PVSD Technology Department · Spring 2026
PVSD is committed to using AI thoughtfully — enhancing the work of educators and preserving the human relationships at the heart of our schools.
Our AI Philosophy
Developed collaboratively with PVSD staff and the AI Task Force, our philosophy guides every decision about how artificial intelligence is integrated in our schools.
Student-Centered Educational Benefit
AI is guided by student needs — deepening understanding, providing meaningful support, and empowering students. It must always be appropriate to students' age and development and never hinder critical thinking.
Safety, Ethics & Responsibility
AI use is anchored in digital citizenship, ethical practices, and respect for privacy and intellectual honesty. Human connections — the heart of our schools — are always preserved.
Research-Informed Continuous Improvement
Our approach is rooted in best practices and humility. As AI evolves, so do our strategies — balancing innovation with thoughtful, evidence-based implementation.
"AI should enhance, not replace, the work of educators and the relationships that define our schools."
— PVSD AI Task Force, Core Guiding Principle
— PVSD AI Task Force, Core Guiding Principle
Community Input
In Winter 2026, the District surveyed parents, staff, and conducted student focus groups with 14 students in grades 4–8. These guidelines are grounded in what we heard.
118
Parent & guardian survey respondents
83%
See AI as a tool to reduce teacher workload
87%
Say students should understand appropriate AI boundaries
100%
Of middle schoolers had already used AI for school
Top Parent Concerns
| Loss of critical thinking | 80.5% | |
| Chatbot for social/emotional use | 66.9% | |
| Misinformation & errors | 53.4% | |
| Privacy & data security | 49.0% |
% selecting "very concerned" — PVSD Community Survey, Winter 2026 (n=118)
The PEERS Framework
PVSD uses Stanford University's PEERS Framework to evaluate every AI tool and implementation decision — ensuring a balanced approach across five core areas.
P
Privacy
Protecting student data and enabling safe, informed decisions with AI tools.
E
Ethics
Fair, consistent AI policies grounded in awareness of risks and limitations.
E
Equity
Equal access to AI tools and the literacy to use them effectively.
R
Resource
Considering AI's impact on personnel time, costs, and district capacity.
S
Student Success
Keeping student well-being central while supporting teacher planning.
Source: Stanford University, Center to Support Excellence in Teaching (CSET), 2026
Appropriate Use & Misuse
Our guidelines are clear: AI is a tool, not an emotional companion. The expectations below apply to all PVSD students and staff.
| Area | ✓ Appropriate Use | ✗ Misuse to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Creating | ✓Partner with AI to brainstorm ideas that jumpstart your original work. Let your own critical thinking and unique voice drive the final product. | ✗Passing off AI-generated work as your own. Entering passwords, addresses, or photos of yourself or others into public AI tools. |
| Learning | ✓Use AI to practice concepts and get "reteaching" tailored to your skill level. You are always responsible for the accuracy of everything you submit. | ✗Using AI to avoid the productive struggle that builds resilience and problem-solving. Relying on AI to summarize books instead of reading them. |
| Researching | ✓Treat AI as a starting point. Verify claims with trusted academic sources. Stay alert for "hallucinated" citations or invented facts. | ✗Accepting AI responses as truth without checking them. Accessing AI secretly during quizzes or exams. |
| Area | ✓ Appropriate Use | ✗ Misuse to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment | ✓Generate formative checks, performance tasks, and exit tickets aligned to standards to inform instruction. | ✗Entering student names, IEP information, or medical data into public AI tools. |
| Instruction | ✓Draft lesson outlines aligned to standards. Adapt AI-suggested materials to your specific classroom and student needs. | ✗Distributing AI-generated materials without verifying them against trusted educational sources. |
| Differentiation | ✓Generate differentiated strategies for EL, SPED, and advanced learners. Personalize examples to student interests. | ✗Letting AI replace teacher judgment in leading small group instruction. |
| Communication | ✓Draft newsletters, slide decks, and email templates as a starting point for your own authentic communication. | ✗Over-relying on AI for communication in ways that erode authentic connection with families. |
AI Use Levels Rubric
For each assignment, teachers will communicate which level of AI use is permitted. This 5-level rubric gives students and families a shared language — adapted from the California Department of Education AI Guidelines.
1
No AI Assistance
Students complete work entirely independently, relying solely on their own knowledge and abilities.
2
AI for Idea Organization
AI may help sort or clarify early thinking. Students must produce the final work themselves and cite any AI support used.
3
AI as Editor Only
Students may use AI to receive feedback and suggestions on their writing, but must make all revisions independently.
4
AI-Infused Creation
Students may include AI-generated elements, but must critically review, edit, and properly attribute all AI contributions.
5
AI as Co-Creator
Students work in intensive partnership with AI, providing a rationale for use, ensuring original thinking remains central, and clearly citing AI involvement.
Adapted from California Department of Education AI Guidelines · cde.ca.gov
Application Review & Approved Tools
Every AI application must pass a formal review before reaching students or staff. This process typically takes 2–3 weeks and requires a valid Data Privacy Agreement.
-
1Request Submitted
Staff or administrators submit an application for review to the Technology and Curriculum & Instruction Coordinators.
-
2Data Privacy Review
All applications must have an active Data Privacy Agreement (DPA) through California IT in Education (CITE) Privacy Services.
-
3Technical & Curricular Evaluation
Applications are assessed for technical compatibility with district systems and alignment with curriculum goals.
-
4Approval & Configuration
Approved apps are configured for district use. Requestors are notified of all decisions — approvals and denials.
⭐
Currently Approved for Staff Use
Google Gemini
As of June 2026, PVSD has evaluated and approved Google Gemini as the vetted AI application authorized for staff use. Additional tools are under ongoing review.
More tools under review — check back for updates
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most from our families, students, and staff.
No. PVSD requires all AI tools to have an active Data Privacy Agreement before use. Staff are prohibited from entering student names, IEP information, medical details, or any personally identifiable information into AI tools. Student data protection is a top priority in every evaluation.
No. Our guidelines are grounded in the belief that human relationships are at the heart of our schools. AI serves as a co-pilot — never a replacement for teachers. The real concern our community raised is AI replacing students' own critical thinking, which is why our approach prioritizes AI literacy before AI use.
Teachers are trained to recognize AI-generated patterns in student work and to design assignments that require demonstrated understanding. The 5-level AI Use Rubric sets clear expectations upfront for every assignment. Academic integrity policies apply to AI misuse just as they do to other forms of academic dishonesty.
Student focus groups recommended beginning AI instruction in 3rd or 4th grade — earlier than many parents suggested. Students reasoned that they should understand the risks and appropriate uses of AI before encountering it on their own. Our implementation plan builds AI literacy progressively across all grade levels.
No. PVSD's guidelines are clear that AI is a tool, not an emotional companion. Students are always expected to turn to teachers, counselors, and trusted adults for social-emotional support. This was the second-highest parent concern in our survey (66.9%), and our guidelines directly address it.
PVSD embraces a posture of humility and ongoing learning. We are committed to evaluating our approach continuously, partnering with the San Mateo County Office of Education, and engaging our community as the technology evolves. These guidelines will be updated as new evidence, tools, and best practices emerge.