Full Breakdown
Teens Simulate Senate to Draft a National AI Policy for K-12 Schools
7/30/2026, 8:48:26 PM
Core Event: A Student-Run “Senate” Passes the “Students First Act”
Over a frantic weekend in late July, 98 high-school juniors and seniors from all 50 states gathered in a replica of the U.S. Senate chamber at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute. Hand-picked by school leaders and hosted by the Edward M. Kennedy Institute, the School Superintendents Association (AASA), and the nonprofit Day of AI, the students debated, amended, and voted on a draft bill aimed at guiding AI use in K-12 classrooms. The “Students First Act” cleared the mock Senate by an 82-16 margin.
Key Provisions of the Students First Act
- AI Literacy: Schools must teach AI literacy as soon as classroom devices are introduced, covering misinformation, plagiarism, bias, privacy, and environmental impact.
- Restrictions on Tests: AI use is prohibited on all graded examinations.
- Student Accountability: Students permitted to use AI must cite its role and demonstrate mastery through oral defenses, handwritten tests, or discussions.
- Plagiarism Review: Suspected AI-generated work is to be reviewed by two school officials in addition to any software check.
- Teacher Guidelines: Educators may employ AI for lesson planning, material creation, feedback, and instructional improvement, but must post a clear, written AI-usage policy each semester.
- Funding: The bill calls for federal assistance to help under-resourced schools implement the new requirements.
Participants and Perspectives
Hunter Wurzel (Ohio) warned that “We missed the mark with social media and phones,” highlighting past tech-policy gaps.
Lucia Herrera (Missouri) objected to an early draft that allowed unrestricted AI use, noting “There’s nothing that says students need to be proficient before using it.”
Campbell McHenry (Mississippi) cautioned that unchecked AI could “go unhinged,” leading students to rely on machines rather than learning.
Opposing voices included Om Lala (California), who flagged teacher workload, and Tristan Tjetjep (Tennessee), who raised concerns about funding for under-privileged schools.
Official Responses & Next Steps
AASA plans to circulate the draft to its 10,000 member school leaders, many of whom are already crafting AI policies in the absence of federal regulation.
