A Resource by Aaron Makelky
Book a CallThe Wyoming AI Policy Kickstart Kit
Your 5-Step Framework for Developing Responsible AI Policy Aligned with WDE Guidance
A Resource by Aaron Makelky, Your "Teacher on the Ground" AI Consultant
Book a Free Strategy CallThe Challenge & The Opportunity
Your school board is asking. Your teachers are experimenting. Your students are already experts. You need a clear, responsible AI policy, but the WDE guidance feels overwhelming. Where do you even begin?
This kit simplifies the WDE guidance into 5 actionable steps. It helps you build a thoughtful, practical policy that fosters innovation while managing riskā€”without getting bogged down.
STEP 1
Assemble Your Guidance Team
Don't Go It Alone: The WDE's First Principle is Collaboration. A diverse team is crucial for success, buy-in, and creating a policy that truly serves your entire school community.
Action Checklist: Your Guidance Team Roster
STEP 2
Define Your Vision with WDE's 7 Guiding Principles
A policy needs a North Star. Before writing rules, your team must agree on these foundational principles to guide your work.
Action Worksheet: Guiding Principles Discussion Starter
1. Purpose:
How will AI help us achieve our district's goals?
2. Compliance:
What are our legal obligations for FERPA, CIPA, & COPPA?
3. Knowledge:
How will we promote AI literacy for staff, students, and parents?
4. Balance:
How will we mitigate risks while realizing the benefits of AI?
5. Integrity:
How will we redefine academic honesty and the value of original work?
6. Agency:
How will we ensure humans, not AI, are the final decision-makers?
7. Evaluation:
How and when will we review this policy as technology changes?
STEP 3
Draft Key Policy Components Using WDE Frameworks
From Principles to Practice: Answering the Hard Questions. Use the WDE's "Student AI Usage Continuum" as the core of your acceptable use policy. This provides a clear, pedagogically sound framework.
Action Item: Define Your Levels of AI Use (per WDE Guidance)
AI FREE
- Work must be completed entirely without any AI assistance.
- Students must rely entirely on their own knowledge, understanding, and skills.
- Any AI use is a violation of student academic integrity.
- An academic honesty pledge that AI was not used may be required.
AI ASSISTED
- AI is used for tasks as specified such as brainstorming, planning, or feedback.
- No AI content is allowed in the final submission.
- Usage beyond specified tasks is a violation of academic integrity.
- Disclosure statement & links to AI Chats should be submitted with final product.
AI ENHANCED
- AI is used interactively throughout to enhance your knowledge, efficiency, & creativity.
- Student must provide human oversight and evaluation of all AI generated content.
- Interactivity with AI and critical engagement with AI-generated content is required.
- Student is responsible for the accuracy and fairness of all AI-generated content.
- Detailed disclosure statement and links to AI Chats should be submitted with final product.
AI EMPOWERED
- The full integration of AI allows for the creation of things that were previously impossible, empowering students as critical thinkers, creatives, and problem solvers.
- Student must provide human oversight and evaluation of all AI-generated content.
- Student is responsible for the accuracy, fairness, & originality of all AI-generated content.
- Detailed disclosure statement and links to AI Chats should be submitted with final product.
STEP 4
Plan for Training & Cyclical Review
A policy is only as good as its implementation. The WDE sees policy development as a living process involving ongoing organizational learning and feedback.
Action Checklist: Your Implementation & Review Plan
STEP 5
The Quick Wins Checklist for Your Next Board Meeting
Walk into your next meeting with confidence. This checklist allows you to show your board you have a proactive, responsible, and WDE-aligned plan in motion.
Show Your Board You have a Responsible Plan
About Your Guide
You have the framework. Now comes the hard part: facilitating the discussions, managing the stakeholders, and turning these steps into a coherent, board-ready policy. This is where I come in.
As a practicing teacher and AI consultant, I help Wyoming school leaders navigate this exact process. I understand the view from the classroom and the district office.
Ready to Move from Framework to a Finished Policy?
Book a complimentary 30-Minute AI Policy Strategy Call. We'll review your team's progress on this Kickstart Kit and map out the fastest path to a board-approved policy.
Book Your Free Strategy Call