"Students will learn how to use AI," Assistant Superintendent Dr. Sanée Bell explained. "And also when it is and is not appropriate."
Bell, who presented the framework in front of the school board last week, called artificial intelligence "the current emerging technology of our times."
"It's here, and it's in our students' hands," she said. "Using it is changing how people work."
The district said its framework for using AI in the classroom was guided by one major question:
"Does it serve student growth and learning?"
Katy ISD said it will phase the use of AI into classrooms based on grade level and is not intended to replace teachers or staff.
For example, the framework states kids from kindergarten through sixth grade will largely be learning about the technology through their teacher.
Those students will also be unable to use generative AI such as Google Gemini, but the district says that doesn't mean the technology is outright banned in those classrooms.
"AI is used in a limited, supervised capacity in Katy ISD elementary schools to support instructional programs, but it is not broadly available for classroom use," the district said in a statement. "Generative AI chat tools, however, are prohibited for elementary students. The distinction is important because certain District-approved programs use artificial intelligence to support reading instruction and personalize learning while remaining under teacher supervision."
Bell said in her presentation that high school students will be able to use district-approved generative AI, but they must have permission from their teacher to do so.
Dr. Jaclyn Ocumpaugh is a professor at the University of Houston who has studied the use of AI in classrooms.
She believes teachers and administrators must play a crucial role as the technology develops.
"I think we want to make sure that our teachers really understand how these things work before we turn them loose in the classroom," Ocumpaugh said. " There are a lot of people that think this is basically Google on steroids, and it's not."
Ocumpaugh said one of her biggest concerns with the technology is making sure kids have their information protected.
Katy ISD said they will not use any AI platform that hasn't been reviewed and isn't compliant with federal education laws for protecting information.