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New Haven schools present first reading of draft AI policy, outline privacy and training steps
Summary
The New Haven Board of Education received a first reading of a district artificial intelligence policy that sets permitted uses, privacy safeguards and a disclosure requirement for student work; the draft establishes subcommittees and plans for staff training with AFT Connecticut and Google.
The New Haven Board of Education on July 28 received a first reading of a districtwide artificial intelligence policy that sets rules for staff and student use, names federal privacy laws it must follow and lays out next steps for approval and training.
The draft policy, presented by Assistant Superintendent Greg Evans, frames AI as an instructional and operational tool but says it "will never replace the essential human capacities" of critical thinking, creativity, communication and empathy. Evans said the district has convened an AI committee, vetted sample K–12 policies, and sought feedback from teachers, administrators and the New Haven Federation of Teachers.
The nut graf: the draft presents three core areas — permitted uses, legal and ethical compliance, and governance. It calls for (1) district-approved AI tools only; (2) disclosure when AI assists student work; (3) adherence to privacy and accessibility laws including FERPA, COPPA and the Americans with Disabilities Act; and (4) ongoing oversight through task forces and subcommittees and professional learning for staff.
Evans summarized the committee process and why the board was seeing the policy as a first reading. "Our first meeting was on April 3...we presented a draft policy to the SAA and the NHFT," he said, describing research, multiple vetting steps, and recent presentations to governance and teaching-and-learning committees. "AI is here. It's here. We have to embrace it," he added, arguing the policy could also help reduce teacher workload by allowing approved tools for lesson planning, feedback and communications.
The draft lists example permitted uses for students (research assistance, feedback, project planning) but requires teacher guidance and disclosure of AI assistance on assignments. It lists prohibited uses such as discriminatory outputs and use of nonapproved tools. The policy text stresses equitable access — an approved tool should be available to all students in a class if a teacher permits its use.
Board members praised the collaborative process. Member Wilkoff called the presentation "extremely thorough," and others commended the number of stakeholders involved. Members asked logistical questions about which models or vendors would be approved; Evans said the IT department is working with the city to review tools and that policy approval should precede selecting specific platforms.
Evans also described planned supports: subcommittees on policy and ethics, teaching and learning, operations and procurement, and communications; and partnerships to deliver professional development, including AFT Connecticut and Google.
The board took no final vote on the policy; it was presented for first reading with an expectation of follow-up work from the AI committee and the listed subcommittees. The district intends to return with recommended district-approved tools, a schedule for training, and a governance plan for ongoing review.
Less-critical details: the draft explicitly cites the district's Portrait of a Graduate as the policy anchor and includes a statement that AI platforms must adhere to federal and state privacy and accessibility requirements. The administration said it used AI tools during policy drafting and that IT conducted an additional review of vendor terms and data handling.
