From The San Francisco Standard · · 2m
AI changes student writing and thinking
Students use AI to write essays, but lose skills for college.
In brief
Students use AI to write essays, but lose skills for college. Students increasingly use AI for writing, risking weaker college readiness and critical thinking skills. Originally reported by The San Francisco Standard.
Macbeth-gate incident
Eliza Russo, Lincoln High English teacher, noticed all 12th graders' papers sounded written by one person or AI.
“Polished turds. It looks good on the surface, but there is nothing of substance or value in what it’s actually saying.”
AI essay use among students
54% of 13- to 17-year-olds used AI chatbots for schoolwork, and 59% said students at their school used chatbots to cheat somewhat or very often.
Declining writing tests
California ended fourth- and seventh-grade writing tests in 2013 and suspended high school exit exams with essays in 2015.
UC writing bar
Fewer UC freshmen meet the writing requirement: 68% in fall 2025 versus 74.9% in 2022.
Berkeley writing gap
Last fall, 1,109 Berkeley freshmen did not meet the writing requirement, more than five times as many as in 2016.
AI and cognitive load
AI tools allow students to avoid thinking by completing writing tasks, reducing long-term learning.
Writing as thinking
Plato’s Phaedrus argues writing makes people forgetful because they trust written words instead of their own memories.
College writing challenges
Students who use AI for homework get better grades but worse exam scores within six months.
Writing for college
Students lose confidence in their writing skills after using AI, often turning to AI responses for help.
Writing skills gap
Many students haven’t read a full book in high school, struggling with writing tasks.
AI and college readiness
Students using AI for writing may not develop critical thinking skills needed for college.
Writing as communication
Writing helps people tell life stories, convince others, and express emotions.
AI writing impact
Students using AI for writing tasks may lose confidence in their ability to write without assistance.
Writing for college applications
Students’ college essays become more monolithic, less individualized, and less reflective of their experiences.
Writing skills decline
Students using AI for writing tasks may struggle with college-level writing and critical thinking.
What to remember
Students increasingly use AI for writing, risking weaker college readiness and critical thinking skills.
