Learn more about flagged behavior from the student AI companion and mandated reporting responsibilities and resources for teachers.
AI Companion: Student Behavior Flagging
The new AI Companion is with students through much more of the learning process, and with the addition of the chat box, it allows them more interactions to ensure a truly individualized learning experience.
While we hope students will use this feature productively, we also know what it's like to be in middle and high school and realize there is a chance that students will misuse this resource or choose to put inappropriate content in the chat box. To help counteract this, student chat logs are viewable by teachers if you are concerned a student is misusing their learning time.
We also realize that there is a chance of students saying something that may require adult intervention. If a student says something about someone hurting them, a plan to hurt someone else, or intentions to hurt themselves, the teacher of record in the class will receive a notification alerting them to who the student is and what was said.
Mandated Reporting for US Teachers
In the United States, teachers in many states are considered mandated reporters and are required to report suspected abuse and/or intent to self-harm or suicidal ideation from students. The Children's Bureau offers a comprehensive overview of mandated reporting, while the University of Florida has a PDF breakdown of mandated reporters by state. If you are considered a mandated reporter in your state, it is your legal responsibility to follow the protocols of your state, district, and/or school in regards to mandated reporting when you receive a flag about this kind of concerning behavior. If you believe a student is in immediate danger, United States teachers are advised to please dial 911.
It is important to note that the exact protocol for mandated reporting may vary from state to state, district to district, and school to school. It's important that you follow the protocols required in your area if you need to make a mandated report, both to ensure your legal responsibilities are fulfilled and to ensure the welfare of the student in your care.
Your school's administration and guidance/counseling team likely have a wealth of resources to share to help you in navigating mandated reporting as well as supporting your students before, during, and after your report is made. If you are an educator outside of the United States, please consult with your administration on local mandated reporter laws that may be in effect.
If you feel you need more resources, the following may be useful:
- Child Welfare Information Gateway (An official website of the United States government)
- What is Child Welfare? A guide for teachers (Child Welfare Information Gateway)
- State, Territory, and Tribal Resources (Child Welfare Information Gateway)
- Student Mental Health Matters | A Toolkit for Educators (Public Broadcasting Service)
- Crisis Text Line