This spring, millions of students around the country are taking standardized exams whose results could have important consequences for students, teachers and schools. The scores may be used to decide whether students can move to the next grade, graduate from high school or be placed in a particular class next year. Some teachers’ evaluations are based on their scores.

In one district in Ohio, there is something new this year: essays on the American Institutes for Research assessments are being graded by computer. The practice has been adopted by districts around the country for years, yet there remain big questions about just how well computers can do the job — and how it affects the way teachers approach writing instruction.

Companies have developed software that allows computers to grade essays but skeptics wonder how artificial intelligence can accurately assess creativity or beautiful language.

Source: Teacher: Why it’s so troubling that we allow computers to grade test essays – The Washington Post