Artificial Intelligence at Uplift Education

Resources for families, scholars, and staff to support safe, responsible, and human-centered use of AI.

Uplift Education is committed to protecting scholar learning, privacy, and academic integrity while preparing our community for an AI-ready future. 

Ai At Best Charter School Texas Education

Family Resources

Uplift Education is taking a thoughtful approach to AI use that protects scholar learning, privacy, and academic integrity. 
 
Families can review Uplift’s AI guidance, scholar expectations, and support resources. 

Uplift AI Guidebook

Full public guidebook and governance framework.

Scholar AI Quick Reference

What scholars can and cannot do.

Best Charter School Texas Education

Family Guide to AI at Uplift Education

Practical guidance for families on safe, responsible AI use.

Academic Integrity and AI Use

When AI must be cited or disclosed.

Grade-Level AI Expectations

K–2, 3–5, 6–7, 8, and 9–12 guidance.

Academic Integrity

AI should enhance scholarly work, never create it in its entirety. If a scholar represents AI-generated work as their own original work, that is a violation of the Code of Character, Conduct, and Support for academic dishonesty. Building the skills scholars need to work independently is the goal of instruction at Uplift. As scholars master those skills, they can learn to use AI in the most efficient and appropriate ways. 

Transparency & Citation

Whenever AI contributes to a final product, its use should be disclosed and attributed. The level of disclosure depends on the assignment or work product: in some cases, a full citation is appropriate (e.g., a formal research paper), while in others a short disclosure statement is sufficient (e.g., brainstorming or email drafting). Specify the tool used, the nature of the assistance, and the date, following the relevant style guide (MLA, APA, etc.).

Sample Citation — MLA

Prompt, name of tool, version, company, date of generation, general URL of tool.

ChatGPT. “Describe the causes of the Dust Bowl and its impact on Texas farmers.” OpenAI, 17 Apr. 2026, https://chat.openai.com.

Sample Citation — APA

Company, year of version, name of model including date, media descriptor in brackets, general URL of tool.

OpenAI. (2026, April 17). ChatGPT [Large language model response]. https://chat.openai.com.

Sample Disclosure Statement

A short statement at the beginning or end of an AI-assisted document is often sufficient:

  • Brainstormed and narrowed a topic using an approved AI tool.
  • Generated a first-draft outline, then revised and rewrote it independently.
  • Used an AI tool to check grammar and clarity on the final draft.

Scholar Can's and Cannot's

A scholar CAN…

A scholar CANNOT…

Use AI with explicit teacher permission to brainstorm, practice, review, or refine their own work

Submit AI-generated content as their own original work

Use teacher-assigned, district-approved tools that have AI built in 

Use AI as the sole source of an assignment, or when AI is not permitted 

Use approved assistive/accessibility AI supports from an ARD, 504, or authorized support plan 

Cheat, plagiarize, or mislead others about the origin of their work

Disclose and cite when and how AI was used

Generate fake images, impersonate others, or create content that targets themselves nor others

Ask a teacher or administrator before using any tool they are unsure about

Share personal or identifying information with AI tools or chatbots

Treat AI like a public website — share only what is necessary 

Bypass internet filters, firewalls, or monitoring; or upload school documents to unapproved tools

AI Use by Grade Level

As an IB network, Uplift supports responsible AI use that strengthens learning while keeping critical thinking, inquiry, and human relationships at the center. AI can support learning, but it should never replace strong instruction or a scholar’s own reading, writing, reasoning, and decision-making. 

Developmentally Appropriate AI Use 

AI access expands as scholars grow in maturity and skill.

Grade Level

AI Access

Learning Focus

Kindergarten – 2nd

Teacher demonstration only

Understanding that AI can help, but can also be wrong

3rd – 5th

Teacher-guided use of approved tools

Checking AI responses, fairness, and bias 

6th – 7th

Teacher-guided use of approved tools

AI literacy, accuracy, bias, and academic integrity

8th

Supervised use of approved tools with teacher permission

Prompting, citation, privacy, and evaluating AI responses

9th – 12th

Approved tools with teacher permission

Advanced evaluation, responsible AI use, and college and career applications

For scholars under age 13, AI use must be educator-mediated and limited to Uplift-approved tools that meet applicable student privacy requirements.

When Scholars May Use AI

With teacher permission, AI may be used to:

  • Explore and better understand concepts.
  • Practice skills and receive feedback.
  • Review facts, definitions, formulas, and models.
  • Organize, edit, or strengthen scholar-created work.
  • Generate ideas for projects, writing, research, or creative work.
  • Support research and synthesis while verifying information with trusted sources.

AI may assist, but it may not replace instruction, serve as the sole source for an assignment, or replace a scholar’s own thinking.

When teachers assign an Uplift-approved instructional tool with built-in AI, that assignment serves as permission to use the tool. General-purpose AI tools require explicit teacher permission.

Purposeful Use

AI use should be brief, intentional, and connected to a learning goal. Teachers may identify expectations for assignments using guidance such as:

No AI | Assistive AI Only | AI Allowed with Citation

Younger scholars should spend more time developing foundational skills independently before relying on AI assistance.

Accessibility & Accommodations

AI-enabled assistive technology and accessibility tools may be used when included in an approved IEP, 504 Plan, IHP, or other support plan. Documented accommodations take precedence over general grade-level AI guidance.

Uplift is committed to ensuring AI supports equitable access, participation, and scholar progress.

Privacy & Data Protection (Scholars)

Uplift is committed to protecting scholars’ personal identifying information whether at school, at home, or in the community. Scholars should use only district-approved tools during school hours and exercise the same caution outside of school. If unsure whether a tool is approved, scholars should check with a teacher or campus administrator first.

  • Use AI tools that are age-appropriate, reputable, and approved by the school or trusted adults.
  • Never enter personal identifying information — full name, home address, phone number, school ID, birthday, social security number, or photos — into any AI system. This includes a scholar’s own personal identifying information, any other scholar’s personal identifying information, and any Uplift staff member’s personal identifying information.
  • Understand that many AI tools store, reuse, and learn from what users type, even casual questions.
  • Always ask: “Who is behind this tool, what data does it collect, and how might it be used?”

Frequently Asked Questions

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is technology that can generate, organize, summarize, or respond to information based on patterns in data. AI can be a helpful learning tool, but it can also provide incorrect, incomplete, or biased information. Scholars should always think critically and verify information using trusted sources. 

It depends on the scholar’s age, grade level, and the assignment. 

Scholars under age 13 may not independently use general-purpose AI tools such as ChatGPT. Their AI use must be teacher-guided and limited to Uplift-approved tools. 

Beginning in Grade 8, scholars age 13 and older may use approved general-purpose AI tools for specific assignments when they have explicit teacher permission. 

AI may assist, but it may not replace a scholar’s own thinking or work. 

Uplift-approved instructional tools may include AI features that support learning. When a teacher assigns one of these tools as part of a lesson, scholars may use its approved AI features as directed. 

General-purpose AI tools, such as ChatGPT, require explicit teacher permission before they are used for schoolwork. 

Because approved technology may change, families should follow current guidance from their scholar’s teacher or campus.

Scholars are expected to be transparent about their AI use. When AI contributes to an assignment, scholars must disclose the tool they used, explain how they used it, and provide citations when required. 

Teachers will also provide expectations for each assignment, including whether AI is: 

No AI | Assistive AI Only | AI Allowed With Citation 

Using AI to create work and submitting it as the scholar’s own original work is considered academic dishonesty under Uplift’s Code of Character, Conduct, and Support. 

Scholars are responsible for following teacher directions, using AI only when permitted, and completing the thinking and learning required by the assignment.

Start with your scholar’s teacher if you have questions about whether AI is allowed for a specific assignment or tool. 

For broader questions about AI expectations, approved technology, accessibility supports, or school policies, families may contact their campus leadership team.