Parents sue son's high school history teacher over AI' cheating' punishment

A lawsuit filed by the parents of a Massachusetts high school senior could shape the way schools handle artificial intelligence (AI) use in academics. Jennifer and Dale Harris, the parents of the Hingham High School student, allege that their son was unfairly punished after using AI tools to research and create an outline for a history class assignment.

The dispute began when the student, enrolled in an AP U.S. History class, collaborated with a classmate on a project about basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. According to the complaint, the student employed AI to find sources and organize ideas for the project, but he still wrote the final essay himself. His teacher discovered the use of AI before the assignment was completed and gave him a D, which pulled his semester grade down to a C and negatively impacted his GPA. The student also received detention and was initially barred from joining the National Honor Society.

The Harrises argue that their son was punished for breaking a rule that did not exist then. The family contends that the school's policy on AI use was added to the student handbook only at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, months after the incident. Their lawyer, Peter Farrell, notes that the student used AI as a research tool—similar to a Google search—not to plagiarize or complete the essay on his behalf. Despite the school's new handbook policy prohibiting the "unauthorized use of technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI)," Farrell argues that the school unfairly characterized the student's actions as cheating. "AI is not plagiarism; it is an output from a machine," Farrell said, emphasizing the need for more transparent policies regarding AI in academic settings.

The punishment has far-reaching consequences for the student. His parents worry that the disciplinary actions have damaged his chances of acceptance into top-tier schools like Stanford and MIT. Jennifer Harris said the family has already missed opportunities for rolling admissions. "He got a perfect score on the ACTs, and now he's at a disadvantage because of this incident," she said. "This is a fundamental threat to his future."

The lawsuit, filed in Massachusetts district court, names the history teacher, school district officials, and the local school committee defendants. The complaint accuses them of "threats, intimidation, coercion, bullying, harassment, and intimation of reprisals." Farrell said the family hopes the school will retroactively change the student's grade, update its AI policies, and reconsider the student's initial exclusion from the National Honor Society.

The case highlights the challenges schools face as they adapt to the increasing prevalence of generative AI tools in education. Some educational institutions are beginning to implement policies that allow students to use AI, provided they maintain academic integrity through proper citation and original writing. Farrell suggests that schools need more comprehensive and transparent guidelines. "We need policies that teachers understand and can clearly articulate to students," Jennifer Harris said. "Our son used AI as a tool, not as a shortcut or to cheat."

AI to cheat? Massachusetts parents sue school for punishing teen (newsnationnow.com)

An internal investigation by the school district revealed inconsistencies in how students were disciplined. According to the complaint, other students with disciplinary records—including one involving AI—were allowed into the National Honor Society. Although the school reversed its decision to bar the student from society, the family says his academic record has already been damaged.

The timing of the case is critical as the Nov. 1 deadline for early college applications approaches. Farrell argues that the school's actions could jeopardize the student's future. "He's already late," Farrell said. "We need the school to correct its course before it's too late."

Adam Nguyen, a college admissions advisor with expertise in AI and a background in law, believes the student still has a chance at acceptance to top-tier schools, including Stanford. "Given the situation and context, a lot is working in favor of the student," Nguyen said. He also noted that universities are increasingly accommodating AI, with policies focusing on proper use rather than banning it outright. "Stanford isn't likely to reject an otherwise exceptional candidate solely over AI use, especially if the student explains the situation on his application."

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As the case progresses, the Harris family hopes for personal and institutional changes. They want their son's academic record corrected and policies that reflect the realities of AI use today. "You can't undo what's already been done—he served the detention, he redid the paper," Dale Harris said. "But the school can still do the right thing moving forward."

With schools, workplaces, and institutions increasingly relying on AI, the outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for future disciplinary decisions. Farrell said, "AI is here to stay and will be part of everyone's life very soon."