AI use among students in high school has spread. According to an MDPI Educator Study, published in 2024, about 41.3% of students in the U.S. use AI in high school, while more than 60% of teachers nationwide use AI for classroom activities and tasks. Teachers say these AI tools are helpful for lesson planning because it allows them to save time and stay organized. However, some teachers argue that the growing use of AI by students is affecting their learning.
When AI is used correctly, it can be a supportive tool. According to the National Education Association (NEA), the largest teachers union in America, in 2024, they said, “Clear guidelines can help educators and students navigate the acceptable use of AI tools to support teaching and learning while mitigating threats of misconduct.” Paving a future for AI in education.
Some teachers allow and encourage students to use AI for creative tasks. Alex DiStefano, a technology teacher at Morgan, explained that his students often use AI for projects involving Photoshop and Lightroom. In this case, AI is helping students with their work rather than replacing it. AI can be useful for learning, brainstorming, and creativity when students still do their own work and thinking themselves. According to South Carolina University, back in 2024, they stated, “We found that AI can be a useful brainstorming tool, quickly generating ideas that can spark creative exploration.”
Even with its benefits, AI can also become a shortcut for students who don’t feel like doing their work. Multiple teachers report that some students are using AI to complete assignments without fully understanding the curriculum. “I can usually tell when AI writes something, it sounds good, but it doesn’t sound like my students,” DiStefano said. The issue is not AI itself, but how much students rely on it instead of trying it first. This habit has become a growing challenge for a lot of students, but it can cause weaker learning. The National Institute of Health (NIH) stated back in 2025, “Some educators worried that relying on AI too frequently might weaken their cognitive engagement with their work.”
To address the misuse of AI, many schools rely on plagiarism and AI detection tools, mostly Turnitin. According to K-12 Dive, an in-depth journal focused on education, noted that Turnitin is the most widely used detection tool in education and can identify up to 80% of AI-generated content. These tools are helpful to teachers to help enforce academic integrity, but it also contributes to fear and anxiety in students of being accused.
Students admit the temptation to use AI is strong, especially during stressful situations. Ithai Zeyla Contreras mentioned that she sometimes thinks about using AI, “When I’m stressed or behind, and I feel like I need a quick fix,” said Contreras. However, she mentioned that relying on AI does not help her fully understand the material. Other students worry about trust. “If teachers or classmates think you didn’t do your work, then it’s hard to earn that trust back,” said junior Arielys Gonzalez.
Most schools are beginning to establish clearer expectations when it comes to AI use, but some confusion still exists. At Morgan, the superintendent is currently developing an AI policy rulebook to be released next year. While the 2025-26 student handbook includes guidelines on academic integrity, teachers have different rules for AI use.
In many classes, teachers allow students to use AI to coordinate planning for assignments like DiStefano, but students say this can be confusing. Melissa Hagewood typically does not allow her students to use AI for any assignment; however, she changed that policy recently for a Candidate Campaign Website project. Specifically for this assignment, she let students to use AI to create videos and photos as long as it was done on their own time and not in the classroom itself. The assignment requires students to create a fake political candidate and write a speech for them. Students couldn’t use AI to write the speech, however, they were allowed to create the fiction character and have them read the speech using Sora.
Meanwhile, other teachers don’t allow any AI use at all; for example, Julie Frydenborg, an English teacher, doesn’t allow any AI content in her classroom. Students say she is very strict when it comes to doing her work, “She doesn’t let us use any AI for our work, and she’s super strict about every essay and assignment. You really have to put in all the effort yourself if you want to get a good grade,” said junior Savanah Stewart.
Schools know AI is not going away, but they show responsible use. “I’m fine with AI checking your work, I am not fine with AI doing your work,” said art teacher Justin Sylvia. Teachers hope students will learn how to use AI responsibly and as a support tool rather than a replacement for their work.
