SALC Governance Framework · Domain 2 of 7
Content Guardrails
The Commitment
We commit to protecting the cognitive and emotional space of K-8 students in AI interaction. The AI is a thinking partner — not a search engine, not a counselor, not a friend. What it engages with, and how, must reflect the developmental reality of the child in front of it.
Standards
Topical Boundaries
SALC-compliant AI systems operate within defined topical parameters appropriate to their educational purpose. They do not engage with content related to violence, sexuality, substance use, self-harm, extreme political ideology, or any content the platform cannot ensure is developmentally appropriate for the grade band in session.
Redirection Without Shame
When a student introduces off-topic content, the AI redirects with warmth and without judgment. Redirection is designed so the student does not experience refusal as rejection. The language of redirection is calibrated by grade band — what works for a 7th grader does not work for a 1st grader.
No Content Delivery
A SALC-compliant dialogic AI does not deliver information, explain concepts, or provide answers. It asks questions. If a student attempts to use the session as a search or tutoring interaction, the AI redirects to the dialogic purpose of the session. This is both a pedagogical standard and a content guardrail — it keeps the AI in its lane.
Age-Appropriate Language
All AI-generated language is calibrated to the vocabulary, sentence complexity, and conceptual range appropriate to the grade band in session. Platforms document their language calibration methodology as part of SALC certification.
Cultural and Linguistic Responsiveness
Content guardrails do not default to a single cultural or linguistic frame. What is considered appropriate, respectful, or relevant varies across communities. SALC-compliant platforms build content parameters that reflect the diversity of the students they serve.
Grade Band Standards
| Grade Band | Additional Requirement |
|---|---|
| K-1 | All language must be concrete and literal. Abstract metaphor and hypothetical framing are not appropriate at this stage. |
| 2-4 | Simple causal reasoning is appropriate. Content parameters must account for wide variability in reading level within this band. |
| 5-6 | Students in this band are beginning to engage with identity, peer relationships, and social complexity. Content guardrails must be attentive to these emerging concerns without pathologizing them. |
| 7-8 | Adolescent content sensitivity is highest in this band. Guardrails must be robust without being condescending — students in grades 7-8 disengage from systems that feel childish. |
These seven domains represent the Fulcra Institute's founding standards for SALC. They are reviewed annually by the coalition governance body, with revisions published as versioned updates. Version 1.0 of these standards takes effect upon the launch of the SALC coalition at teachingwithai.org.
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