LAUSD adopts moratorium on student AI use, another big move to limit classroom computer use
This is read by an automated voice.Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
See more from the L.A.Times in Google Search.
Set us as preferred L.A.Unified has adopted a moratorium on student use of generative artificial intelligence for the current school year, officials said Wednesday, another in the school district’s pioneering decisions to limit computer use in classrooms amid rising parent concerns about the reliance on technology in schools.
The moratorium came to light at the first meeting of a school board committee examining issues around the use of AI in schools — a surprise to board members who were told by their chief academic officer and their head of technology that the new policy means that generative AI would be out of reach for all students on district devices until further notice.Senior district administrators put the moratorium in place on their own authority in the spirit of complying with the school board’s unanimous June vote to limit student screen time.Under the screen-time policy, students have no access to screens until the second grade and permissible screen time is gradually expanded as students get older.
Board member Kelly Gonez said that, to her knowledge, the district was still following an earlier policy that made AI available to older students after they had completed instructional units on digital literacy and responsibility.“I, even as a board member,” was “under the expectation that we were still operating under last year’s policy,” Gonez said.“The fact that it’s different today, this school year, is important.”“Breaking news here in the committee,” Gonez said later, smiling.Board member Nick Melvoin also expressed surprise, although like Gonez, he did not object to the de facto moratorium.
He said it was important for the word to get out, while noting that the school board had not authorized this significant step.“If the policy is we’re not going to allow students use generative...