Pasco County Schools to Integrate AI Tool, Microsoft Copilot, into Classrooms
LAND O’ LAKES, fla. (WFLA) – Pasco County Schools are shifting their approach to artificial intelligence, announcing they will allow students to utilize Microsoft Copilot as a learning aid. Superintendent john legg stated the district recognizes the pervasiveness of AI, saying, ”You can no longer bury your head in the sand and say we’re not going to use AI because it’s literally everywhere…you’re saying don’t use technology.”
The decision comes as the district acknowledges students are already accessing AI tools. Legg emphasized the importance of providing guidance, stating, “Students are using AI right now. The question is are we providing the guidelines and the expectations for them on how to use it.”
Under the new guidelines, students under the age of 13 will not be permitted to use AI for schoolwork. All students utilizing copilot will be required to clearly identify portions of their work that received AI assistance.
Individual teachers will retain the authority to determine when and how AI can be used in their classrooms,with some assignments remaining “old-fashioned” and requiring self-reliant completion.
“We wont our students to be critical thinkers and independent thinkers but if we don’t provide the framework to use that tool they will become addicted and they will use it in the inappropriate way,” legg explained. Potential uses include grammar and spelling checks, and assistance with brainstorming and organizing ideas.
Pasco County teachers have already begun using Copilot to aid in lesson planning and assignment creation.The software will be rolled out for student use beginning in December.