AI in Education

AI is a tool that enhances learning, creativity, and problem-solving. It does not replace human thinking, relationships, or professional judgment.

In D109 schools:

• AI supports meaningful, student-centered learning.
• Human agency and ethical judgment are non-negotiable.
• Students are taught to evaluate and verify AI-generated information.
• AI use is age-appropriate and aligned to our mission and values.

To ensure consistency across our schools, District 109 uses a shared framework to guide how we explore, adopt, and use artificial intelligence. Our approach is safe, ethical, and human-centered.

This framework reflects our Stronger Together commitment to challenging experiences that foster confidence, collaborative relationships that build community, and creative environments that ignite curiosity.

This framework is designed to:

Establish a common understanding
Clarify the role of AI in our schools and how it will be used responsibly, transparently, and in partnership with our community.

Provide practical guidance
Support students, staff, and families with clear expectations, responsible use guidelines, and decision-making principles.

Set guardrails
Ensure safety, protect privacy, and uphold ethics and academic integrity.

Keep people at the center
Reinforce that AI is a tool in service of teaching, learning, and the development of the whole child.

Mission

Challenging experiences foster confidence, collaborative relationships build community, and creative environments ignite curiosity.

Vision

We develop each student to be emotionally resilient, socially skilled, and academically prepared by forging connections within, across, and beyond classrooms while embracing each student’s uniqueness.

Core Values reflected in our AI approach:

• Authentic and meaningful learning experiences
• Social-emotional learning as a foundation
• Inclusive and student-centered practices
• Equity and belonging
• Respectful dialogue and thoughtful reflection

In 2025, District 109 formed an AI Advisory group that included 5th through 7th grade students, parents, teachers, administrators, and Board members. The group reflected diverse perspectives and experiences.

We partnered with LEAP Innovations and used a design thinking process to ensure our approach was thoughtful, people-driven, and grounded in classroom realities.

This guidebook is a living framework and will be reviewed and refined annually as technology evolves.