Allowable Use Statements for Gen AI
Guidance that support districts and charters in understanding and implementing instructional AI tools
Allowable Use
Allowable use statements and in-class use policies serve distinct but complementary purposes. While in-class use policies guide students’ day-to-day interactions with Gen AI tools (e.g., the Red/Yellow/Green system), allowable use statements provide a broader framework for permissible use across district, school, and classroom levels. These statements establish foundational expectations for ethical and responsible engagement with Gen AI technologies, ensuring consistency and clarity for all stakeholders.
Levels of Allowable Use
To provide a structured approach to Gen AI integration, it is helpful to consider allowable use at different levels: district, school, and classroom. Table 1 on page 6 offers examples of allowable use statements for each audience, using the student commitment as a foundation.
Developing Allowable Use Statements
The development of effective allowable use statements for Gen AI in education should focus on the four key policy areas of the Delaware Generative AI in the K-12 Classroom Guidance (p.12): protecting student data, ensuring ethical Gen AI use, promoting equity, and enhancing learning. Utilizing the SAMR framework, educators can guide the integration of Gen AI from basic Substitution to transformative Redefinition, ensuring each step aligns with these critical policies (see AI and the SAMR model on page 18 of the Delaware Generative AI in the K-12 Classroom Guidance). These statements must clearly define permissible Gen AI activities and the consequences of misuse while emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations and equitable access to technology. By regularly updating these guidelines and providing comprehensive training, educators can ensure that Gen AI meets instructional goals, adheres to ethical standards, safeguards student data, and promotes an equitable learning environment where technology is a tool for educational enhancement rather than a barrier.
Allowable Use Statement Examples for School Districts, Charter Schools, and Classroom Educators
Allowable Use Statement Examples for School Districts, Charter Schools, and Classroom Educators
| Level | Allowable Use Statement Example |
|---|---|
| District | The district strives to ensure that Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) tools are integrated responsibly into instruction. All educators will receive training on ethical Gen AI usage, and guidelines will be established to protect student privacy and academic integrity. The district will continuously update these protocols as Gen AI continues to advance. |
| School | The school will develop Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) usage procedures that align with district guidelines while addressing the unique needs of its students and educators. Teachers are encouraged to use Gen AI tools to enhance instruction, provided that the tools are used ethically and responsibly. The school will also provide ongoing support for educators to learn about advancements in Gen AI tools and their appropriate applications. |
| Classroom | Teachers will use Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) tools to support student learning ethically and responsibly, aligned with educational objectives. This includes guiding students on the appropriate use of Gen AI, ensuring that Gen AI contributions are appropriately credited, maintaining a focus on privacy and respect for all individuals in the classroom, and aligning with instructional goals. Teachers will adopt a traffic light system to guide students on when and how Gen AI can be used in the school (See Carrie Nielsen – Red/Yellow/Green Classroom Gen AI Policy).
Students are expected to use Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) tools to support their learning. This includes respecting privacy, crediting Gen AI contributions appropriately, and ensuring that Gen AI is used for educational purposes. |
Detailed Allowable Use Statement Examples
Detailed Allowable Use Statement Examples
These two separate agreements below (one for students and one for educators) outline commitments to responsible use, respect, academic integrity, privacy protection, ongoing learning, and issue reporting, serving as a template for schools to adapt.
Student Commitment Example (adapted from Washington State OSPI)
Student Commitment Example (adapted from Washington State OSPI)
As a student at , I, , commit to the following:
- Responsible Use: I will use Gen AI tools responsibly and solely for educational purposes. I acknowledge that any misuse or malicious use of Gen AI tools is unacceptable and may lead to disciplinary measures.
- Respect for Others: I will not use Gen AI to harm, deceive, or belittle others. I will uphold everyone’s privacy and dignity.
- Academic Integrity: I will maintain integrity in my academic work by appropriately crediting assistance from Gen AI. I understand the need to indicate any contributions made by Gen AI.
- Privacy Protection: I will be vigilant about my privacy and the privacy of others when using Gen AI.
- Ongoing Learning: I recognize that Gen AI is a continuously advancing technology. I am committed to ongoing learning about Gen AI, its potential impacts, and ethical usage to ensure I am always using it responsibly.
- Reporting Issues: I understand how important it is to be in this commitment. I will immediately report any issues or potential violations to a teacher or school administrator to ensure Gen AI’s responsible and ethical use within our school community. By signing this commitment, I pledge to abide by these principles, recognizing their importance for ethical Gen AI usage within our school community.
Educator Commitment Example (adapted from Washington State OSPI)
Educator Commitment Example (adapted from Washington State OSPI)
In our class, I encourage using Gen AI tools such as ChatGPT, Anthropic, Canva, and others for specific activities and projects. Gaining proficiency in Gen AI is an essential modern skill, and I’ll provide guidance and lessons on utilizing these tools effectively. Here are some important considerations for using Gen AI tools like ChatGPT:
- Effort is Key: The quality of your results from Gen AI largely depends on how thoughtfully you craft your prompts. It takes practice and patience to refine this skill.
- Verify Gen AI Outputs: Do not accept facts or data Gen AI provides without verification. You are responsible for the accuracy of the information you incorporate into your work.
- Credit Gen AI Contributions: Always disclose Gen AI’s role in your work. At the end of any project or assignment that involves Gen AI, include a brief description of how and why you used it, the prompts you utilized, and any appropriate attribution. Please do so to maintain the honesty of your work.
- Thoughtful Use of Gen AI: While Gen AI can be a handy tool, some tasks have better solutions. Assess whether Gen AI is the most appropriate tool for what you are trying to achieve.
