A cherished high school English class became the setting for a confrontation that rattled a young writer’s confidence. Accusations of plagiarism overshadowed a burgeoning love for writing, leaving a lasting impression on how the author viewed her once-beloved subject.

Educators warn that AI tools have become so widespread, assigning typical homework may be “like asking students to cheat.” With cheating described as “off the charts,” schools are urgently redefining what academic honesty means in the AI era.