Flossmoor School District 161 Board approves artificial intelligence plan
Flossmoor School District 161 Board approves artificial intelligence plan
Publish Date: 2026-06-01 22:42:00
Source Domain: www.hfchronicle.com
The Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education voted unanimously May 26 to approve a districtwide artificial intelligence implementation plan intended to guide the use of AI technology in classrooms and administrative settings beginning in the 2026-27 school year.
District officials said Illinois school districts are required to adopt an AI plan by July 1.
The plan establishes guidelines for the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence by both students and staff, while emphasizing academic integrity, student privacy and critical thinking. According to district documents, AI tools are intended to support learning “only after students first demonstrate their own understanding of the topic and engage in independent thinking.”
Superintendent Dana Smith said the district used guidance and examples from other school systems while developing the framework.
“There are a couple of templates from districts who have already done this,” Smith said. “This sets the framework for the work.”
Smith said the district reviewed policies from Chicago Public Schools, Los Angeles Unified School District and other Illinois districts before tailoring the plan to state guidelines.
“I think as we shared in the last one, as we’re going into not only be responding to AI but a refresh of the strategic plan, it’s a perfect opportunity to look at technological integration in general,” Smith said. “I think the plan really sets the format for the work.”
Under the approved plan, teachers will be expected to clearly communicate when AI use is permitted, restricted or prohibited on assignments. Students who use AI tools for schoolwork will be required to disclose how the technology was used, such as for brainstorming, outlining or grammar assistance.
The policy states that submitting AI-generated work as original student work without disclosure constitutes academic dishonesty.
The district also included…
