City of Manassas School Board Leaves AI Language Out of Student Code of Conduct
2 Min Brief
Why it matters
Artificial intelligence tools are becoming increasingly common in classrooms and student assignments, raising questions about when their use supports learning and when it crosses the line into plagiarism or cheating.
The Manassas City School Board considered adding specific AI language to its Student Code of Conduct but voted 6–1 to approve the code without it.
What happened
During its July review of the Student Code of Conduct, the School Board considered adding language clarifying that misuse of artificial intelligence could constitute plagiarism.
One Board member supported adding the language, arguing that AI misuse should be treated similarly to copying work from another person, book or website.
Other Board members raised concerns about fairness and enforcement, including whether students should face AI-specific disciplinary language before the school division has reliable tools and consistent procedures for determining when AI has been improperly used.
The Board voted 6–1 to approve the Student Code of Conduct without specific AI language.
MCPS nevertheless has an existing policy and regulatory framework addressing the use of generative artificial intelligence in school settings.
Key facts and numbers
- Vote:6–1 to approve the Student Code of Conduct without the proposed AI-specific language.
- Proposal:The proposed language would have clarified that misuse of AI could fall under plagiarism.
- Existing guidance:MCPS already maintains rules governing generative artificial intelligence in school settings.
- Academic integrity:Existing rules concerning plagiarism, cheating and student technology use remain in effect.
- AI detection:MCPS previously sought an Artificial Intelligence Detection Program as the division considered how AI-generated work could be identified.
The decision does not mean students have unrestricted permission to use artificial intelligence.
Students remain responsible for following teacher instructions, academic-integrity requirements and MCPS technology rules.
What’s next
The question now shifts from whether AI should appear explicitly in the Student Code of Conduct to how MCPS will apply its existing rules in classrooms.
Among the issues to watch during the 2026–27 school year:
- How will MCPS define acceptable and unacceptable student use of AI?
- When must students disclose or cite AI assistance?
- What guidance will teachers receive?
- How will suspected misuse be evaluated?
- Will the School Board revisit explicit AI language in a future Student Code of Conduct?
Where residents can learn more
MCPS School Board
Agendas, meeting materials, minutes and recordings of School Board meetings.
MCPS Generative Artificial Intelligence Policy and Regulation
The school division’s existing rules governing the use of generative AI in school settings.
MCPS Student Code of Conduct
The current rules governing student behavior and academic integrity.
Journal Note
The Manassas Journal will continue following how MCPS applies its artificial intelligence rules during the 2026–27 school year and whether the School Board revisits AI-specific language in future student conduct policies.
