Since it was introduced in 2023, the English Department’s policy on artificial intelligence has been clear: generative AI must not be used on any step of an assignment without teacher permission. But recently, the policy has gotten a bit more complicated, as now Grammarly, the widely used grammar resource, has been added to the list of forbidden software alongside ChatGPT and Gemini.
The English Department’s decision to ban Grammarly, including the non-generative grammar feature that has been a part of Grammarly’s model since it was founded, is necessary to uphold and reinforce its policy of restricting all AI use. However, the loss of all levels of Grammarly deprives students from using the non-generative grammar resources that have long served as an accessible and helpful tool. To supplement this loss, the English Department should implement regular grammar lessons to help improve student confidence in mechanics and sentence structure, so students don’t feel pressured to rely on programs such as Grammarly.
Students have utilized Grammarly for years to replace the spelling checker in Google Docs. The program’s integrated machine learning model is able to provide spelling, grammar and clarity suggestions without generating new content. The software was never seen as an academic integrity problem until Grammarly incorporated generative AI in 2023. Now, the program can provide full-sentence revisions, tone adjustments, fluency suggestions, paraphrasing and predicted reader reactions.
Students turn to Grammarly because the grammar instruction in all levels of English is inconsistent. Most students only receive about a week of grammar instruction each year, and the instruction is mostly from the learning program IXL, rather than from a teacher. To make grammar instruction more consistent and useful for students, teachers should set aside time each month to provide instruction on topics such as sentence structure, active and passive voice, and relative clauses.
While these lessons might seem boring for both students and teachers — and could possibly delay the existing English curriculum — they are essential to help students improve their writing skills and prepare them for standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT, where students are tested on grammar.
While banning Grammarly protects academic integrity, it also exposes a gap in grammar instruction at U-High that shouldn’t be overlooked. By implementing more consistent and teacher-led grammar instruction, students could gain confidence in their writing and, as a result, become less likely to depend on generative AI or Grammarly to correct errors.
