Parents of students at Lakewood Ranch High School would have to be notified whenever a teacher approves an AI tool for classroom use, under a proposed state rule headed for a vote Sept. 16.

The Florida Board of Education will decide at its meeting at Polk State College in Winter Haven whether to require every public school district and charter school board in Florida to update internet safety policies to cover artificial intelligence. If approved, local school boards, including Manatee and Sarasota counties, would have until July 1, 2027, to adopt compliant policies, the Florida Phoenix reported.

The rule would not need legislative ratification.

What the rule requires

Under the draft, schools would have to tell parents the platform's name, the classes using it and the nature of student interaction each time a teacher approves an AI instructional tool. Parents could object and request an alternative.

Schools serving pre-K through fifth grade would face additional age-appropriateness reviews for any AI tool.

The draft also bans AI from filling social or emotional roles. Schools could not deploy AI to simulate friendship or companionship with a student, meet social-emotional learning needs, or use design features meant to keep students interacting with the system.

Student interaction records would have to be kept at least 30 days so parents and administrators can review them. Student data could not be used for profit or to train commercial AI models.

Teachers and administrators would be required to complete training on AI safety, risks and compliance. Districts would also need policies covering plagiarism, permissible classroom use and how students demonstrate mastery without AI.

The draft states its goal is to "ensure that the use of AI instructional tools is limited to supplementing, and not replacing, the professional judgment of teachers and the primary right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children."

Manatee County's early AI work

Manatee County's school district began exploring AI policies months before the state proposal. At a May 26 board workshop, Chief Technology Officer Scott Hansen and Deputy Superintendent of Instructional Services Derek Jensen presented an update on AI and district-supported online learning platforms, according to board minutes.

Hansen told the board that "the key to lasting district policy, was to broaden the policy and not have to update every time new technology comes to pass." Board members discussed student privacy, data security and transparent communication with parents about new technology.

Teachers' union backs protections

Florida Education Association (FEA) President Andrew Spar said in an Aug. 28 statement to the Florida Phoenix that rules protecting children are needed. "Like with all new technology, there must be rules and guidelines that center on protecting our children," Spar wrote.

Spar said the FEA wants any state policy to ensure parents are notified of AI use, student data is protected, classroom technology is age-appropriate and educators are not burdened with additional work without support.

College campuses included

The same meeting will also address AI rules for the 28 institutions in the Florida College System. Education Commissioner Henry Mack approved a rule requiring each college to outline AI policies covering academic integrity, course assignments and grading, according to the News Service of Florida.

The college-level rule would similarly prohibit AI from simulating friendship or meeting students' social needs. Parents of minors enrolled in college courses would be notified whether those courses involve AI.

The Florida Phoenix reported that Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration did not return a request for comment on the proposals.

If approved, Manatee and Sarasota school boards must adopt updated AI policies before Jan 1, 2027.