Student Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that students at MCSD Lighthouse Virtual Academy use artificial intelligence (AI) tools responsibly, ethically, and in alignment with academic integrity expectations.

AI tools may support learning when used appropriately; however, unauthorized or undisclosed use may compromise the validity of student work, constitute academic dishonesty, and limit authentic student growth.

2. Definition of AI Tools

For the purposes of this policy, “AI tools” include, but are not limited to:

• Chatbots and generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot, etc…)

• Essay, paragraph, or text-generating platforms

• Image, video, code, or multimedia generators

• Automatic writing, rewriting, or problem-solving assistants

• Tools embedded in websites, applications, or search engines that produce content for the user

3. Authorized Student Uses of AI

Students may use AI tools only when explicitly permitted by the teacher or stated in the assignment directions. When authorized, AI may be used for the following purposes:

• Idea Generation

  • Brainstorming topics, outlines, research questions, or introductions.

• Clarification

  • Explaining, summarizing, or restating instructions, concepts, or directions.

• Skill Support

  • Receiving grammar suggestions, organization tips, or feedback on student-written work.

• Study Assistance

  • Reviewing vocabulary, practicing sample questions, or reinforcing course content.

• Planning

  • Supporting time-management, scheduling, or creation of study plans.

When AI is used for authorized purposes, students must provide attribution in accordance with Section 6.

4. Prohibited Uses of AI

Unless explicitly authorized by the teacher, students may not use AI tools to:

• Generate graded work

  • Including essays, explanations, lab reports, presentations, images, code, solutions, or projects.

• Rewrite, paraphrase, or “improve” full assignments

  • Replacing student writing with AI-generated writing is prohibited.

• Solve tests, quizzes, or assessments

  • Including multiple-choice, short-answer, math problems, or performance tasks.

• Create evidence, or sources

  • AI tools may fabricate sources; doing so is considered academic dishonesty.

• Submit AI content as original student work

  • Whether partially or fully AI-generated.

• Hide or disguise academic dishonesty

  • Including altering text to evade detection or producing false work histories.

Unauthorized AI use will be treated as plagiarism or cheating under the school’s academic integrity expectations.

5. Teacher-Directed AI Use

Teachers may determine how AI is used within their courses. This may include:

• Allowing AI for specific steps of an assignment

• Requiring students to compare AI output with original student work

• Assigning students to evaluate AI accuracy or identify errors

• Prohibiting AI use entirely for particular lessons, modules, or assessments

• Requiring documentation of AI use

Teachers will clearly communicate expectations for AI use in each assignment.

6. Required Disclosure When AI Is Used

When AI use is permitted, students must include an AI Use Statement at the end of the assignment.

The AI Use Statement must include:

1. The AI tool used

2. The purpose for using the tool

3. The exact prompt(s) or question(s) entered

4. A copy or screenshot of AI-generated output (if required by the teacher)

Example A.I. Use Statement

“I used ChatGPT to explain photosynthesis. Prompt used: ‘Explain photosynthesis for a 7th grader.’ I did not copy the AI output into my written response.”

Failure to disclose authorized AI use may still be considered an academic integrity violation.

7. Academic Integrity and Consequences

Unauthorized or undisclosed use of AI may result in consequences including, but not limited to:

• Requirement to redo the assignment

• Reduced or failing grade

• Parent/guardian notification

• Academic integrity referral

• Additional assigned skill-building work

• Administrative conference

The severity of consequences will align with the seriousness and frequency of the offense.

8. Digital Work Verification

To protect academic integrity, teachers and administrators may verify student work through:

• Google Docs or LMS revision history

• Time-on-task documentation

• Comparison to prior student writing samples

• Brief oral explanations (“defense checks”)

• Review of citations and sources for accuracy

No student consequence will be based solely on an AI-detection tool.

9. Student Responsibilities

Students are expected to:

• Follow AI guidelines for each class and assignment

• Ask the teacher if unsure whether AI is permitted

• Submit an AI Use Statement when required

• Maintain honesty and integrity in all coursework

10. Parent/Guardian Expectations

Parents/guardians are encouraged to:

• Support students in completing their own work

• Promote responsible and ethical technology use

• Review school expectations with their student

• Contact teachers or administrators with questions

11. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure alignment with evolving technology, district expectations, and best practices in digital learning.