What School Districts Actually Can't Control

In this episode we explore a growing problem for school districts: how do you govern AI use when you cannot clearly see where or how it is already being used?Looking at recent policy moves in New York City, Fairfax County Public Schools, and Katy ISD, we examine the gap between official AI rules and the reality inside schools. Topics covered:Why districts often lack a complete inventory of AI toolsNew AI restrictions in New York City, Fairfax County, and Katy ISDWhy defining “AI” is harder than it soundsThe limits of bans, firewalls, and approved-tool listsThe trade-off between surveillance and teacher autonomyThe risks of policies that districts cannot consistently enforceWhy AI governance is now more urgent than AI adoptionWhat the forthcoming student-led AI Bill of Rights for Schools could add to the debateSources:https://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/katy/article/katy-isd-ai-policy-generative-ai-students-22357245.phphttps://www.the74million.org/article/students-convene-to-hammer-out-ai-bill-of-rights-for-schools/https://www.ffxnow.com/2026/07/23/fairfax-county-school-board-approves-restrictions-on-generative-ai-digital-devices/