Leveraging ChatGPT in K-12 School Discipline: Potential Applications and Ethical Considerations

This paper investigates the utility of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system, as it examines AI-generated output when prompted with a series of vignettes reflecting typical disciplinary challenges encountered by K-12 students. Specifically, the study focuses on possible racial biases embedded withi...

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Main Author: Joseph C. Kush
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:AI
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-2688/6/7/139
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author Joseph C. Kush
author_facet Joseph C. Kush
author_sort Joseph C. Kush
collection DOAJ
description This paper investigates the utility of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system, as it examines AI-generated output when prompted with a series of vignettes reflecting typical disciplinary challenges encountered by K-12 students. Specifically, the study focuses on possible racial biases embedded within ChatGPT, a prominent language-based AI system. An analysis of AI-generated responses to disciplinary vignettes involving students of diverse racial backgrounds uncovered subtle yet prevalent racial biases present in the output. The findings indicate that while ChatGPT generally offered recommendations that were consistent and appropriate across racial lines, instances of pronounced and prejudicial disparities were observed. This study highlights the critical necessity of acknowledging and rectifying racial biases inherent in AI systems, especially in contexts where such technologies are utilized for school discipline. It provides guidance for educators and practitioners on the cautious use of AI-driven tools in disciplinary contexts, and emphasizes the ongoing imperative to mitigate biases in AI systems to ensure fair and equitable outcomes for all students, irrespective of race or ethnicity.
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spelling doaj-art-d3b8f92eb8e348df8c7e8d67dfb1782f2025-08-20T03:55:48ZengMDPI AGAI2673-26882025-06-016713910.3390/ai6070139Leveraging ChatGPT in K-12 School Discipline: Potential Applications and Ethical ConsiderationsJoseph C. Kush0Department of Instruction and Leadership, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USAThis paper investigates the utility of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system, as it examines AI-generated output when prompted with a series of vignettes reflecting typical disciplinary challenges encountered by K-12 students. Specifically, the study focuses on possible racial biases embedded within ChatGPT, a prominent language-based AI system. An analysis of AI-generated responses to disciplinary vignettes involving students of diverse racial backgrounds uncovered subtle yet prevalent racial biases present in the output. The findings indicate that while ChatGPT generally offered recommendations that were consistent and appropriate across racial lines, instances of pronounced and prejudicial disparities were observed. This study highlights the critical necessity of acknowledging and rectifying racial biases inherent in AI systems, especially in contexts where such technologies are utilized for school discipline. It provides guidance for educators and practitioners on the cautious use of AI-driven tools in disciplinary contexts, and emphasizes the ongoing imperative to mitigate biases in AI systems to ensure fair and equitable outcomes for all students, irrespective of race or ethnicity.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-2688/6/7/139artificial intelligenceChatGPTschool disciplineracial bias
spellingShingle Joseph C. Kush
Leveraging ChatGPT in K-12 School Discipline: Potential Applications and Ethical Considerations
AI
artificial intelligence
ChatGPT
school discipline
racial bias
title Leveraging ChatGPT in K-12 School Discipline: Potential Applications and Ethical Considerations
title_full Leveraging ChatGPT in K-12 School Discipline: Potential Applications and Ethical Considerations
title_fullStr Leveraging ChatGPT in K-12 School Discipline: Potential Applications and Ethical Considerations
title_full_unstemmed Leveraging ChatGPT in K-12 School Discipline: Potential Applications and Ethical Considerations
title_short Leveraging ChatGPT in K-12 School Discipline: Potential Applications and Ethical Considerations
title_sort leveraging chatgpt in k 12 school discipline potential applications and ethical considerations
topic artificial intelligence
ChatGPT
school discipline
racial bias
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-2688/6/7/139
work_keys_str_mv AT josephckush leveragingchatgptink12schooldisciplinepotentialapplicationsandethicalconsiderations