USD 259 leadership to discuss new AI policy
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Wichita Public Schools could have students using AI to complete assignments as soon as next year. The district's new AI policy is being presented to the school board on Monday night and is already facing pushback.
The district says students are already using AI to help with schoolwork. Officials say they've been training teachers on how to customize lessons using the technology.
The new policy puts parameters around when and how teachers can instruct students to use AI to complete assignments. District leaders say AI is here, and they need to adapt.
'Being the largest school district in Kansas, we've got to lead the way in this in creating a safe environment for AI, as much as it's going to change everything, right?' Robert Dickson, CIO for Wichita Public Schools, said. 'Be able to practice it in a safe and secure manner.'
Dickson says the district will have measures to protect students' privacy.
Via Christi partners with high schools to expose students to health care careers
The union representing Wichita teachers has concerns about how the policy came about.
'It would be amazing if they would talk to teachers first, because we have been active and involved in this process in United Teachers of Wichita,' Mike Harris, the vice president of United Teachers of Wichita, said.
Harris says the district hasn't engaged with the union on discussions about AI implementation. He's worried they're pushing through a policy without consulting educators first.
Harris says different teachers are at different levels of comfort with AI use. He says everyone has to be on board for implementation to work.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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