Manchester schools adopt AI policy with disclosure requirements
The Manchester School District's Committee on Teaching and Learning backed an updated artificial intelligence policy Wednesday that requires students and staff to disclose when they use AI tools in their work.
The policy approves three AI platforms for use in classrooms: SchoolAI, Khan Academy's Khanmigo, and Canva. It treats undisclosed AI-generated work as an academic integrity violation.
Leslie Whitney, executive director of teaching and learning, said the policy emphasizes ethical use while recognizing that AI exists in the community. "No digital program replaces great teaching," Whitney said. "Digital tools are meant to strengthen it."
Enforcement challenges emerge
Committee chair Sean Parr raised a practical problem: teachers lack reliable tools to detect when students use AI to complete assignments.
District attorney Matt Upton acknowledged that AI detection tools are unreliable. He described the gray area: a student could take an AI-generated book report, make minor changes, and submit it as original work.
"It's going to be a challenge and it's going to be a work in progress," Upton said. He said enforcement will depend on teachers recognizing patterns and assessing the integrity of student work.
Stephen Cross, IT executive director, noted the district cannot prevent students from using AI on personal devices at home. "There's nothing that we can do to stop that or prevent it," Cross said. "It would be really at the teacher's level to understand that there's no way this child did this work."
Broader concerns about critical thinking
Upton warned that easy access to AI answers risks eroding students' research and critical thinking skills. Students may learn to find answers without understanding the reasoning behind them.
A Pew Research Center survey released earlier this year found that nearly 6 in 10 American teenagers ages 13 to 17 said students at their school use AI chatbots to cheat at least "somewhat often."
The committee voted unanimously to recommend the policy to the full school board for approval next month.
Educators implementing these policies may benefit from understanding how to teach with AI tools effectively. AI Learning Path for Teachers offers guidance on integrating AI into instruction while maintaining academic standards.
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