Managing AI Use in Basic Education: Preventing Overdependence and Protecting Independent Learning

AI tools can support learning when used correctly. However, in basic education, uncontrolled use quickly leads to dependency, weak foundational skills, and academic dishonesty. Our priority is clear: students must think, practice, and produce work independently. AI may be used only within defined limits and only when it strengthens—not replaces—learning.

This post outlines firm expectations for responsible AI use at home and in school.

1) Non-negotiable principle: Students must own the work

Students are expected to demonstrate their own understanding. Any tool that produces answers, paragraphs, solutions, or projects in place of the student’s thinking undermines learning and will not be accepted.

Rule: AI may assist the learning process, but it may not replace the student’s effort, reasoning, or writing.

2) Permitted vs. prohibited AI use (basic education)

Permitted (with teacher approval and within limits)

AI may be used for:

• Clarifying a concept after the student has attempted the task

• Generating additional practice questions for review

• Checking grammar, spelling, and clarity without rewriting the student’s work

• Suggesting an outline after the student has drafted their own ideas

• Providing hints or guiding questions (not full solutions)

Prohibited (not allowed)

AI may not be used for:

• Writing assignments, reflections, essays, reports, captions, or scripts for submission

• Solving math/science problems that are graded, especially without showing complete reasoning

• Producing “research,” citations, quotations, or references without verification

• Summarizing required readings in place of reading the text

• Completing performance tasks, projects, or take-home assessments on the student’s behalf

• Use during quizzes, tests, or examinations unless explicitly authorized

Submitting AI-generated work as one’s own is academic dishonesty.

3) Required safeguards: “Attempt first” and “show your thinking”

To prevent dependency, the following requirements apply:

A. Attempt-first requirement

Before any AI use, students must produce a first attempt (draft paragraph, solution attempt, outline, or notes). Work that shows no evidence of an attempt may be rejected and returned for completion.

B. Show-your-work requirement

• Writing: outline + draft + revisions must be available upon request.

• Math/Science: complete steps, explanations, and reasoning are required. If a student cannot explain their submission, it will be treated as incomplete.

C. Disclosure requirement (when allowed)

When AI is permitted, students must state:

• what tool was used,

• what was asked,

• what was changed after checking notes/textbook.

Failure to disclose when required may be treated as a violation.

4) Verification is mandatory: AI is not a source

AI can be inaccurate. Students must verify facts using:

• textbooks,

• teacher-provided materials,

• approved references.

Any incorrect or fabricated information (including fake citations) remains the student’s responsibility.

5) Assessment expectations: learning must be measurable

Teachers will use methods that require authentic student performance, such as:

• in-class writing and problem-solving,

• oral questioning or short defenses (“Explain your answer.”),

• draft checks and process-based grading,

• error analysis and reasoning tasks.

These measures are not punitive; they protect fairness and ensure real learning.

6) Parent responsibilities: prevent “homework outsourcing”

Parents/guardians are expected to support independent learning at home.

Recommended home rules:

• AI use only in a shared space

• student must show their first attempt before asking for AI help

• AI may be used for practice and feedback, not for producing final answers

• parents should ask the student to explain the work aloud before submission

A simple standard:

• If the student cannot explain it, the student did not learn it.

7) Data privacy and student safety

Students must not enter personal data, student records, photos of classmates, or any confidential school information into AI tools. Violations may result in disciplinary action.

Conclusion: AI use must strengthen learning, not replace it

We will not allow AI to weaken foundational skills. Students are expected to read, write, compute, and reason independently. AI may be used only within strict boundaries and only to support genuine learning.