The Delaware Department of Education has developed guidance for districts and charter schools on the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in the classroom.
The guidance is the result of an eight month-long collaborative effort with the state’s Council on Educational Technology and its Generative AI Subcommittee. The new document outlines the benefits of AI as well as its risks. The document also suggests strategies for addressing this challenge with the goal of helping districts/charters develop local policies.
“Artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving, and, quite honestly, our students sometimes are ahead of us in this realm,” Delaware Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said. “We aim to support our educators with information on what AI is and how it can be safely and ethically integrated into the classroom to support education as well as strategies for addressing academic dishonesty. We encourage districts and charter schools to develop local policies to address AI use in their schools.”
In the guidance, the Department of Education stresses the benefits that GenAI, and AI more broadly, can bring to the K-12 classroom, including efficiency and speed to analyze data and error reduction. However, the guidance also encourages educators and school leaders to properly weigh the negatives associated with AI, including privacy concerns, lack of creativity, and ethical concerns. Regarding student learning, the document cites benefits to AI if used properly such as the ability to personalize content, support student creativity, provide tutoring, and help students with critical thinking and future skills. It also notes risks such as plagiarism and cheating, misinformation, social bias, bullying and harassment, overreliance on AI models, and unequal access to AI tools.
“School districts and charter schools are positioned to leverage generative AI as a transformative tool within an established framework that prioritizes student safety, educational integrity, and evidence-based instructional methodologies,” the report says. “The integration of generative AI may not necessitate the creation of new policies but rather the extension of existing policies to address emerging concerns.”
The Department of Education said the guidance document is designed to be a living document, noting that the guidance will continue to be updated as new issues emerge and more information is available.
“The journey ahead is not without its challenges. The rapid evolution of this technology demands continuous learning and adaptation,” the guidance says. “However, by prioritizing professional learning and support for our educators, we can ensure they are well-prepared to guide our students in navigating the complexities of a technology-driven world.”
