Ohio HB 96: What K-12 Leaders Need to Do Before the July 1 AI Policy Deadline
Ohio House Bill 96 requires every public school district, community school and STEM school to adopt an artificial intelligence policy by July 1 or adopt the model policy provided by the Ohio Department of Education.
The Ohio Department of Education worked with the Ohio AI in Education Coalition to build a potential model policy. Their guidance is straightforward: create a cross-functional AI workgroup, set clear rules for AI use, and provide professional support so staff can use these tools responsibly.
Higher ed is moving, too. Ohio University's Center for Teaching, Learning and Assessment is offering support that outlines both restrictions and possibilities for AI in the classroom - a sign districts should put professional learning at the center of their rollout.
What the law requires
- Adopt an AI policy by July 1, or use the state's model policy.
- Applies to public districts, community schools and STEM schools statewide.
- Policy must address appropriate use by both students and staff.
For state updates and resources, visit the Ohio Department of Education.
Action plan for this semester
- Form an AI workgroup: Include curriculum, IT, student services, legal, building leaders, teachers, and a student/parent voice. Set a quick decision cadence.
- Inventory current AI use: Classroom practices, instructional materials, assessment tools, and vendor features that quietly rely on AI.
- Choose your path: Adopt the ODE model as-is for speed, or adapt it to local needs with clear addenda (assessment, data privacy, procurement).
- Draft the policy package: Policy text, classroom guidelines, procurement checklist, staff disclosure rules, and a parent communication plan.
- Train and launch: Short modules for staff, model lesson examples, student honor code updates, and a simple reporting/appeals process.
What to include in your AI policy
- Purpose and scope: Why the district allows AI and where it is limited (instruction, assessment, operations).
- Definitions: Generative AI, assistive tools, prohibited tools, "human-in-the-loop." Keep it plain language.
- Acceptable use by students: What's allowed (idea generation, drafting, feedback) and what is not (bypassing learning, unauthorized data entry, impersonation).
- Academic integrity: Disclosure expectations for AI-assisted work, citation examples, consequences, and an appeals process.
- Staff use: Lesson planning, differentiation, feedback, communication templates - with human review before publishing or grading.
- Data privacy and safety: No entry of personally identifiable information into public tools; align with FERPA/COPPA; vendor agreements must state data use limits and retention.
- Procurement standards: Vendor AI features must be documented; require data protection addenda, auditing, and opt-out controls.
- Accessibility and equity: Alternatives for students with IEP/504 plans; language supports; device access considerations.
- Assessment guidance: Which assessments must be AI-free, allowed supports for practice, and secure testing procedures.
- Detection tools: If used, note limitations, require human review, and prohibit sole reliance for discipline.
- Communication plan: Parent FAQs, student code of conduct updates, and staff quick-reference guides.
- Review cycle: Pilot, gather feedback, revise each semester, report to the board annually.
Ready-to-use templates and training
- Quick-start docs: One-page classroom guidelines, student disclosure statement, AI use contract for extracurriculars.
- Professional learning: Short PD tracks for teachers, counselors, and administrators with real classroom examples and privacy do's/don'ts.
If you need structured courses mapped to education roles, explore curated options here: Complete AI Training - Courses by Job.
FAQs leaders are asking
- Does this apply to community and STEM schools? Yes. The law covers public districts, community schools and STEM schools.
- What if we don't finish our local policy by July 1? You can adopt the state's model policy to meet the requirement and iterate during the year.
- Are AI detectors required? No requirement is stated. If you use them, treat results as indicators, not proof, and pair with human review and student dialogue.
Bottom line
Set a clear policy, teach people how to use AI responsibly, and protect student data. Use the state model to meet the deadline, then refine with local feedback.
Start with an AI workgroup, a short set of classroom rules, and a PD plan. The rest will follow with practice and regular review.
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