A family in Anne Arundel County is fervently working to clear their daughter’s academic reputation after she was accused of cheating by using artificial intelligence for a school assignment. The case has raised significant questions about the use of AI detection software and potential breaches of privacy laws by the school district.
Tara Davis, the student’s mother, faces a challenging battle. Her daughter, a student at Broadneck High School, was accused of violating the district’s Academic Integrity policy after an English assignment was allegedly completed using AI. Despite the absence of a specific policy on AI use, the accusation of plagiarism has been recorded on her daughter’s permanent record, complicating her college application prospects.
The Davis family has filed five appeals to have the plagiarism charge expunged. The previous four appeals were unsuccessful, and the final decision now rests with Anne Arundel County School Board President, Robert Silkworth.
The controversy escalated after Project Baltimore launched an investigation into the disciplinary actions taken by the school. The investigation revealed that the school used GPTZero, an AI detection software, to analyze the student’s work. GPTZero reported a 90% probability that the paper was AI-generated. However, this process may have infringed upon student privacy rights, as the software’s Terms of Service require users to be the creators or have permission to upload the material.
Davis asserted that neither she nor her daughter consented to the school uploading the assignment to GPTZero. This action potentially contravenes the Federal Education Rights Privacy Act (FERPA), which generally prohibits schools from disclosing students’ educational records to third parties without written consent.
The U.S. Department of Education has been contacted for clarification on whether FERPA was violated in this instance, but a definitive response requires further analysis. Meanwhile, Anne Arundel County Public Schools declined to comment, citing the ongoing appeal.
This situation highlights the growing tension between educational integrity policies and technological advancements. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how AI detection is handled in educational institutions and the safeguards necessary to protect student privacy. Tara Davis, reflecting on the broader implications, calls for schools to reconsider their approach to such technologies, emphasizing the need for clear policies and respect for student rights.
