Norman parent fights against use of artificial intelligence in Norman Public Schools

Source Domain: www.cnhinews.com

NORMAN, Okla. — A local Norman parent is fighting against potential artificial intelligence policies within Norman Public Schools.

Tabrina Alexander is a new member of the district’s Citizen Advisory Committee, which aims to gain input from high school, middle school and elementary school parents about various education topics and Norman Public Schools.

At the most recent meeting, Alexander said the committee was presented with a draft artificial intelligence policy for Norman Public Schools. The drafted policy raised several concerns for Alexander, prompting her to begin speaking at NPS Board of Education meetings and start a petition against the use of generative AI in Norman schools.

“ My issue is the fact that with this new AI policy, they’re talking about opening up generative AI and other AI onto students’ devices, their one-to-one devices,” she said. “So that is what kind of catapulted me to be like, okay, I can’t just say I don’t appreciate the tech in the classrooms and I don’t think it’s working.”

The need for AI policies in school districts has increased over the past few years as access to, and the use of, artificial intelligence have become more common. The past state legislative session passed Senate Bill 1734, establishing guardrails for the use of AI in public schools and requiring districts to provide parents with an annual disclosure of how AI is used in the district.

The bill, signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt, also requires the state Department of Education to create guidelines on the responsible use of AI in schools and instructs Boards of Education to adopt internal AI use policies.

“ The whole thing to me is ridiculous because the whole thing is based on the students having access to AI, and I feel like the students should not have access to AI at all,” Alexander said. “So the…

Source