Mahwah junior urges board to reconsider policy limiting out‑of‑class writing
Summary
Selena Wong, a junior and League of Women Voters participant, told the board a new high‑school policy requiring all written English assignments to be completed in class would hinder students' development of long‑form writing skills; board members asked her to discuss concerns with teachers and administrators and said staff will follow up.
Selena Wong, a junior at the high school and a member of the League of Women Voters, addressed the board during public comment to oppose a recently adopted policy at the high school that eliminates out‑of‑class written assignments in English courses. "A policy requiring all written assignments to be done in class impedes on the development of crucial skills that can't be developed in a timed environment," Wong said, noting that long‑form essays and college‑style writing require time for reflection and revision.
Wong said that assignments such as the open‑choice essay in AP Language allow students to "reflect and explore on their own life experiences" and that removing take‑home essays eliminates opportunities to practice time management and extended research projects. Her remarks asked the board to consider the tradeoffs between combating unauthorized AI use and preserving opportunities for students to develop stylistic maturity and complex syntax.
Board members thanked Wong for speaking and encouraged her first to raise the concern with her classroom teacher and then with Mr. Pascal and other supervisors; one board member said staff would also investigate and follow up. The transcript does not include the exact policy document name or the board motion to adopt it, and no formal action on the policy occurred at this meeting.
