AI Usage and Information
Using AI in the School District of West Salem
The School District of West Salem encourages students and staff to use AI as a tool for learning, creativity, and problem-solving. We are committed to providing clear expectations and support to ensure students develop strong AI literacy skills while using AI in a responsible and ethical way.
Teachers play an important role in helping students use AI appropriately. Clarity is kindness, and educators in the School District of West Salem will clearly communicate how AI can or cannot be used for each assignment. AI is a powerful accessibility tool for many of our students with disabilities and/or English Language Learners. Limiting the use of AI may adversely impact student learning and it shouldn’t be limited if it is a tool identified in their IEP.
The School District of West Salem is dedicated to making AI a positive and valuable part of education. Our goal is not just to allow AI use but to actively teach students how and when to use AI in a responsible way. Through clear guidelines, hands-on learning, and ethical discussions, we aim to help students develop the skills they need to navigate a world where AI is an essential tool.
Web 2.0 Applications and Tools
At West Salem School District, we continue to develop opportunities for our students to develop key digital literacies as part of our Digital Learning Plan. The most recent development in this effort is utilizing programs that are categorized as Web 2.0 applications and tools. These applications and tools go beyond the Google platform and allow students to create, learn, and share their knowledge on a variety of platforms. Web 2.0 tools also require the use of student data for access and tracking of materials and assignments so we want to make parents and guardians aware of the applications and tools we are using as well as what this means for student data privacy which is always a priority.
The following is a list of applications that your child may or may not use throughout the school year: A full list of these applications, along with their privacy policies can be found below:
Online Applications Utilized by Students and Privacy Statements
The above list is updated every summer for the following school year. It represents the applications that are planned to be used but keep in mind that new applications or resources may become available throughout the school year. Teachers may use Web 2.0 tools to enhance student learning. Some of these tools require parent permission for use by students under 13 to 18 years of age. The tools are categorized based on the company’s age policy as stated online.
COPPA applies any time personal information of children under the age of 13, such as a student’s name and email address, is collected by a website operator. Under COPPA, these websites must provide parental notification and obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children under the age of 13. The law permits schools to consent to the collection of personal information on behalf of parents of students, thereby eliminating the need for individual parental consent given directly to the website operator. (See http://www.ftc.gov/privacy/coppafaqs.shtm for further details)
West Salem School District - Board of Education Policies
Technology Policy - po7540
Digital Content and Accessibility - po7540.02
Student Technology Acceptable Use and Safety - po7540.03
Staff Technology Acceptable Use and Safety - po7540.04
Assistive Technology and Services - po7540.05
Artificial Intelligence Policy - po7540.08
Federal Laws and Policies
These are the federal laws and policies that help to protect our students online:
Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA) The school is required by CIPA to have technology measures and policies in place that protect students from harmful materials including those that are obscene and pornographic. This means that student email is filtered. -- CIPA - http://fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/cipa.html
Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) COPPA applies to commercial companies and limits their ability to collect personal information from children under 13. The school’s use of student information is solely for educational purposes. -- COPPA - http://www.ftc.gov/privacy/coppafaqs.shtm
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) FERPA protects the privacy of student education records and gives parents rights to review student records. Under FERPA, schools may disclose directory information (name, phone, address, grade level, etc...) but parents may request that the school not disclose this information. 1. The school will not publish confidential education records (grades, student ID #, etc...) for public viewing on the Internet. 2. The school may publish student work and photos for public viewing but will not publish student last names or other personally identifiable information. 3. Parents may request that photos, names and general directory information about their children not be published. 4. Parents have the right at any time to investigate the contents of their child’s email and Apps for Education files. -- FERPA - http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa [AN1] Under FERPA and corresponding Wisconsin law, a student's education records are protected from disclosure to third parties.
*For any questions or further information on the above, please contact the Director of Technology