FCPS board approves student AI ban with instructional and accessibility exceptions
The school board voted 6–1 to restrict AI use across all grades after hearing from teachers, while preserving specified educational uses and required accommodations.
HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW
The board approved the policy Oct. 7 in a 6–1 vote, according to The Frederick News-Post. Restrictions cover students in all grades, with exceptions for AI literacy, required course or extracurricular uses, and superintendent-approved uses. AI use must remain available when required by an IEP, Section 504 Plan or law.
Frederick County’s school board voted Wednesday, Oct. 7, to ban student use of artificial intelligence across all grades, while preserving exceptions for specific educational purposes and required accommodations.
The 6–1 vote followed public comments from teachers who urged the board to go beyond restrictions for younger students, according to The Frederick News-Post. Board Vice President Rae Gallagher cast the opposing vote.
The policy permits AI when necessary for AI literacy instruction, when required for a course or extracurricular activity, or when approved by the superintendent or a designee. It also requires that AI use be allowed when included in a student’s Individualized Education Program, Section 504 Plan or otherwise required by law.
Those provisions mean the board’s decision is not an absolute prohibition on every classroom use of the technology.
Before the meeting, the board had been considering restrictions covering either pre-K through fifth grade or pre-K through eighth grade. FCPS staff recommended the narrower elementary-grade restriction, the News-Post reported.
Four Urbana High School teachers spoke in favor of a broader ban during public comment. Former student board member and Linganore High School graduate Alex Thomas also supported extending it through high school.
Student board member Thora Mintz urged a full student ban during the discussion. Several board members expressed concern that AI could allow students to bypass the work needed to develop their own knowledge and skills.
Board member Chad King Wilson Sr. initially proposed a pre-K through eighth-grade restriction. After public comment, board President Dean Rose said he would support only an all-grade ban. Wilson withdrew his earlier motion and introduced the broader proposal.
Gallagher argued that safeguards already existed around FCPS’ implementation of Google Gemini for middle and high school students. She also pointed to potential benefits such as study aids and said limiting high school students’ access could affect preparation for college.
The board was developing its policy in response to Maryland’s Artificial Intelligence Ready Schools Act. The News-Post reported that FCPS faced an Oct. 22 deadline to implement its policy.
WHAT IT MEANS
Families and students will need to distinguish general AI use from the specific uses the policy permits. Instruction about how AI works can continue under the literacy exception, and required accommodations remain protected. The supplied report does not specify a rollout date or disciplinary procedures.
Original reporting referenced by Everything Frederick:
The Frederick News-Post — Reporting by Sarah Rubinstein. Adapted from the supplied article. →Want more Frederick updates like this?
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