The Acalanes Union High School District (AUHSD) is currently in the process of implementing a new policy on AI; specifically, Google’s AI platforms: Gemini and NotebookLM. Up until now, all use of AI in the school district has been strictly prohibited, with teachers from Miramonte, Acalanes, Las Lomas, and Campolindo using AI detectors on many students’ assignments.
The current AUHSD Academic Honesty Code cites “inappropriate or unauthorized use of generative Artificial Intelligence or other technology tools” as an example of academic misconduct. Consequences for using Artificial Intelligence in these ways can include a student conference with a teacher and staff member, losing credit for the assignment, loss of positive recommendations for future colleges or jobs, and much more.
As of Jan. 21, 2026, the AUHSD School Board has implemented a new rule citing that students now have access to Google AI Gemini and NotebookLM. All students received an administration announcement on their Canvas home pages on Wednesday morning, stating that they will have full access to Notebook LM and Gemini through their school accounts. “When authorized by your teacher, you will be able to use Gemini and NotebookLM for appropriate tasks such as research, individualized academic support, and studying. Students should always check with their teachers about appropriate AI use. Presenting AI-generated work as your own original work is academically dishonest,” the announcement said. Although the use of these AI-generated resources are now available to students, not all teachers might allow it or encourage students to use it in class. English and Journalism teacher believes that AI has cheapened her student’s education and discourages use of it in the classroom. “I do not plan on encouraging students to use Gemini or Notebook LM, like any LLM. Since I am an English teacher, I need to assess my student’s reading, writing, and speaking/listening skills without the support of AI,” Llewellyn said.
The use of AI in class is used in different ways. One productive way to use it is to generate study guides, practice tests, and more practice for school in general. “I feel it’s a really good source to make study guides and practice test in order to prep for assignments and test.”Sophomore Bella Hanlon said. However, teachers have noticed that cases of cheating have increased since the school has allowed this new policy on AI. “Before 2023, I’ve had only a couple of cheating cases per year. Now, I’ve had dozens of cases per year,” Llewellyn said. Although having access the Gemini can help students with study habits, and enhancing ideas, it can be tempting for them to run to it to complete the work for them.
Even though Miramonte and the district are becoming more tolerant of AI, that isn’t the same everywhere. According to Stateline, “Agencies in at least 28 states and the District of Columbia have issued guidance on the use of AI in K-12 schools.” North Carolina was one of the first states to allow AI use in classrooms; however, they emphasized the importance of studying and defining generative AI use in classrooms. Their policy also includes resources for students and teachers to learn how to interact with AI in a positive and productive way. According to Aiforeducation, as of Oct. 2025, approximately 33 states (including Puerto Rico) have implemented AI in classrooms, all with different regulations. The remaining states include Idaho, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Iowa, Illinois, Arkansas., Tennessee., Florida., South Carolina., Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont., New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Maryland.
As schools across the country navigate a way to use AI in a respectful and responsible way, Miramonte is implementing a way to do so. The use of AI is now allowed and tolerated in certain instances around our school. However the abuse of this privilege will still result in the same consequences as before this switch. “Having this source of AI reassures me, but I also try my best not to use it in a bad way,” Hanlon said. This shift marks Miramonte’s latest effort to balance emerging technology with long-standing academic expressions.
