Ogden school leaders outline AI-readiness plan, propose vetted tools and student AI acknowledgment

District staff presented the results of an AI-readiness committee and proposed a formal vetting process for generative-AI tools to be used in classrooms. The committee, which included teachers, students and administrators, surveyed staff and students and recommended (1) clear guidelines to preserve academic integrity, (2) data-protection screening for tools, and (3) professional development for teachers to use approved tools safely.

Staff summarized the five core themes from the staff survey — AI as a time-saver for teachers, the need for clear rules, preserving the human element, ensuring academic integrity, and eagerness to learn — and similar student concerns about data protection and proper use. The district cited its existing policy 605.8 and regulation 605 AR1 but said operational guidelines and a vetting process were not yet in place.

Using a rubric, staff proposed approving a closed-loop tool (Google Gemini, the district’s Google environment) while discouraging use of unvetted public tools such as the free version of ChatGPT because student-entered data may not be protected. Staff also presented an "AI acknowledgement" statement intended for graded student submissions so teachers and students can be transparent about AI use; some board members expressed concern that the acknowledgement could be difficult to monitor and might be unduly burdensome if applied beyond student work.

Staff said next steps are to finalize vetting criteria, publish an approved-tools list, provide professional development before the 2026–27 school year, and update handbooks and regulations as Department of Education guidance is released.