Akron Public Schools will allow students to use artificial intelligence this school year in classrooms — when teachers permit it — but unauthorized use could be treated as plagiarism or academic dishonesty.
The updated policy was adopted at APS’ June 22 meeting, based broadly on the North East Ohio Learning Associates’ template, a requirement under the prior state budget bill. It had to be in place by July 1.
The new rules emphasize that people, not computers, remain responsible for important decisions within the district.
AI rules for classroom use
For students, AI will be treated much like any other classroom tool. Teachers will decide when AI may be used for assignments and will be expected to clearly communicate those expectations. Students must disclose and properly cite AI-assisted work when required, and using AI without permission may be treated as plagiarism or another form of academic dishonesty.
“We don’t want students to use AI to undermine their authentic learning,” Karen Stepic, APS’ Instructional Technology and Library Media Supervisor, said during a May 4 Policy Committee meeting. “It also will not be a substitute for student effort. … We don’t want to short-cut learning — there is that process, there is that struggle that you have to go through to really learn something and if AI just produces the answer for you, just because you know the answer doesn’t mean you actually learned something.”
AI tools may also be used to help students with disabilities access and understand written materials — such as software reading an assignment or creating transcripts or closed-captioning. Specific technologies are best addressed in Individual Education Plans, according to the policy.
Open-source AI models not recommened
Open-source AI models — which allow users to modify the system code and distribute it without requesting permission from its original developers — are not recommended for use in the district due to privacy concerns and the risk that data shared with the software could be used to train later AI programs.
Closed-source AI programs — like Google’s Gemini or MagicSchool — would be allowed.
The policy also acknowledges the limitations of AI-detection software, stating that it should not be used as the sole basis for accusing a student of cheating.
Outside the classroom, the new policy bans students and staff from using AI as a way to bully others through the creation of derogatory, threatening or false images. Violation of the policy may result in discipline, including suspension or expulsion for students or suspension or termination of staff employment.
Human oversight and student privacy
District employees must make the final decisions on how, and where, AI is used within the district.
The policy also places a strong emphasis on privacy and security. Only district-approved AI tools may be used, and any technology must undergo reviews for privacy, accessibility, legal compliance and data security before it can be adopted.
The district also says in the policy that student or employee information cannot be entered into AI systems unless APS has verified that the information will be protected and not used to train public AI models.
Oversight and ongoing review
To oversee implementation, the superintendent will establish an AI workgroup made up of educators, staff, students, board members and community representatives who will meet a minimum of four times per year. The district will also maintain a public inventory of approved AI tools and provide annual reports to the Board of Education on AI implementation, data privacy and any significant policy issues.
As AI tools become more commonplace in education and the workplace, the district’s policy is intended to prepare students to use the technology responsibly while protecting privacy, supporting academic integrity and ensuring that human judgment remains at the center of education.
