Columbus City Schools AI Policy (teacher discretion, plagiarism rules)
Columbus City Schools — AI Use Policy (Board of Education, March 31, 2026)
Columbus, OH · Columbus City Schools Board of Education AI Use Policy adoption, March 31, 2026
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- March 31, 2026
- Applies to
- Teachers, administrators, students, and contractors of Columbus City Schools
- Enforced by
- Columbus City Schools Board of Education / Superintendent
Columbus City Schools Board of Education voted unanimously on March 31, 2026 to adopt a new artificial intelligence use policy across Ohio's largest school district. The policy gives teachers discretion on whether to allow students to use AI on assignments, treats unauthorized AI use as plagiarism, bans AI-generated deepfakes or derogatory representations of students or staff, and prohibits AI as the sole basis for grading or discipline. Focuses on data privacy, student safety, and academic integrity. Districts were required to adopt AI policies by July 1, 2026 under Ohio HB 96.
Who is protected: Students, families, and staff in Columbus City Schools
Legal detail
Columbus City Schools (Franklin County, OH) Board of Education unanimous policy adoption March 31, 2026. Compliance instrument under Ohio HB 96 (FY 2026-27 budget). Key rules: teacher discretion on student AI use (case-by-case per assignment); unauthorized AI = plagiarism under Student Code of Conduct; bans AI deepfakes/impersonation of students, staff, volunteers, board members; prohibits AI as sole basis for grading or discipline; developed with ~50 stakeholders. Ohio's largest school district (~49,000 students, ~110 schools).
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Columbus, OH |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | March 31, 2026 |
| Citation | Columbus City Schools Board of Education AI Use Policy adoption, March 31, 2026 |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Disciplinary policy per district codes and Student Code of Conduct; not statutory |
| Topics | education AI · automated decision-making · children's online safety · consumer data privacy · AI disclosure and transparency |
| News report | Columbus City Schools passes new AI policy giving teachers discretion on student use — WOSU Public Media (March 31, 2026) |
More AI rules in Columbus, OH
Related education AI rules elsewhere
- Blanchester OH schools AI policy EDEC (Jun. 29, 2026) · In effect
- Portland Public Schools genAI pause (Jun. 23, 2026) · In effect
- CA AB 2148 no-AI school employees (2026) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- FCPS formal generative AI restrictions — elementary ban, secondary authorization required · In effect
- NYC DOE Generative AI Moratorium (K-8, 2026-27) · In effect
- SF5231 · Expired
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