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How does AI impact our children?
How does AI impact our children?
Do you know how FCPS is using AI to teach your children? Do you know what your children are learning? Are they learning to think for themselves or are they learning how to write good AI prompts?
FCPS has joined a pilot for “ChatGPT for Teachers” without public explanation, safety review, or parental consent. OpenAI’s tools carry documented risks for children, teachers, and student data. We are asking the School Board to pause the rollout, engage families, and establish safeguards before proceeding.
Please read our open letter by following the link below and sign it if you agree!
https://www.change.org/p/responsible-ai-use-in-fairfax-county-public-schools
AI Timeline at FCPS, starting Fall 2025
AI Timeline at FCPS, starting Fall 2025
Below is a timeline of events regarding AI rollout in FCPS. This format is getting a little crowded as time goes by -- sorry, we're volunteers, not web designers! 🙂
Wednesday, Feb 12th, 2026
FCPS Board Meeting, Luther Jackson MS
Student Rep Faith Mekonen speaks out on the data privacy risk with ChatGPT and the financial impact down the road to the school district
Recording of Faith's testimony
Thurs, January 8, 2026
FCPS Board Meeting, Luther Jackson MS
2 parents from Oakton Balance gave public comments at the school board meeting about the proposed AI program to request for two-way engagement with parents in the community, transparency around the framework and process, and a tech advisory committee.
Board Meeting - YouTube with bookmarks
Thurs, Deccember 18, 2025
FCPS Board Meeting, Luther Jackson MS
7 parents from Oakton Balance presented to the school board imploring them to pause the AI program until further research has been conducted on privacy and human developmental implications.
Video clip of our testimony:
Mon, December 8, 2025
Oakton Balance Project publishes the Open Letter for the Responsible Use of AI in Fairfax County Public Schools
https://www.oakton-balance.org/open-letter
Mon, Nov 24, 10:15am
Superintendent’s Weekly Reflections message, from Superintendent Reid
This message repeats the previous message sent on Nov 19, and also mentions that ChatGPT is one of the leading artificial intelligence (AI) models currently available in the market and will provide access to this leading AI model, which can enable tasks like providing support, planning, communication, translation, and more, with strong privacy and security safeguards in place. Also mentions that this collaboration is driven by the FCPS Department of Information Technology (DIT) and will be a thoughtful, strategic, and secure integration of AI technology which upholds our strong commitment to privacy, as OpenAI has adhered to FCPS' Data Privacy Agreement and contract terms.
Wed, November 19, 2025, 4:15pm
AI Innovation at Fairfax County Public Schools message, from Superintendent Reid
FCPS will be in the first cohort of school divisions across the nation to use ChatGPT for Teachers. ChatGPT for Teachers will be free until June 2027. Superintendent Reid says OpenAI is ensuring FCPS privacy and security standards are being upheld in these tools, which will only be available for staff use.
Mon, November 3, 2025, 6:00pm
Meeting of the Moment, West Springfield HS
Hosted by Superintendent Reid, this event started with an interactive expo with FCPS AI partners: Google, Playlab, and Adobe Express. Hosted by Superintendent Reid with featured speakers Steven Butschi, Director of Education, North America - Google, and Yusuf Ahmad, CEO - Playlab. Focus was mainly on the positive aspects of AI use. When asked how soon students should be learning AI, Superintendent Rei answered, “The sooner, the better.”
October 13, 2025
Superintendent Dr. Reid's weekly statement
October 13, 2025Superintendent's Reid's weekly reflection October 13, 2025, she remarks that
An effective AI strategy must balance modern technology with active, human-connected learning experiences. We're preparing our students for careers that don't yet exist — we can't relegate our young people to passively relying on 'learning apps' or farming out their own human judgment to a machine!
Tue, Oct 7
Work Session including FCPS AI Update, hosted by Superintendent Reid
Dr. Babak Mostaghimi (Youtube, slides)
Dr. Mostaghimi summarizes the common AI pitfalls: (1) Do Not Just Put Kids on More Computer Programs (2) Do Not Give Up Your Thinking to AI (3) Do Not Let Tools Lead Instruction or Program Design (4) Be Cautious About Data Security
How can you help?
How can you help?
You can speak up at a board meeting!
You can speak up at a board meeting!
Starting Thursday, Dec 18th, the Oakton Balance (FCPS Parents for Intentional Tech) project started organizing an effort for parents to speak up and be heard. We have testified to the school board multiple times and will continue to recruit more parents to do so.
December 18th, 2025: 7 parents testified at the board meeting
January 7th: met with Melanie Meren & Dr. Richardy
February 26th, 2026: 3 more parents testified at the board meeting
February 12th, 2026: 3 more parents testified at the board meeting
January 22nd, 2026: 3 more parents testified at the board meeting
If you have something to say, we would love to hear your voice! Please get in touch using the links at the bottom of the page.
Link to Neil's pre-recorded appeal, which was played during meeting
You can reach out to your board member!
You can reach out to your board member!
Please make a copy of our petition and personalize it
Please send your letter to your FCPS board member. See below for instructions to find their contact information provided.
Please BCC fcps-balance@googlegroups.com
Additional resources you can include:
How do I find my board member?
How do I find my board member?
Type your address into the map on Fairfax My Neighborhood
Click on your address on the map
Scroll down to the bottom of the left pane (past your government reps)
Find the school board district member(s)
Look up their contact in the table to the right (or below on mobile phone)
Continue Learning about AI
Continue Learning about AI
New Legislation Would Ban AI from New York’s Schools: Opinion piece on keeping AI out of NY elementary and middle schools written by a NY assembly member
AI Chatbots for Mental Health Support: Common Sense Media chatbot analysis concluding that A.I. chatbots are “fundamentally unsafe for teen mental health support”
Without Rules, Will AI Threaten Our Freedom to Think?: The race to adopt AI lacks a parallel effort to establish norms that align AI use with the protection of effortful cognitive work central to learning. The article proposes an initiative, beginning in school communities centered around AI demonstrations and discussions that increase awareness.
New Legislation Would Ban AI from New York’s Schools: Opinion piece on keeping AI out of NY elementary and middle schools written by a NY assembly member
AI Chatbots for Mental Health Support: Common Sense Media chatbot analysis concluding that A.I. chatbots are “fundamentally unsafe for teen mental health support”
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