Parent Communication Letter - Lesson 14: Responsible AI Policy

[Date]

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I am writing to share information about an important lesson your child will be participating in as part of our digital citizenship curriculum. The lesson, titled "Responsible AI: Building an AI Use Policy for Your School," asks students to research, discuss, and collaboratively draft a responsible AI use policy. This is one of the most relevant and timely topics in education today, and we believe students deserve a voice in the conversation.

As you likely know, artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and others have rapidly become part of everyday life - including school life. Students across the country are using these tools, often without clear guidance about when AI use is appropriate and when it crosses the line into academic dishonesty. Schools are working to develop thoughtful policies, and this lesson gives students the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to that process.

What Your Child Will Learn and Do

During this 90-minute lesson, students will:

Evaluate real-world AI scenarios involving academic integrity, privacy, and fairness - debating whether specific AI uses are acceptable, unacceptable, or context-dependent
Research existing AI policies from real schools and universities (including Stanford, MIT, NYC Public Schools, and the International Baccalaureate program)
Take on stakeholder roles (student, teacher, parent, administrator) to understand the different perspectives and concerns involved in AI policy
Collaboratively draft a comprehensive AI use policy addressing acceptable uses, prohibited uses, citation requirements, privacy protections, equity, and consequences
Present and defend their policy using evidence-based reasoning, and vote on the strongest provisions from across all groups

Why This Lesson Matters

Your child is growing up in a world where AI is integrated into nearly every industry and profession. Learning to use AI tools responsibly - understanding both their power and their risks - is becoming as essential as learning to evaluate sources on the internet or use a calculator appropriately. This lesson develops critical thinking, research skills, persuasive argumentation, and civic engagement, all while addressing one of the most pressing questions in education today.

Importantly, this lesson is not about teaching students to use AI tools for schoolwork. It is about helping them think critically about when, how, and whether AI should be used in educational settings, and giving them the skills to participate in creating fair, thoughtful rules.

A Note About the Parent Stakeholder Role

During one activity, a student in each group will be asked to represent the "parent perspective" on AI in education. The role-play is designed to help students understand that parents have legitimate concerns about AI - including questions about education quality, student safety, privacy, and preparation for the future. We want students to take this perspective seriously and to understand that good policy requires hearing from all stakeholders.

Conversation Starters for Home

We encourage you to discuss this topic with your child. Here are some questions to start the conversation:

"Have you used AI tools for schoolwork? When, and how?"
"How do you decide when it's okay to use AI and when it isn't?"
"What do you think should happen if a student uses AI to write a whole paper and turns it in as their own?"
"What concerns would you have as a parent about AI in your child's school?"
"What was the most surprising thing you learned from the lesson?"
"If you could add one rule to your school's AI policy, what would it be?"

How You Can Support This Learning

Talk openly about AI: Share your own experiences with AI tools at work or at home. Ask your child what they know about AI and what they think about its role in education
Discuss family expectations: Consider establishing your own family guidelines about AI use for homework. This lesson can be a springboard for that conversation
Encourage critical thinking: AI is a powerful tool, but it's not always accurate. Encourage your child to think critically about AI output, just as they should think critically about any source of information
Stay informed: AI in education is evolving rapidly. Check your school's website or contact us for the latest information about AI policies and practices

Looking Ahead

As an extension of this lesson, students may have the opportunity to compile their best policy provisions into a student-drafted recommendation and present it to school administration. We believe that students' voices are essential in shaping the policies that affect them, and we are excited about the possibility of our students contributing to this important conversation at the school and district level.

If you have any questions or concerns about this lesson, or if you would like to discuss your family's approach to AI in education, please do not hesitate to contact me. I welcome the opportunity to partner with you in helping your child navigate this important topic.

Thank you for your continued partnership in your child's education.

Sincerely,

[Teacher Name]

[Subject/Grade Level]

Contact Information

Email: [teacher.email@school.edu]
Phone: [School Phone Number]
Best Time to Reach: [Your availability]