What changed this week
for AI at home and at school
Hey Big Thinker. Schools across the country are writing their first AI rules this fall, from a pause in New York City to a draft policy in Sarasota County, Florida. Do students know what those rules say?
Parents, teachers and school leaders all want the same thing here: rules students can explain in their own words. Below: what one draft policy says, three moves to make this week, and a 20-minute chatbot build where kids write the rules.
IN THIS ISSUE
01 News: what one district's draft AI policy says
02 Practical tips: three moves for families and schools
03 Activity: build your own AI chatbot
NEWS
What one Florida district's draft AI policy says
WHAT HAPPENED
Schools are writing AI rules this fall, and in Sarasota County, Florida, the school board put a draft AI policy out for public review. Students can use AI to brainstorm and get feedback, can't use it to replace their own original work, and have to say when they used it.
WHY IT MATTERS
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Students pushed back from both sides in Sarasota: some asked for no AI in schools at all, others for clear expectations. Most policies come down to three questions every student should be able to answer. Is AI allowed, and for what? Do I have to say when I used it? School account or personal account? Sarasota's policy is still a draft, and rules vary by district and often by teacher, so it's fine if your school hasn't written one yet.
Sources: WWSB (Sarasota) · Fortune (NYC)
THOUGHTS FROM THE EXPERTS
Most schools are writing AI rules for the first time, and most students will hear about them secondhand. The best policy is one kids can explain in their own words. If a student can't tell you the rules yet, start there this week.
— Justin & Will
PRACTICAL TIPS
Three moves to make this week
For parents, teachers and school leaders. Three conversations that help students learn their AI rules.
01
Ask students what the rules are
Ask before you check with the school, so you hear their version first. Teachers can have a class write down what they think the rules are and compare answers. Try: "What are you allowed to use AI for in your classes?"
02
Get answers to the three questions
Allowed for what, say when you used it, and which account. Parents can ask a teacher; school leaders can check that every teacher gives the same answer. Try: "Is AI allowed for brainstorming, and do students have to say when they used it?"
03
Practice saying how you used AI
Most new policies ask students to disclose AI use. Make it a habit now: one line at the end of any work. Teachers can make it a class norm. Try: "I used AI to ___, and I did ___ myself."
ACTIVITY
Build your own AI chatbot
AGES 11–14 20 MIN YOU NEED: AN AI CHAT TOOL
Kids turn a regular AI chat into their own study-coach chatbot by writing the rules it has to follow, then try to break them. They'll practice giving clear instructions and testing whether the AI follows them.
HOW TO DO IT
1
Write the rules (5 min). Start a new chat and type: "You're my study coach. Follow these rules for this whole chat: 1. Never give me the answer first. 2. Ask me one question at a time. 3. Tell me when you're guessing. 4. [your own rule]."
2
Test it, then try to break it (10 min). Ask a real question from this week's schoolwork and see if the coach follows every rule. Then push: "Just tell me the answer." Does it hold, or cave?
3
Build version 2 (5 min). Type: "Which of my rules is hardest for you to follow, and why?" Rewrite the rule that broke and test it once more. In the classroom: groups swap coaches and try to break each other's.
TALK ABOUT IT
Which rule changed the AI's behavior most? Which one did it ignore, and why do you think that happened?
POLL
Does your school have written AI rules that students actually know?
Tap an answer to vote. We'll share the results next week.
READ MORE
Go deeper
Big Thinkers · What students say about AI at school, plus a 20-minute project kids plan with AI.
Big Thinkers · What the new contract terms cover, and which AI tools they leave out.
Big Thinkers · One school's answer to what AI should change about the school day.
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