Last updated: June 2026.
This guide exists to help students enter The New York Times Learning Network’s writing contests honestly and well. Our position on academic integrity is simple: the work must be the student’s own.
Original work, always
Every Learning Network contest requires entries to be original, created by the student for that contest, and not previously published. We support that standard fully. The point of these contests — and their value on a transcript or application — depends entirely on the work being genuinely yours.
On A.I. and plagiarism
Submitting someone else’s words as your own, or passing off A.I.-generated text as your own thinking, undermines the contest and can lead to disqualification. Follow each contest’s stated policy on the use of A.I. tools, cite any sources you draw on, and make sure the ideas and voice are yours.
What our coaching does — and does not do
Our optional coaching helps students learn to write better: choosing a topic, understanding the rubric, structuring a draft, and giving feedback on the student’s own writing. Coaches ask questions, point out what is working and what is not, and suggest revisions for the student to make.
Our coaches do not write entries for students, rewrite drafts into their own words, or submit on a student’s behalf. A piece that a student cannot honestly call their own is not one we will help submit.
Why it matters
Writing contests reward a real voice and real effort. Students who do the work learn more, write better over time, and can stand behind what they submit. That is the only kind of success worth pursuing — and the only kind we help students reach.
Contact
Questions about our approach? Reach us via the contact page. This site is an independent guide and is not affiliated with The New York Times Company.