The Great Debate: Should We Use AI to Assess Student Writing?

Over the past two years, the question of whether teachers should use AI to assess student writing has sparked heated debate in schools, conferences, staff rooms—and across social media platforms like the AI for Teachers Facebook group. This session kicks off by putting the top ten AI platforms—those that claim to help teachers assess writing—side by side. We’ll break down the pros and cons of each, highlight Peter and Ed’s favorite tools, and share real classroom examples of how AI has been used—or misused—in writing assessment. We’ll also dive into real-world student feedback and classroom data to understand how AI-powered assessments impact learning, engagement, and writing growth. Along the way, we’ll tackle the tough questions: How accurate are these platforms, really? Can AI fully understand and evaluate student work? What do students actually think of AI feedback? And should teachers rely on AI—or is it their professional duty to assess writing themselves? We’ll also explore the critical issue of academic integrity By the end of the session, you’ll walk away with a five-question framework to guide your decision-making when considering any AI tool for assessing student writing—helping