Latest news with #TownsendHarrisHighSchool
India Today
6 days ago
- India Today
New York school to accept in-class handwritten essays to prevent AI-assisted work
A well-known high school in Queens, New York, is taking a firm stance against the use of artificial intelligence in schoolwork by scrapping typed summer essays. Townsend Harris High School has announced that students will now complete their summer reading essays by hand, in class, during the first weeks of September, instead of typing them at home. The change is intended to curb the use of AI tools such as ChatGPT, which the school believes can undermine academic teacher Brian Sweeney told The Classic, the school's student newspaper, that the change is meant to reflect a more genuine demonstration of student work, following concerns over increased use of artificial intelligence in decision has received mixed reactions from students. Some believe it unfairly applies to everyone because of a few instances of misuse, while others worry it could disadvantage those who write more slowly. One student told The Classic that it was unfair to be held responsible for others' misuse of AI. Others viewed the change as a necessary measure, saying it could encourage students to read and engage with their books instead of relying on AI-generated decision mirrors a broader debate in schools over how to maintain originality in student work as AI tools become more accessible. Policies vary widely sometimes even within the same school, leaving students uncertain about the Schonfeld, from Hunter College High School in New York City, noted that avoiding AI 'feels almost competitive, like not using AI puts you at a disadvantage.'While New York City's Department of Education has lifted its blanket ban on ChatGPT, it is still developing clear guidelines and offering training to help teachers integrate AI responsibly. Experts remain divided: Punya Mishra of Arizona State University argues that students should be taught how to use AI effectively rather than being restricted, while tutoring expert Frances Kweller believes Townsend's approach is a necessary measure to protect academic honesty.- EndsTune InMust Watch
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
No more typing: Why this elite US school is making students handwrite essays to fight ChatGPT cheating
Why Townsend Harris High School requires handwritten essays to stop AI misuse. (AI Image) An elite high school in Queens, New York, has introduced a new policy requiring students to handwrite their summer reading essays in class, aiming to reduce the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT for cheating. Townsend Harris High School will no longer allow students to complete this traditional assignment at home using computers, instead mandating that essays be written by hand during the first weeks of September. The change affects the longstanding practice where students typed and submitted their summer reading essays remotely. School officials believe the new approach will better capture genuine student work and discourage shortcuts provided by AI. Policy shift aims to ensure authentic student work English teacher Brian Sweeney told The Classic , the student-run newspaper, that the school noticed excessive AI use in past assignments and decided in-class handwriting would provide a 'more authentic representation of student thinking,' as reported by the New York Post . The summer reading essay requires students to read an assigned book over the break and then analyse it in writing. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Do you have a mouse? Play this for 1 minute and see why everyone is crazy about it. Play Game Undo Critics of the policy argue it unfairly penalises all students due to the misuse of AI by some, and could disadvantage those who write more slowly. One student told The Classic that being 'held accountable for other students' misusing AI' felt unfair, while another incoming pupil said the new rule 'brings a problem to people who struggle with writing at a faster pace,' as quoted by the New York Post. Junior Yasmeen Ismail, co-editor-in-chief of The Classic, described the policy change as a 'reasonable first step' but stressed that schools need longer-term strategies to manage AI effectively. Rising senior Ryan Chen, also co-editor-in-chief, defended the move, stating it 'heavily encourages students to physically read the book cover-to-cover instead of using AI to give them a summary and an analysis in minutes,' as reported by the New York Post. AI use and enforcement challenges in schools The policy comes amid growing tensions nationwide around AI-driven schoolwork. A recent survey found 97% of 2,000 high school and college students in the US have used AI tools like ChatGPT. However, rules on AI use vary widely between schools and even between teachers, causing confusion and pressure among students. At Hunter College High School in New York, for example, some teachers permit AI use while others consider it cheating. Rising junior Scheherazade Schonfeld told the New York Post that the inconsistent enforcement makes it 'really hard to be a student who's trying to follow the rules right now.' Kim Hong, a junior at Holmdel High School in New Jersey, reported that students have been flagged for AI suspicion over minor word choices, which has increased anxiety about where schools draw the line. Broader education policies and teacher training on AI The New York City Department of Education (DOE) lifted a ban on ChatGPT just months after announcing it, but has yet to issue clear rules on student AI use. The DOE is developing an AI framework and has launched an AI Policy Lab to help schools navigate ethical implementation. The United Federation of Teachers recently partnered with organisations including OpenAI and Microsoft to provide $23 million in training for educators on classroom AI use, and will open a National Center for AI in Lower Manhattan. Teaching students how to use AI responsibly Experts suggest that while handwriting essays can deter misuse, blanket bans limit educators' ability to teach critical and wise AI use. Punya Mishra of Arizona State University told the New York Post that schools should focus on integrating AI instruction rather than excluding it. Frances Kweller of Kweller Prep noted that preparing students to be independent thinkers in an AI-driven world is crucial. The policy at Townsend Harris highlights the need for education systems to adapt and equip students with skills to use AI responsibly, ensuring academic integrity while embracing new technologies. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
NDTV
7 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
New York School Targets AI Cheating With In-Class Handwritten Essays
A prestigious high school in Queens, New York, is cracking down on artificial intelligence use in assignments - by banning typed summer essays. Townsend Harris High School will now require students to write their summer reading essays by hand in class during the first weeks of September, instead of typing them at home, according to a report in New York Post. The move is designed to stop students from using AI tools like ChatGPT, which the school says can be used to cheat. 'We've noticed too much use of artificial intelligence in the past and think in-class will allow for a more authentic representation of student thinking,' English teacher Brian Sweeney told The Classic, the school's student newspaper. The change has sparked debate on campus. Some students say it is unfair to penalise everyone for the misuse by a few. 'I think it's unfair that we are being held accountable for other students misusing AI,' one student told The Classic, while others worry it will disadvantage those who struggle to write quickly. But the policy also has supporters. Yasmeen Ismail, a junior and co-editor of The Classic, called it 'a reasonable first step.' Ryan Chen, a senior and fellow co-editor, said it 'heavily encourages students to physically read the book cover-to-cover instead of using AI to give them a summary and an analysis in minutes.' The school's move reflects a growing push in education to preserve original student work in an era of increasingly accessible AI tools. However, many students feel unsure about the rules, which differ by school or even by teacher. Scheherazade Schonfeld, a student at Hunter College High School in NYC, said, "It feels almost competitive, like not using AI puts you at a disadvantage." New York City's Department of Education has lifted its ban on ChatGPT but is still creating clear policies. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to train teachers on how to use AI responsibly in classrooms. Experts have mixed views. Punya Mishra from Arizona State University thinks schools should teach students how to use AI wisely rather than ban it. But tutoring expert Frances Kweller says Townsend's move is an essential step.
