Dear Supporters of Responsible AI Use in FCPS Schools,
We wanted to provide you with an important update - Superintendent Reid has removed ALL language in the FCPS AI policy about procedures, transparency, governance, oversight, instructional use framework & training, mental health & crisis protocols, and REPLACED it to give Dr. Reid complete control:
"The Fairfax County School Board shall direct the Division Superintendent to ensure that staff continues to monitor key areas of concern for use of artificial intelligence (AI) by teachers and with students: rigorous approval of all tools used by staff and students, mental health and crisis protocols, instructional framework alignment, AI literacy training for students, and ongoing professional development for teachers and staff. As this technology continues to evolve rapidly so must the FCPS AI Policy and regulation. FCPS staff shall conduct reviews of AI related policy and regulations every TWO years and recommend appropriate modifications to keep in alignment with the technology upgrades."
Dr. Reid's latest version of FCPS AI policy
In contrast, this is a school board member's version of AI policy which we think is better.
3 ACTION ITEMS TO DO RIGHT NOW (TODAY):
1) Reach out to your school board rep and the 3 at-large reps who represent all constituents. A template is provided here. Find your representative here or SEND TO DR. REID <mcreid@fcps.edu>
TODAY at 4 pm there is a governance meeting where they will discuss this wording. SENDING EMAILS BEFORE 3PM may get their attention! Representatives in the governance meeting are: Superintendent Reid, Frisch, Meren, Lady, Ricardy Anderson, St. John-Cunning. These are the most likely to notice emails sent TODAY.
2) SPEAK at a school board meeting. YOU CAN STILL REGISTER BEFORE 4PM TODAY for the School Board Meeting held THIS THURSDAY at Luther Jackson Middle School at 7pm. Speakers can send in pre-taped comments (lasting 2 minutes) or speak in person but they have to REGISTER FIRST. Registration to speak or send in a pre-recorded statement here.
3) PAY ATTENTION to the calendar. There are 3 more Governance Meetings where this may be discussed: March 17 (TODAY), April 14th, May 19th. There are 6 more School Board Meetings where you can speak up: March 19, March 26, April 9, April 23, May 7, May 21, & June 11.
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) must put meaningful guardrails in place before expanding AI use any further.
Please reach out if you have any questions or would like to get more involved to support this important initiative.
Respectfully,
FCPS Parents for Intentional Technology
FCPS.parents.for.intentional.tech@gmail.com
lryong Moon, at large, imoon@fcps.edu
Kyle McDaniel, at large, rkmcdaniel@fcps.edu
Ryan McElveen, at large, rlmcelveen@fcps.edu
Robyn Lady, Drainesville, ralady1@fcps.edu
Marcia St. John-Cunning, Franconia, mstjohncunni@fcps.edu
Melanie Meren, Hunter Mill, mkmeren@fcps.edu
Dr. Ricardy Anderson, Mason, rjanderson@fcps.edu
Mateo Dunne, Mount Vernon, mdunne@fcps.edu
Karl Frisch, Providence, kvfrisch@fcps.edu
Sandy Anderson, Springfield, sbanderson@fcps.edu
Seema Dixit, Sully, sdixit@fcps.edu
Faith Mekonen, Student Rep, kevin.jackson2@fcps.edu
Gautaum Sethi, Chief IT Officer, gsethi@fcps.edu
Dr. Nardos King, Chief Equity Officer, magodart@fcps.edu
Dr. Sloan Presidio, Chief Academic Officer, sjpresidio@fcps.edu
Dr. Geovanny Ponce, Chief of Schools, gjponce@fcps.edu
Dr. Michelle Reid, Superintendent, mcreid@fcps.edu