The group discussed the pros and cons of AI usage
By LAURA MACK lmack@chronicle-tribune.com
Jan 8, 2025
Updated
FAIRMOUNT — Members of the school board at Madison-Grant took time during Monday night’s meeting to discuss drafting a policy that deals with artificial intelligence (AI) usage in the classroom.
District Superintendent Steven Vore led the conversation, as the group talked about how AI technology can enhance the learning experience.
“It’s a hot topic, but we’re at a point in time where we’ve got to devise official guidelines [and] administrative guidelines for AI,” Vore said.
Vore explained that there would be sections explaining how teachers handle AI use and how students will handle using AI for classroom assignments.
He said it is important to give students tools to navigate using AI technology in ways that enhance their work.
“It’s important to learn that [for] when they go to college, whatever they end up doing, how they can handle AI,” Vore said.
The board received a document covering the topic to read beforehand, and Vore explained that the board would build up the first reading during the next public session.
Vore described the draft as “pretty good” and noted to members of the board that he “didn’t use AI to develop it.”
The governing body asked questions and discussed what measures should be in place if students claim their work is their own and did not use AI to produce it.
Vore said the district has a program that can evaluate if AI has been used. He also gave an example of one teacher had students write a resume and then use AI to make improvements to the work.
“It’s a great tool to teach [students] how to write,” the superintendent said.
The governing body agreed to vote on approving an official policy during the next board meeting.
During other superintendent updates, Vore also shared a report on state graduation rates for last year. Graduation rates for 2024 were “the highest on record,” the superintendent said.
He went on to note that graduation rates last year rose by two percentage points, increasing from 88 percent to 90 percent.
The next Madison-Grant School Board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20 in the conference room at the high school. The board will hold an executive session the same night following the conclusion of the public meeting.