The Classroom AI Policy Spectrum

A Teacher's Quick Reference

Print this. Keep it on your desk. Use it every time you build an assignment.

The Four Levels

Level 0 — No AI

When to use it: The assignment is assessing unaided skill. The point is for you to know what the student can do on their own.

Examples: Timed in-class essay · Foundational skills quiz · Lab write-up · In-class problem set · Standardized test prep

Say to students:

For this assignment, AI tools may not be used in any form. I want to see what you can do.

What to look for: Unusual vocabulary or sentence structure inconsistent with prior work; inability to explain claims when asked.

Level 1 — Brainstorm Only

When to use it: The final product must be the student's own work, but using AI to generate ideas, outlines, or examples first is fine.

Examples: Essay planning · Thesis generation · Counterargument brainstorming · Research topic exploration

Say to students:

You may use AI to brainstorm, outline, or generate examples — but every word in your final submission must be yours.

What to look for: Students who submit work with no visible ideation trail; ask to see the outline or pre-writing.

Level 2 — Draft + Substantial Revision

When to use it: AI can produce a first draft, but the student must meaningfully revise, fact-check, and own every word of the final version.

Examples: First drafts of research papers · Initial code structures · Report outlines

Say to students:

AI may produce a draft. Your job is to revise it substantially — change the structure, verify every claim, and make it yours. You should be able to explain any sentence in the final version.

What to look for: Light edits only; inability to explain specific word choices or claims; no fact-checking of AI output evident.

Level 3 — AI-Assisted, Fully Disclosed

When to use it: AI use throughout is permitted — and documenting how it was used is part of the assignment.

Examples: AI literacy activities · Prompt engineering practice · Comparative analysis of AI outputs · Media literacy exercises

Say to students:

AI use is part of this assignment. Document what you asked, what it produced, what you changed, and why.

What to look for: Process documentation that's vague or inconsistent; this level is about showing the process, not just acknowledging AI was used.

When a Student Asks "Can I Use AI for This?"

If a level is assigned: Remind them what level applies and what it means.

If no level is assigned: Default to Level 1 — brainstorm only, final work is theirs.

If they ask mid-assignment: Answer the question, note the clarification, and consider updating the assignment sheet for next time — ambiguity is a design problem, not a student problem.

If you suspect a violation: See the AI Academic Integrity Incident Response Guide.

Quick Prompts to Add to Any Assignment Sheet

Level 0: AI tools are not permitted for this assignment.

Level 1: AI may be used to brainstorm and plan; all written work must be your own.

Level 2: AI may be used to produce a draft; substantial revision and fact-checking are required.

Level 3: AI use is permitted throughout; document your process and submit it with the assignment.

The Question That Catches Everything

If a student is unsure whether their use is okay:

Would you be comfortable explaining exactly how you used AI to your teacher right now?

If yes — they're probably fine. If no — they already know the answer.

Part of HeyOtto's Teacher's Guide to AI in the Classroom resource series. For a full guide on AI policy in schools, see The Rules of Responsible AI Use.

Keep exploring

Why policy alone won’t stop AI cheating · Academic integrity policy starter · Teaching AI literacy · See the platform · Talk to us