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February 17, 2025

School Leader’s Guide to A.I. Policies That Work

Artificial intelligence (A.I.) is no longer a futuristic concept. It’s here, and it’s reshaping education at every level. From personalized learning and automated grading to A.I.-generated essays and real-time tutoring, A.I. is making its mark in classrooms and school communities. Yet, in our conversations with school leaders and students, we’ve found that schools either lack clear A.I. policies or enforce them inconsistently, leaving students uncertain about what’s allowed. In fact, 42% of students report that their school has A.I. policies, but they aren’t clear, leading to confusion and uncertainty about what is acceptable.

At The Social Institute, we’ve worked with schools across the country and have seen how clear, well-structured A.I. policies can empower students to make informed, ethical decisions about technology. But we’ve also seen how unclear, inconsistent, or overly restrictive policies can create confusion, frustration, and even unintended academic violations. For example, a recent case in Massachusetts saw a student punished for using A.I. on a history paper, despite claims that it was only used for research, leading to a lawsuit against the school.

So how can schools bridge this gap? By developing student-friendly A.I. policies that equip students, educators, and families with the tools they need to navigate technology in positive, high-character ways. 

The State of A.I. in Schools

The influence of A.I. in education is growing at an unprecedented rate. Educators are already using A.I. to enhance lesson planning, automate administrative tasks, and personalize student learning.

In fact:

It’s clear that A.I. is reshaping classrooms, but its impact isn’t universally viewed as positive. Educators and school leaders remain divided:

  • 47% of educators believe A.I. could negatively impact teaching and learning, fearing it will diminish critical thinking and academic integrity.
  • Others see A.I. as a tool for personalized education, helping students learn at their own pace and improving accessibility for diverse learners.

While these perspectives vary, one fact remains: A.I. is here to stay. School leaders have the opportunity to create clear, empowering policies that equip students with the skills they need to navigate technology responsibly, both online and offline.

The Challenge: Schools Are Unprepared for A.I.’s Growth

A.I. has advanced faster than most schools’ ability to establish and enforce clear policies, leaving many students unsure of what’s allowed. 

As a result, some hesitate to ask questions, fearing they might unintentionally break the rules and face academic penalties. This uncertainty can create a culture of fear and avoidance rather than one of learning and high-character use.

In fact, 42% of students report that their school has A.I. policies, but they aren’t clear. Without clear guidelines, students are left guessing, which often leads to unintended violations of academic integrity. But there is a solution. By establishing clear, student-friendly policies, schools can foster a culture of curiosity, ethical decision-making, and responsible A.I. use empowering students to navigate technology with confidence.

Bridging the Gap: How Schools Can Clarify A.I. Policies

Developing an effective, student-friendly A.I. policy requires schools to move beyond a restrictive, rule-heavy approach to a proactive, educational one. Here’s how:

1. Use Clear, Simple Language

Students need to understand A.I. policies to be able to follow them. That means avoiding jargon and overly technical language.

  • Instead of: “A.I. assistance must align with established academic integrity principles.”
  • Say: “You may use A.I. for brainstorming ideas, but not for writing entire essays.”

2. Establish Consistent Rules Across Classrooms

One of the biggest sources of confusion is inconsistent enforcement when it comes to A.I. rules. Schools can develop a universal A.I. policy that applies to all teachers, rather than allowing individual educators to set conflicting rules.

  • Best Practice: Create a teacher handbook outlining school-wide A.I. policies to make sure they are consistently communicated to students.

3. Engage Students in Policy 

Students are more likely to understand and respect policies when they’ve had a role in shaping them. Schools can:

  • Host student focus groups to discuss A.I. usage and concerns.
  • Encourage student feedback on A.I. guidelines before finalizing policies.
  • Incorporate A.I. discussions into classroom discussions and lessons.

4. Communicate Policies Clearly and Frequently

By keeping the conversation open and ongoing, schools can help students, educators, and families feel informed, confident, and empowered to use A.I. responsibly. Here’s how:

  • Host advisory sessions where teachers review A.I. rules with students.
  • Include policy updates in school newsletters and websites.
  • Educate families through workshops and communications.

When A.I. policies are clear, consistent, and student-friendly, schools set the stage for responsible decision-making, ethical tech use, and future-ready skills. As technology continues to evolve, schools that embrace a positive, student-respected approach will not only clarify expectations but also equip students to make the most of A.I., both in and beyond the classroom.

Next Steps for School Leaders

Schools have a powerful opportunity to equip students with the knowledge and skills to navigate A.I. responsibly. By creating clear, consistent, and student-friendly policies, educators fuel innovation, high-character decision-making, and future-ready skills that empower students to thrive.

If your school has unclear or outdated A.I. policies, here are some steps to get started:

  • Step 1: Review your existing A.I. policy to make sure it’s clear and accessible.
  • Step 2: Organize student and educator discussions to gather input.
  • Step 3: Develop a communication plan to make sure everyone understands A.I. guidelines.
  • Step 4: Train educators on how to teach responsible A.I. use, not just enforce rules.

For more insights on preparing students to navigate A.I. responsibly, check out our School Playbook: Educator’s Guide for Equipping Students to Spot Deepfake A.I.-Generated Content.

The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in empowering students by understanding students. Through #WinAtSocial, our gamified, peer-to-peer learning platform, we equip students, educators, and families to navigate their social world – in the classroom and beyond, online and offline – in healthy, high-character ways. Our unique, student-respected approach empowers and equips, rather than scares and restricts. We incorporate timely topics about social media, tech use, and current events that are impacting student well-being and learning. #WinAtSocial Lessons teach life skills for the modern day, capture student voice, and provide school leaders with actionable insights. Through these insights, students play an essential role in school efforts to support their own health, happiness, and future success as we enable high-impact teaching, meaningful family conversations, and a healthy school culture.