To provide your student with the most effective learning experience, our district utilizes several industry-standard digital tools, such as Google for Education, as primary instructional resources. Some tools require consent due to the collection of basic student information involved in the educational process.  We take your child’s data security seriously and ensure all approved tools meet rigorous privacy standards.

Google Workspace for Education

WCPS provides a Google account for all students. This account is required to sign into Chromebook and to access a wider variety of tools that support teaching and learning. This account is a privilege, not a right, and students should have no expectation of privacy when using their school-issued Google accounts.

Google requires parent/guardian permission for student access for specific apps. These permissions will be collected as part of the online registration/parent permission forms process.

Student accounts are deactivated within 30 days of graduation or withdrawl from the division.

Division Approved Digital Tools

WCPS utilizes a vetting process for all Division purchased digital resources. The process evaluates alignment to the Virginia Standards of Learning, Cost, Technical Compatibility, and adherence to Student Data Privacy Laws/Policies. WCPS procures Data Privacy Agreements with vendors.

Platforms/Tools that involve the collection of basic student information to function may require consent. Below is a list of all Division Approved Resources. Click on the "+" to view additional information on each product.

Warren County Public Schools Generative AI Guide

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an emerging technology that offers new opportunities to enhance teaching and learning. Warren County Public Schools approach to the use of AI remains grounded in the same principles that guide all educational technology. Just as with the internet and other digital platforms, the responsible use of AI must adhere to all Federal and State data privacy laws, Division policies, and the Student Code of Conduct. As educators, we share the responsibility to model and teach students how to use all technologies, including AI, thoughtfully, safely, and purposefully to enrich learning in a digital world.

These guidelines are intended to help the division navigate AI in ways that protect student data, support effective instruction, and uphold ethical standards. This document and all associated resources will continue to be updated as the technology evolves and our understanding of AI grows. Furthermore, our approach aligns with the Division’s long-range educational technology plan, ensuring that AI integration is not a standalone initiative but a core component of our broader mission to prepare students for a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

What Generative AI Is

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a type of computer program that can create new and original content, instead of just analyzing or sorting existing information.  Generative AI learns patterns from massive amounts of data such as text books, images from the internet, or music then uses those patterns to generate something new in response to a prompt or request from a person.

Benefits and Challenges of AI

Benefits

• Increased Efficiency - automates time-consuming administrative tasks such as drafting lesson plans, creating rubrics, and generating quiz questions. 

• Data Processing - analyzes vast amounts of performance data to identify specific learning gaps or trends, enabling teachers to adjust their instruction in real-time to meet class needs.

• Support - serves as a creative assistant that can instantly differentiate a single lesson into multiple versions for different reading levels, providing "built-in" support for diverse classrooms.

Challenges

• Equity - May contain biases which the user must be able to identify, may widen the digital divide for students that are not provided proper access to training and tools.

• Data Privacy - The risk of vendors accessing identifiable data exists when using unapproved tools.  WCPS has a list of approved tools with vendors that are vetted and maintain data privacy safeguards.  

• Responsible Use - Educating Staff and students on the responsible use of AI, data privacy and the benefits and challenges it poses is a key part in responsible use. 

AI in WCPS

Learning Opportunities

Educators are provided hands-on Professional Development on all technologies available for WCPS.  This includes AI.  All teachers will learn about what AI is, how it can be used for lesson planning and how it can be used with students.  Specific tools that are available for student use are listed in the WCPS approved list.  

Learning opportunities will also be provided to students on how to use available technologies practically and ethically.  This will include understanding what AI is, how it works, and how to identify and mitigate algorithmic bias.  Learning about AI will be part of the beginning of the year digital citizenship lessons students have as part of receiving chromebooks. Continued education will be provided by teachers, integrated into instruction, in much the same way teaching students how to read, write, analyze, collaborate, create, and be better humans is part of our professional responsibilities. 

Approved Resources:  Staff and students should only use supported tools that are provided by the division.  All digital tools that are approved for district use as well as supplemental materials approved at specific schools, including AI tools, can be located in the WCPS Approved Digital Resource List.  All resources on the list have gone through the WCPS vetting process and are available for use.  Some resources have restrictions on their use.  These are outlined in the conditions section and can include requirements such as parental consent, subject, or grade level.   Approved resources are not the same as consumer versions.  Consumer versions (free or paid) of any generative AI tool should not be used for WCPS purposes.  Any additional supplemental digital resources that require students to log in in any capacity must also be vetted and approved by the building Administration prior to use. The Technology Integration Coaches that serve each building work with teachers on how to navigate this process. 

Appropriate Use: The WCPS Handbook highlights many of the pertinent policies that all of the systems users are expected to follow.  These include adhering to student data privacy laws such as FERPA and COPPA and following division policies such as Acceptable Computer Use, Technology Use Guidelines, and Use of Personally Owned Devices.  Identifiable student information should never be entered into AI.  This includes but is not limited to names, student numbers, birth dates, and student photos.  

Students are expected to adhere to the same Technology Use Guidelines.  Additionally, Section III of the Student Handbook emphasizes that students are expected to perform honestly on schoolwork and tests. 

Responsible use also involves ongoing stakeholder conversations through the Technology Committee where WCPS is committed to engaging with parents, families, and community leaders to ensure our AI integration reflects local values and prepares students for the future workforce.

Teacher Use

To support a safe learning environment, teachers will commit to:

• Protecting the privacy of personally identifiable information about themselves and students with any Generative AI tool. This includes not sharing students names, student identification numbers, photos or other personal information with AI tools. 

• Using only classroom resources that are on the approved list or supplemental materials that have been vetted through their schools.

• Leverage AI learning opportunities for students and staff.

• Being transparent about how and why they are using these tools to support instruction.

• Evaluating the output created by Generative AI to ensure its accuracy, alignment to professional standards, and biases.

• Restricting use for placement decisions and grading decisions. 

Student Use

To support a safe learning environment, students will commit to:

• Using tools to enhance their learning and creativity responsibly

• Collaborating with teachers and peers to learn about teamwork

• Practicing good digital citizenship behaviors and using technology responsibly

• Being transparent about how and why they are using these tools to support their own learning.

Tiers of Use

Use of Generative AI is not required unless stated in the Standards of Learning or Career and Technical Educational Competencies but finding opportunities to help students understand the capabilities and limitations of AI as responsible citizens is essential.  When assignments require students to create a product students will need to know if and how AI can be used as a tool.  Teachers can use the following tiers to help communicate which tier applies to an assignment. 

1. No Generative AI (RED): The student may not use AI on the assignment.  Best for when a teacher wants a clear picture of what a student currently knows or can do. 

2. Generative AI as a Collaborator (YELLOW): The student may use AI to get feedback, generate ideas, and to refine their thinking. 

3. Generative AI as a Requirement  (GREEN): The student will be required to use AI as a coach, collaborator and data analyst to help generate ideas, make revisions, and identify trends.

Citing AI

When a student uses generative AI as a tool they should cite it as a source.  AI should be cited like any other source.  Information about how to cite AI in MLA or APA online.