When school districts develop policies for the appropriate use of artificial intelligence, it’s crucial that they extend the conversation beyond just teachers and students. Principals Michael Rubin of Uxbridge High School in Massachusetts and Michael Martin of Buckeye Central High School in Ohio both emphasize the importance of including parents in these discussions.
During a recent K-12 Essentials Forum focused on AI in schools, Rubin shared his experience of hosting a parent night last fall. The event was designed to clarify the school’s AI usage policy and provide parents with a basic understanding of the technology. Rubin explained to parents, “Hey guys, if you used Waze [a GPS mapping app], and it gave you a better way to get to school, you’ve used AI.” The parent night helped pave the way for the district’s integration of AI-powered tools, such as Spanish language chatbots and an AI-assisted counseling platform.
Martin noted that he’s proactively reached out to parents about AI, having only received inquiries from two parents so far. However, he plans to host a similar event next year to discuss both the potential benefits and downsides of AI, along with the school’s policies. Rubin stresses the need for schools to clarify their own stances on appropriate AI use before engaging parents. “I would strongly recommend not putting the cart before the horse, of making sure that you have your own house in order before you bring it outside to the parents,” Rubin advises. School leaders need to anticipate that parent interest will grow, as Rubin points out that even a small initial number can quickly multiply.
