teacher directions and district policy.

Dos

Model responsible use: Show when and how you use AI tools and explain your thinking.
Talk openly: Ask what tools your student uses and what each assignment allows; encourage citing AI support.
Support learning balanced: Use AI to brainstorm or practice, but complete core reading, writing, and problem-solving independently.
Understand ethics and safety: Discuss privacy, bias, age limits, and intellectual property; follow school guidelines.
Monitor use: Review outputs for accuracy, set time/place expectations, and check settings or history at school and home.

Don’ts

Don’t replace learning with AI: AI should support, not do, your student’s work.
Don’t over-rely on AI: Avoid using AI to complete assignments or make decisions for your student.
Don’t skip transparency: Ensure your student discloses AI use and follows citation rules.

Students - Generative AI at School: Dos and Don’ts

Use this guide to practice responsible AI use in education. Follow teacher directions, district policy, and academic integrity standards.

Dos

Choose the right tool: Consider whether AI is the best option for the task.
Ask your teacher first: If you are unsure whether AI is allowed for an assignment, get permission.
Be transparent and cite: Acknowledge AI use and clearly mark what content was generated by AI.
Keep learning: Stay informed about how AI works—its benefits, risks, and ethical use.

Don’ts

Don’t assume AI is correct: Double-check facts and numbers. You are responsible for accuracy.
Don’t harm or deceive: Never use AI to mislead, bully, or disparage others.
Don’t share private information: Do not enter personal data about yourself or others without proper consent and understanding of how it will be used.

K–12 Generative AI: Guides, Safety & Research

Explore trusted guides and research on how students can use generative AI safely, ethically, and effectively at school and at home.

OSPI

Comprehensive Human-Centered AI Guidance for K-12 Public Schools: The document provides Washington State’s human-centered framework for integrating AI in K–12 education, emphasizing that AI use should always begin with human inquiry, involve ethical safeguards, and conclude with human reflection and empowerment to ensure equity, safety, and academic integrity.

Common Sense Media

Parents’ Ultimate Guide to Generative AI: Plain-language overview for families explaining what generative AI is, how kids use it, and practical safety tips, privacy guidance, and schoolwork norms.
The Dawn of the AI Era: Teens, Parents, and the Adoption of Generative AI at Home and School: Research report with survey insights on teen and parent adoption, benefits, risks, and attitudes toward AI use in learning.
AI Companions Decoded: Common Sense Media Recommends AI Companion Safety Standards: Guidance on risks of AI “companion” apps and recommended safety standards for youth protection and parent oversight.

U.S. Department of Education

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning (PDF): Federal resource outlining opportunities, risks, privacy considerations, and recommendations for responsible AI use in K–12 education.

Parents Magazine

What Teens Say They Do and Don’t Use ChatGPT For: Parent-friendly look at how teens report using (and avoiding) ChatGPT for schoolwork, plus guidance for family conversations.

Forbes

How to Start Helping Your Teens Become AI Literate: Practical steps families can take to build AI literacy, critical thinking, and responsible technology habits for college and career readiness.