The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in K-12 education has created new ethical, legal, and behavioral challenges for schools. This research report examines how Florida public school district codes of conduct address student use of AI, including links to academic dishonesty and technology misuse. We analyzed 73 codes of conduct published in the 2024-2025 school year from 67 county-based districts and six special districts, connecting policy content to district characteristics. Fewer than one-quarter of districts explicitly referenced AI in their codes of conduct, primarily within academic integrity sections, and all districts that referenced AI allowed AI use under some circumstances rather than complete prohibitions. Urban districts, those with larger student enrollments, and those serving higher proportions of racial minority students or English Learners were more likely to reference AI, whereas districts with smaller enrollments, higher White student composition, and higher free/reduced lunch eligibility generally did not. These patterns suggest uneven policy development and highlight potential differences in disciplinary application. The report underscores the need for clear discipline guidance regarding AI use in schools. Findings are paired with example codes of conduct to inform district-level policy and promote proactive approaches by schools to AI-related student behavior.
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Disciplining AI Use: How School District Codes of Conduct Govern Students’ Use of AI in Florida
F. Chris Curran & Jiyeon Goo
UF Education Policy Research Center Policy Brief
