GORHAM (WGME) — Gorham Public Schools is launching an artificial intelligence handbook.
It’s geared toward students, to help them understand when and when not to use AI in the classroom.
School leaders say the more-than-20-page handbook has been a year in the making, and they just finished it, but they are also hoping with Wednesday being the last day of school for Gorham, students will have time over the summer to read and fully understand the use of AI in the classroom ahead of the 2026 school year.
AI platforms such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini are gaining traction, with more than 50 percent of Americans using them almost daily, and students are starting to catch on.
“Definitely use AI,” Gorham High School student Owen Frie said. “I’ve used it for math a lot because I struggle with it.”
“I think students use it a lot on projects,” Gorham High School student Hailey LaConte said.
Gorham Public Schools is launching an artificial intelligence handbook. (WGME)
Gorham Public Schools is now making an initiative to ensure the use of AI among students is done properly.
“With the utilization of this tool in our schools, students don’t become less students,” Gorham Public Schools Superintendent Heather Perry said. “That’s still your responsibility to learn and to engage in learning and be a student.”
A newly printed AI handbook divides restrictions on the use of AI by grade.
Gorham Public Schools is launching an artificial intelligence handbook. (WGME)
Pre-K through Grade 2, teachers are only allowed to use AI, Grades 3-8, there is teacher-guided exposure to AI and all high school students have expanded independent use of AI.
Some of the students are turning their back on AI.
“I don’t personally use AI,” Gorham High School student Ella Ferrante said. “I am definitely trying to use it less.”
Gorham school leaders say AI can be used to brainstorm ideas or get feedback on writing, but students must cite that they used it.
Gorham Public Schools is launching an artificial intelligence handbook. (WGME)
AI can’t be used to write an essay or help with tests. If the handbook is violated, the issue will fall under the district’s academic integrity and code of conduct policy.
“We’re not trying to put any kind of label on AI, whether it’s good or bad,” Perry said. “We know it’s going to impact our students as they leave our schools and enter the workforce.”
Students say the high school is already lenient on the use of AI and say that oftentimes, students get away with using it in ways they are not supposed to.
School leaders say they are now writing up an AI handbook specifically for staff.