Quill.org, a nonprofit that helps students become strong readers, writers, and critical thinkers, has been selected as one of only five AI-powered learning tools for a New York City Public Schools pilot. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Chancellor Kamar Samuels announced the initiative today, with Quill named as one of two nonprofit programs participating in the pilot.
Quill was selected following a 2026 review focused on safety, data privacy, and teacher-guided instruction under New York City Public Schools’ guidance for artificial intelligence. At the September 2nd press conference, Chancellor Samuels called for technologies “that do not do the thinking for the student.”
“We’re putting guardrails in place to protect the human connection, curiosity and creativity that help children grow,” Chancellor Samuels said. “We’re standing firmly in our belief that innovation does not mean more technology, and over the next year, we will lead with evidence to make sure technology serves learning – not the other way around.”
On Quill, students complete writing activities that build foundational literacy skills and subject-area content knowledge. Students always do their own writing. Quill never writes or generates answers for the students. Instead, Quill provides targeted feedback that pushes students to revise and strengthen their own writing.
“We will carefully monitor each of the programs to assess how well each program is impacting students,” Mayor Mamdani said at the press conference.
All of Quill’s learning tools, curricular programs, and activities are free for all students and teachers across the United States. As part of the pilot, Quill will provide its learning tools to high schools across the city.
“New York City is asking the right question: what is AI’s place in schools and does it actually advance real learning?” said Peter Gault, Founder and Executive Director of Quill.org. “Quill is designed to keep students doing the thinking. We do not give students the answer. We ask them to read closely, make a claim, support it with evidence, respond to feedback, and try again. That productive struggle is where deeper understanding and independent thinking take shape.”
Quill’s high school activities help students build knowledge and strengthen their writing across literature, social studies, and interdisciplinary science. Quill’s Literature Program enables students to write about the books that they are reading. Quill’s Social Studies Program enables high school students to write about critical moments in World History.
Quill’s first Interdisciplinary Science Program is a technology-focused program that builds AI Literacy and knowledge. Students engage in real-world case studies about AI and data science, considering the effects of these technologies and constructing evidence-based responses, preparing them to navigate the complexities of the workplace and beyond.
New York City high schools interested in learning more can contact the Quill team at [email protected]. Members of the media can contact [email protected].
Quill.org is a nonprofit that helps students become strong readers, writers, and critical thinkers through immediate, personalized feedback on writing activities. Since launching in 2014, Quill has supported more than 12 million students, 8 million of whom attend Title I schools. Learn more at Quill.org.
