Charleston County
School District
Generative AI
Charleston County School District is building a thoughtful, responsible approach to AI by preparing students and educators for a rapidly changing world while protecting academic integrity and student well-being.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how people learn, work, and solve problems. CCSD recognizes that students entering today's classrooms will graduate into a world where AI fluency is a foundational skill and that educators need the training and tools to guide that learning responsibly.
Rather than reacting to AI as a challenge to academic integrity alone, the district is taking a proactive stance: developing clear policies, building educator capacity, and creating conditions for AI to serve as a genuine learning tool for every student.
Generative AI- The District's Approach.
Further Video Resources
Timeline
Fall 2025
Stakeholder engagement & research
The district partnered with AI for Education, a national consulting group, to begin developing its AI strategy. CCSD held in-person collaborative sessions with parents, students, teachers, and staff to surface ideas and concerns. The Committee of the Whole received an hour-long workshop in November 2025 on the state of generative AI in K–12 education.
December 2025
Policy drafting
A cross-stakeholder working group finalized a draft AI policy covering literacy, tool use, and ethics. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Luke Clamp presented the framework at a district leadership press conference, describing it as the foundation for professional development and structured AI integration.
January 2026
Board approval
The Board of Trustees formally adopted CCSD's AI policy. The approved guidelines provide recommended guidance for teachers' use of generative AI in academic work and establish guardrails protecting students in high-stakes decisions.
Spring 2026
Implementation planning
The district began work on procedures, strategy, and licensing. CFO Daniel Prentice gathered input from students across multiple schools, including elementary, middle, and high school students, as well as parents, teachers, administrators, and representatives from Google. Funding for software and AI infrastructure was included in the FY2027 budget.
2026–27 School Year
Training & full implementation (Phase 2)
The district plans to roll out educator training and begin full classroom implementation during the upcoming school year, building on the policies and infrastructure established in Phase 1.
What families should know
Will students be required to use AI tools?
No. Teachers have discretion over whether and how AI tools are used in their classrooms. The district's framework provides guidance, not mandates, for classroom use.
How will CCSD protect student data?
Any AI tool adopted by the district must meet data privacy and security standards consistent with FERPA and district policy. Student information will not be used to train commercial AI models without appropriate authorization.
What about academic integrity and cheating?
Academic integrity is a core component of the district's AI framework. Teachers will establish clear expectations for each assignment, and the district is developing guidance to help educators assess authentic student work in an AI-enabled environment.
Can AI be used to make decisions about my child?
No. District policy explicitly prohibits AI from serving as the sole basis for high-stakes decisions, including discipline, special education placement, or academic advancement. Human judgment and oversight are required in all such decisions.
Family Resources
- What Parents and Caregivers Should Know
- How to Use AI Responsibly Every Time
- A Guide for Students
- Student Self-Reflection Checklist for Strategic GenAI Use
- The Five "S" Model