Artificial Intelligence

Saint Paul Public Schools recognizes the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to enhance learning, innovation, and operational efficiency. Staff and students have access to select AI technology tools, and receive professional development offerings and usage guidelines

AI Tools AvailablE IN SPPS

SPPS values and AI use

Achievement: AI tools should be used to enhance academic success through challenging and collaborative learning, not to replace it.
Communication: Use AI tools in a way that promotes clear, honest, and accessible communication.
Continuous Improvement: Utilize AI to support learning while maintaining flexibility and a commitment to critical thinking and evaluation.
Collaboration: Engage with AI tools and their outputs in a respectful manner that values input and avoids harm.
Accountability: Students are accountable for using AI tools responsibly and ethically, with integrity and transparency.
Inclusive Culture: AI tools should be used in ways that are inclusive and avoid generating discriminatory, offensive, or harmful content.

Explore our Generative AI Best Practices guidelines for staff and students:

AI Best Practices for SPPS Educators

AI Best Practices for SPPS Students

Resources, Policies and Further Learning

How are SPPS Staff educated about AI?

All SPPS staff are encouraged to explore professional learning opportunities to learn more about AI. Current learning opportunities include:
- Generative AI for Educators (PowerSchool Section #90791): This course is ideal for educators new to exploring AI, or those looking to learn about applications and ethical implications of AI in education.
- AI Tools: Gemini & Notebook LM (PowerSchool Section #90819): This course offers SPPS educators a hands-on opportunity to explore and learn practical educational applications of various AI tools. It specifically includes training on Google Gemini and Notebook LM.
- AI Tools: Canva Magic Studio (PowerSchool Section #90820): This course offers SPPS educators a hands-on opportunity to explore and learn practical educational applications of various AI tools. It specifically includes training on Canva's Magic Studio.
Administrators and district level staff meet regularly to provide guidance for students and staff on the appropriate and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI tools, in classroom instruction, school management, and systemwide operations.

How are Students Educated about AI?

Rights and Responsibilities Handbook
Plagiarism/academic honesty tools integrated into Learning Management Systems (Schoology)
Digital Citizenship lessons
- In compliance with the federal Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), Saint Paul Public Schools provides students with lessons on digital citizenship, online safety and privacy, and appropriate online behavior each fall.
- Throughout the year, concepts of Digital Citizenship are embedded in content area lessons and PBIS restorative practices.
For additional support in learning about AI, students and families are encouraged to explore Google's AI Literacy Guide for Teens.

AI Resources for Educators

AI Best Practice Guides

AI Best Practices for SPPS Educators

Utilize this resource to explore practical frameworks for leveraging AI tools in your professional practice, while maintaining high standards of privacy, ethics, and educational excellence.

AI Best Practices for SPPS Students

Help your students integrate AI into their learning responsibly and ethically. This document provides SPPS students with practical guidance for utilizing AI tools while maintaining high standards of privacy and academic integrity. Please share this resource with your students.

Asynchronous Professional Learning Opportunities

Explore the courses below to deepen your understanding of AI for educators. Each 2-hour course includes a digital certificate and grants one hour of S relicensure credit upon successful completion.

Generative AI for Educators (PowerSchool Section #90791): This course is ideal for educators new to exploring AI, or those looking to learn about applications and ethical implications of AI in education.
AI Tools: Gemini & Notebook LM (PowerSchool Section #90819): This course offers SPPS educators a hands-on opportunity to explore and learn practical educational applications of various AI tools. It specifically includes training on Google Gemini and Notebook LM.
AI Tools: Canva Magic Studio (PowerSchool Section #90820): This course offers SPPS educators a hands-on opportunity to explore and learn practical educational applications of various AI tools. It specifically includes training on Canva's Magic Studio.

Additional Resources to Explore

AI 101 for Educators Video Series

This free online video series from Code.org introduces educators to the emerging field of AI in education.

AI Basics for K-12 Teachers

This 1 hour course, offered through Common Sense Media, is designed to introduce you to artificial intelligence and the ethical considerations you should keep in mind when integrating this technology into your teaching

A Practical Guide to Implementing AI in the Classroom

This guide, developed by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, supports educators in utilizing AI in safe, responsible, and ethical ways.

AI Guidance for School Toolkit

This resource, created by TeachAI, offers guidance to support school communities in exploring the potential benefits that can come through incorporating AI in education, while also understanding and mitigating potential concerns.

AI Resources for Families

Parents Ultimate Guide to Generative AI

Common Sense Media's "Parents' Ultimate Guide to Generative AI" offers comprehensive insights into understanding what generative AI is, how children use it, and the associated risks, alongside practical advice for parents on fostering safe and responsible AI engagement.

AI tips and Videos

Discover Common Sense Media's collection of videos and tips, offering guidance on how to talk to your child about AI and navigate the evolving digital landscape.

AI Literacy Guide for Teens

Google's AI literacy guide for teens offers essential insights into generative AI, explaining its functionality, responsible usage, and potential limitations to help users understand and interact with AI tools effectively.

Understanding the Environmental Impact of AI Use

The introduction of Artificial Intelligence in education and operations must be balanced with our commitment to environmental stewardship. To learn more about the environmental impact of Google's AI tools (Google Gemini and Notebook LM), please see the resources below:

iPad Security & Privacy

All student and staff iPads are pre-configured with functionality customized for education. Saint Paul Public Schools actively works with several security vendors to create and update security policies. Most relevant to this conversation is the “JAMF” mobile device (iPad & Macbook) management system. JAMF is a Minnesota - based company, one of the leading companies nationwide and worldwide managing Apple devices. Some of the features our JAMF management system controls on student iPads include:

Internet Filtering

Student iPads have pre-installed internet filtering that works when students are at school AND at home. Adult content is blocked from student access, as well as social media site such as Facebook, Snapchat and TikTok. While no content filter is 100% foolproof, our Technology Services team is responsive in continually adjusting filters to keep students safe and protected.

Securely Home

Securly Home adds optional parent controls to student iPads when at home. Parents and guardians can choose to download the Securly Home app on their phone to view student’s online activity on their school iPad, receive alerts if they view any concerning content, and pause internet access on their device when your student is at home. Due to new MN data privacy legislation, parents and guardians are unable to view student activity on ‘incognito’ or ‘private’ browsing mode. SPPS internet filtering is still active in incognito and private browsing. For more information about new data privacy legislation, please see this page and contact MN legislators.

App Store / FaceTime / iMessage

Although SPPS uses Apple iPads, many apps and tools are not relevant or desirable for the classroom (either physical or virtual!). Pre-installed device management features block apps such as the Apple App Store, FaceTime, iMessage and other tools. Students cannot add their own personal Email accounts, and throughout most of the school year students are unable to reset (erase) their own iPads due to the difficulty of setting the device up again and/or circumnavigating the security management features.

Self Service App Store

Students and staff have access to a special ‘app store’ on the iPads with over 400 apps that have been reviewed for content, data privacy and security guidelines. More information about the App Approval process and Security Review can be found at: spps.org/apps

Family iPad Settings and Controls

Families have the ability to further customize the apps and websites accessible to their student at any time with a built-in feature called “Screentime”. popular parental features of Screentime include:

Setting a ‘bedtime’ for the iPad (the iPad will shut off automatically at 8:00pm, for example)
Only allowing SPECIFIC websites
Blocking specific websites (for example, Youtube)
Limiting the time on any specific app or website

Families set a 4 digit passcode to manage the restrictions and functions in Screentime. You can read more about setting up Screentime on the student iPad here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208982

Digital Citizenship for Educators & Students

Digital citizenship is an overarching concept that includes appropriate and responsible use of technology by staff and students. As members of 1:1 iPad learning environment, we all contribute to the security and data privacy of our community.
In compliance with the federal Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), Saint Paul Public Schools provides students with lessons on digital citizenship, online safety and privacy, and appropriate online behavior.
The district also encourages teachers to revisit digital citizenship topics frequently with students during the school year. Staff complete training courses on Digital Citizenship, Internet Safety, Copyright and more each fall. These guidelines are to be used as they curate digital resources and activities for students throughout the year. You can read more about Digital Citizenship in SPPS here.
Students and Families sign a Technology Use Agreement at the beginning of each year addressing Digital Citizenship, Internet Safety as well as iPad Use/Care. Families are asked to review the Technology Use Agreement during the Back to School Forms at the start of school. A preview information on the Technology Use agreement can be found here:

Student Privacy, Tracking & Location

External “LMS” companies including Seesaw, Schoology and others sign contracts and data sharing agreements with Saint Paul Public Schools. Student Data privacy is of the utmost importance to all. Student data is NOT tracked by these companies after our students leave or move to the next system. Often, these companies are unable to see into our systems because of the security and privacy policies set by both sides, intentionally. Students and staff authenticate into these systems with their school username and password (Active Directory). When SPPS deactivates or changes that account password, the student account in Seesaw, Schoology and other tools is inaccessible.
Camera and microphone use on the iPad is controlled on an app-by-app basis by the student. When opening an app for the first time, the iPad will prompt students to ‘allow’ access to the microphone and camera. This pop up can be confusing for many students (and staff). It does not mean the app is listening or watching the student from that point onwards. Students must always tap ‘record’ for the microphone or camera to begin recording. If students disabled the camera access by default, they would need to go to the Settings app and enable access every time the app was opened. They would still have to tap ‘record’ once in the app.

Student location tracking is not allowed for third party apps. Location tracking of the device is reserved for security and lost device procedures by a core group of Technology Services staff. General staff do not have the ability to view device location. Student location tracking is one of the items prohibited by the SPPS apps review process and in accordance with Federal education guidelines.