FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. \u2014\u00a0Winston-Salem\/Forsyth County Schools is making it clear that artificial intelligence is here to stay, and students will be expected to use it responsibly.<\/p>\n
What You Need To Know<\/p>\n
Winston-Salem\/Forsyth County Schools (WSFCS)\u00a0recently updated its Acceptable Use of Technology Policy, adding specific language around generative AI
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District leaders emphasize the update is not a brand-new policy but rather an expansion of existing rules to reflect rapidly evolving technology
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Under Policy 6161, AI use must follow long-standing expectations for academic honesty, data privacy and responsible technology use
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Now, students can use a limited number of approved tools, including Google Gemini and education-focused platforms with access varying by grade level<\/p>\n
The district recently updated its Acceptable Use of Technology Policy, adding specific language around generative AI.<\/p>\n
While AI tools are now allowed, and even encouraged, district leaders say the focus is on ethical and responsible use.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur acceptable use policy governs how students and staff access technology, what was not included in that policy was how do they also ethically use AI,\u201d WSFCS Chief Academic Officer Paula Wilkins said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
District leaders emphasize the update is not a brand-new policy, but rather an expansion of existing rules to reflect rapidly evolving technology.<\/p>\n
\u201cAI is the way of the world,\u201d Wilkins said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Under Policy 6161, AI use must follow long-standing expectations for academic honesty, data privacy and responsible technology use.<\/p>\n
Students and staff are also accountable for anything created with AI, including its accuracy and integrity.<\/p>\n
The policy also clearly outlines what\u2019s not allowed, such as using AI to cheat, misrepresent work, violate privacy or create misleading or harmful content.<\/p>\n
District leaders say setting those guidelines were necessary before expanding access.<\/p>\n
\u201cPrior to February, students did not have access on our network to any of those (AI) platforms,\u201d said Ashley McCormack, director of personalized and digital learning.<\/p>\n
Now, students can use a limited number of approved tools, including Google Gemini and education-focused platforms, with access varying by grade level.<\/p>\n
Younger students focus on learning what AI is, while older students begin using it in supervised settings.<\/p>\n
Despite the new access, AI is not required in classrooms, and teachers are being trained before fully integrating it into lessons.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want educators to feel comfortable before they then introduce that to students,\u201d Wilkins said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Students themselves have mixed feelings about the growing role of AI.<\/p>\n
\u201cI use AI when I\u2019m struggling with a question, but I also feel like sometimes people are using it to just get everything done easier and quicker,\u201d Carver High School student Steven Beasley said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beasley said he\u2019s had to scale back his own use after relying on it too heavily.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt made me feel like I was kind of, you know, leaning back on the class like I’m like a dead weight,” Beasley said.<\/p>\n
Carver High School teacher Nicole Westbury warns students not to depend on AI as a shortcut.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a love-hate relationship with AI,” Westbury said. “I really want them to use their own thinking skills instead of using AI as a crutch.”<\/p>\n
She also pointed out that AI isn\u2019t always reliable.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes AI gives you jargon that sounds right, but it\u2019s not,\u201d Westbury said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Still, district leaders say the goal isn\u2019t to ban it, but to prepare students for a future where it\u2019s unavoidable.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not building cheaters,” Wilkins said. “We\u2019re building informed citizens that can leverage AI for the better good.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The message remains consistent: AI is just another tool, and like any tool, how it\u2019s used matters.<\/p>\n
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