Artificial Intelligence

Copilot is a Microsoft-powered AI chatbot. This tool is available to students in grades 8-12. The chatbot assists with writing, brainstorming, summarizing, and other academic tasks.

The following safeguards are built into the chatbot by Microsoft:

• Age-based filtering for inappropriate content
• Privacy protections aligned with Microsoft’s education standards
• No data sharing with advertisers or third parties

Copilot is available on student laptops through the Edge internet browser.

Colleague AI is designed for classroom use only. This tool is available to students in grades 6-12 and provides tutoring-style support by guiding students through ideas, offering feedback, and helping students think critically.

The tool actively monitors for safety by filtering for prompts like self-harm, abuse, and threats. Notifications are sent to teachers and school counselors when inappropriate content is detected and flagged.

Colleague AI is only available to students in the classroom. Students cannot access independently unless set up by a teacher.

The district has spent over two years preparing to implement AI in ways that are safe, responsible, and supportive of student learning. This work has involved teachers, students, families, and community partners. The following are examples of the work and collaboration leading up to using AI in the classroom:

• Listening Sessions: Families, staff, and community members were invited to share their hopes, concerns, and questions about AI. Their feedback helped shape the district’s implementation plan and communication.
• AI Committee: A team of educators and leaders created a clear vision and plan for integrating AI in classrooms, emphasizing ethics, inclusion, and student success.
• Teacher Training: Staff received professional development on how to use AI tools responsibly and effectively to support learning and teaching.
• Prepared Students: Before the Oct. 20 launch of Copilot and Colleague AI tools, students complete a required lesson that teaches responsible use, safety, and digital citizenship.
• Policies, Regulations, and District Handbook: The district revised its student handbook and technology policies to clearly outline expectations for safe and appropriate AI use.
• Strategic Partnerships: Tacoma collaborated with organizations such as Microsoft, Colleague AI, and the University of Washington to co-create tools and increase access. These collaborations helped lower costs and enhanced usability for staff and students.

These efforts ensure AI is used to enhance learning while protecting student safety, privacy, and academic integrity.

Tacoma Public Schools collaborates with teachers, students, and families to ensure AI is used safely and responsibly. The goal is to empower students and educators to:

• help students become responsible digital citizens who are prepared for college, careers, and civic life, this reflects the district’s long-term mission to prepare students for success beyond school.
• promote the ethical use of AI, ensure all students have access to safe, fair, and meaningful learning experiences with AI.
• make learning more engaging and personalized for students, supports day-to-day classroom instruction and meets diverse learning needs.
• promote creativity and innovation in the classroom, it encourages exploration, imagination, and future-ready thinking.

Students should follow their teacher’s guidelines and use AI as a tool to support learning, not a shortcut. Here's a helpful guide from our teacher training that outlines different levels of AI use approved by the teacher:

• 0% AI Use: No AI allowed (e.g., personal reflections, assessments)
• 25% AI Use: AI for brainstorming or generating ideas
• 50% AI Use: AI used for drafting, with student revision and reflection
• 75% AI Use: AI used for structure and support, with student input and editing
• 100% AI Use: Content generated by AI with student review, reflection, and teacher approval

Using AI responsibly involves using it as a tool to enhance learning and understanding.

Appropriate Use:

• Asking AI to help brainstorm ideas for a science project.
• Using AI to summarize a long article before writing a response.
• Getting feedback on grammar or sentence structure.
• Translating complex language for better understanding.

Inappropriate Use:

• Asking AI to write an entire essay and submitting it as your own.
• Using AI to cheat on tests or assignments.
• Asking AI about harmful or unsafe topics.

By using AI responsibly, students can benefit from its capabilities while maintaining academic integrity and safety.

Parents can play an important role in guiding their children to use AI responsibly. Here are some ways families can encourage proper AI use:

• Engage in Conversations: Talk with your child about how they’re using AI in school and what they’ve learned from classroom lessons on responsible use.
• Reinforce AI as a Learning Tool: Stress that AI is meant to assist learning, not serve as a shortcut or substitute for individual effort.
• Explore Together: Spend time exploring AI tools together at home and discuss what feels helpful or concerning. By staying involved and informed, parents can help ensure their children use AI in ways that support their learning and development.
• Use Reliable Resources: Ensure you rely on trusted sources for information and guidance on AI use.
  • Teaching How AI Works to K-8 Students
  • Edutopia: Teaching Students to Use AI Responsibly
  • ISTE: 5 Tips for Using AI in the Classroom
  • Edutopia: Defining Acceptable AI Use
  • Edutopia: AI Literacy for Students

Tacoma Public Schools has revised its District Handbook, policies, and regulations to ensure responsible and ethical AI use in classrooms. These updates include:

• District Handbook: Outlined in the District Handbook, including guided AI lesson for all secondary students involved, and confirming that they understand the district handbook and AI guidance.
• Policy 2022 and 2022R: Covers acceptable and unacceptable use of digital tools, including AI, with an emphasis on educational purpose, safety, and integrity. 2022 - Electronic Resources and Internet Safety and 2022R - Electronic Resources and Internet Safety
• Policy 6300 and 6300R: Emphasizes data security and responsible technology use, including AI. 6300 - Data Security and 6300R - Data Security