Orange County educators are discussing generative artificial intelligence (AI) and what that could look like in the classroom.
During this month’s school board meeting, Nora Brooking, coordinator of special education and student services, presented information about research local educators have completed over the past approximately 18 months regarding generative AI. Seven members of the school division participated in a cohort program on the subject organized by the Virginia Association of School Superintendents. Through that program, participants not only learned about generative AI, but also evaluated policies and the work other divisions have done on the topic, culminating in a working guide on how the division thinks about AI moving forward.
Brooking said the guide drafted for Orange County Public Schools has six principles–a desire to use AI to enhance rigorous learning; using AI to streamline administrative tasks; promoting instruction that is personalized, engaging and aligned with learning goals; safeguarding data privacy; using AI to close digital divides and support equitable, inclusive learning environments and selecting and reviewing AI tools to ensure fairness, transparency and accuracy.
That guide was then brought to the division’s AI committee for feedback. Formed in 2024, the committee consists of teachers, administrators, division staff, a board member and a parent. Input on the guide was also given by administrators and division leaders, the parent advisory committee and through a staff survey. Brooking said that survey revealed that staff members are curious about generative AI and would like to use it to save time on lesson plan creation and differentiation. However, there are also concerns about the usage of AI.
“We recognize [it has] some benefits, but while there are benefits there are also legitimate concerns with ethics and safeguarding against [it’s use for] cheating,” Brooking said. “The overwhelming response is that staff want professional development around the topic.”
Brooking said the division has to model best practices for AI use and continue to implement the six guiding principles into everyday work that is being done. Moving ahead, the school board will consider both a policy and regulation regarding AI use.
District 3 school board member Jack Rickett said AI is one of his two biggest concerns regarding education–the other being social media.
“To me, these are the things that are moving so quickly it’s scary as a parent and a grandparent,” he said. However, he said the division is fortunate to have “some really smart people making sure our young people within this county are protected from the worst case scenario.”
District 2 board member Darlene Dawson also voiced concerns about AI. She said its usage makes her nervous.
“We want to create thinkers and kids who are not just putting things into AI and spitting something back out,” she said. “I realize there are wonderful applications for it,but also some really scary applications for it, too.”
District 1 board member Melissa Anderson agreed. She said it seems that education is going further into the digital world instead of back to pens and paper where she thinks it should be, noting children spend too much time on screens.
Board members are expected to further discuss AI in the school division at next month’s meeting.
