diff --git a/app/components/response-new.hbs b/app/components/response-new.hbs
index 508e5d6c2..d9e839e00 100644
--- a/app/components/response-new.hbs
+++ b/app/components/response-new.hbs
@@ -35,14 +35,66 @@
         />
       </div>
       
-      <button
-        type='button'
-        class='ai-bring-down-btn'
-        disabled={{not this.canBringDown}}
-        {{on 'click' this.bringAiDraftDown}}
-      >
-        Bring it Down
-      </button>
+      {{! Star Rating and Button Row }}
+      <div class='ai-draft-actions-wrap'>
+        <div class='ai-draft-actions {{if this.showUsageCheckboxes "is-hidden"}}'>
+          {{#if this.showRatingControls}}
+            <div class='star-rating-container'>
+              <label class='star-rating-label'>Rate AI Draft <span class='required-asterisk'>*</span></label>
+              <div class='star-rating-stars'>
+                {{#each this.starDefinitions as |star|}}
+                  <i
+                    class='fas fa-star star-icon {{if (this.isStarFilled star.value) "star-filled" "star-empty"}}'
+                    title={{star.tooltip}}
+                    {{on 'click' (fn this.setStarRating star.value)}}
+                    role='button'
+                    tabindex='0'
+                  ></i>
+                {{/each}}
+              </div>
+            </div>
+            
+            <div class='ai-feedback-container'>
+              <label for='ai-written-feedback' class='ai-feedback-label'>Written Feedback <span class='required-asterisk'>*</span></label>
+              <Textarea
+                id='ai-written-feedback'
+                placeholder='Share your thoughts on this AI-generated draft...'
+                rows={{2}}
+                @value={{this.aiWrittenFeedback}}
+                {{on 'input' this.updateAiWrittenFeedback}}
+              />
+            </div>
+            
+            <button
+              type='button'
+              class='ai-bring-down-btn'
+              disabled={{not this.canBringDown}}
+              {{on 'click' this.bringAiDraftDown}}
+            >
+              Bring it Down
+            </button>
+          {{/if}}
+        </div>
+        {{! Usage Checkboxes }}
+        {{#if this.showUsageCheckboxes}}
+          <div class='ai-usage-checkboxes'>
+            <p class='usage-prompt'>How will you use this AI draft? <span class='required-asterisk'>*</span> (Check all that apply)</p>
+            {{#each this.usageOptions as |option|}}
+              <label class='usage-option'>
+                <Input @type='checkbox' @checked={{get this option.key}} />
+                {{option.label}}
+              </label>
+            {{/each}}
+            <button
+              type='button'
+              class='ai-continue-btn primary-button'
+              {{on 'click' this.continueWithAIDraft}}
+            >
+              Continue
+            </button>
+          </div>
+        {{/if}}
+      </div>
     </div>
   {{/if}}
 
@@ -156,6 +208,8 @@
       {{/if}}
     </div>
 
+    {{!-- AI action section removed temporarily; will be restored on a dedicated branch --}}
+
     {{#if this.doShowLoadingMessage}}
       <LoadingElem />
     {{/if}}
@@ -179,4 +233,4 @@
         >Save as Draft</button>
     </div>
   </section>
-</div>
\ No newline at end of file
+</div>
diff --git a/app/components/response-new.js b/app/components/response-new.js
index 2bba7bfb6..6f35d1558 100644
--- a/app/components/response-new.js
+++ b/app/components/response-new.js
@@ -30,12 +30,58 @@ export default class ResponseNewComponent extends Component {
   @tracked quillText = '';
   @tracked isQuillEmpty = false;
   @tracked isQuillTooLong = false;
+
+  // AI Draft and Logging related tracked properties
   @tracked originalText = '';
   @tracked aiGeneratedText = null;
   @tracked hasUsedAIDraft = false;
+  @tracked hasCopiedAiText = false;
   @tracked doShowLoadingMessage = false;
   @tracked quillEditorKey = 0;
   @tracked pendingContent = null;
+  @tracked aiDraftRating = null;
+  @tracked aiWrittenFeedback = '';
+  @tracked showUsageCheckboxes = false;
+  @tracked usageNotForStudents = false;
+  @tracked usageNotForSelf = false;
+  @tracked usageForStudents = false;
+  @tracked usageToThinkAbout = false;
+  @tracked usageFeedbackOnAI = false;
+
+  starDefinitions = [
+    { value: 1, tooltip: 'Not usable - requires complete rewrite' },
+    {
+      value: 2,
+      tooltip: 'Has significant errors or disconnects that prevent use',
+    },
+    { value: 3, tooltip: 'Usable but requires editing before sending' },
+    { value: 4, tooltip: 'Ready to use - could be sent as is' },
+    { value: 5, tooltip: 'Exceptional quality - exceeds expectations' },
+  ];
+
+  usageOptions = [
+    {
+      key: 'usageNotForStudents',
+      label: 'I would/will not use this with students',
+    },
+    {
+      key: 'usageNotForSelf',
+      label:
+        'I will not use this for myself (learning about math, feedback, or my students)',
+    },
+    {
+      key: 'usageForStudents',
+      label: 'I would/will use this with my students',
+    },
+    {
+      key: 'usageToThinkAbout',
+      label: 'I will save this as something to think about',
+    },
+    {
+      key: 'usageFeedbackOnAI',
+      label: 'I will use this to give feedback on the AI performance',
+    },
+  ];
 
   doUseOnlyOwnMarkup = true;
   maxResponseLength = 14680064;
@@ -257,9 +303,13 @@ export default class ResponseNewComponent extends Component {
   }
 
   get aiButtonDisabled() {
-    return (
-      !this.hasSubmission || !this.aiDraft.hasStudentWork(this.actualSubmission)
-    );
+    const hasSubmission = this.hasSubmission;
+    const actualSubmission = this.actualSubmission;
+    const hasWork = actualSubmission
+      ? this.aiDraft.hasStudentWork(actualSubmission)
+      : false;
+
+    return !hasSubmission || !hasWork;
   }
 
   get isValidQuillContent() {
@@ -271,7 +321,35 @@ export default class ResponseNewComponent extends Component {
   }
 
   get canBringDown() {
-    return !this.hasUsedAIDraft;
+    return (
+      !this.hasUsedAIDraft &&
+      this.aiDraftRating !== null &&
+      this.aiWrittenFeedback.trim().length >= 10
+    );
+  }
+
+  get showRatingControls() {
+    return !this.hasUsedAIDraft && !this.showUsageCheckboxes;
+  }
+
+  get hasSelectedUsageOption() {
+    return (
+      this.usageNotForStudents ||
+      this.usageNotForSelf ||
+      this.usageForStudents ||
+      this.usageToThinkAbout ||
+      this.usageFeedbackOnAI
+    );
+  }
+
+  @action
+  isStarFilled(starNumber) {
+    return this.aiDraftRating !== null && this.aiDraftRating >= starNumber;
+  }
+
+  @action
+  updateAiWrittenFeedback(event) {
+    this.aiWrittenFeedback = event.target.value;
   }
 
   quote(string, opts, isImageTag) {
@@ -413,6 +491,7 @@ export default class ResponseNewComponent extends Component {
     this[p] = !this[p];
   }
 
+  @action
   cleanupTrashedItems(response) {
     response.selections?.forEach((selection) => {
       if (selection.isTrashed) {
@@ -627,13 +706,17 @@ export default class ResponseNewComponent extends Component {
       // Clear any pending content from previous "Bring it Down"
       this.pendingContent = null;
 
-      // Convert AI plain text to HTML immediately and store it
-      this.aiGeneratedText = this.convertPlainTextToHtml(draft);
-      this.hasUsedAIDraft = false; // Reset "Bring it Down" button
+    // Convert AI plain text to HTML immediately and store it
+    this.aiGeneratedText = this.convertPlainTextToHtml(draft);
+    this.hasUsedAIDraft = false; // Reset "Bring it Down" button
+    this.aiDraftRating = null; // Reset rating for new draft
+    this.aiWrittenFeedback = ''; // Reset written feedback for new draft
+    this.hasCopiedAiText = false;
+    this.showUsageCheckboxes = false;
 
-      this.alert.showToast(
-        'success',
-        'AI draft generated successfully',
+    this.alert.showToast(
+      'success',
+      'AI draft generated successfully',
         'bottom-end',
         3000,
         false,
@@ -663,13 +746,26 @@ export default class ResponseNewComponent extends Component {
     if (!this.canBringDown || !this.aiGeneratedText) {
       return;
     }
+    // Show usage checkboxes instead of immediately copying
+    this.showUsageCheckboxes = true;
+  }
 
-    // Get current editor content (HTML format)
-    const currentText = this.quillText || '';
-    const separator = currentText.trim() ? '<p><br></p><p><br></p>' : '';
+  @action
+  continueWithAIDraft() {
+    if (!this.hasSelectedUsageOption) {
+      this.alert.showToast(
+        'info',
+        'Please select at least one option before continuing',
+        'bottom-end',
+        3000,
+        false,
+        null
+      );
+      return;
+    }
 
-    // Combine HTML
-    const newText = currentText + separator + this.aiGeneratedText;
+    // Replace editor content with pure AI text
+    const newText = this.aiGeneratedText;
 
     // Set pending content and force Quill re-render
     this.pendingContent = newText;
@@ -684,6 +780,8 @@ export default class ResponseNewComponent extends Component {
 
     // Mark draft as used
     this.hasUsedAIDraft = true;
+    this.showUsageCheckboxes = false;
+    this.hasCopiedAiText = true;
 
     this.alert.showToast(
       'success',
@@ -694,4 +792,9 @@ export default class ResponseNewComponent extends Component {
       null
     );
   }
+
+  @action
+  setStarRating(rating) {
+    this.aiDraftRating = rating;
+  }
 }
diff --git a/app/routes/responses/new/submission.js b/app/routes/responses/new/submission.js
index 53f658923..8093452c1 100644
--- a/app/routes/responses/new/submission.js
+++ b/app/routes/responses/new/submission.js
@@ -97,6 +97,13 @@ export default class ResponsesNewSubmissionRoute extends Route {
       { reload: true }
     );
 
+    // Load answer relationship for VMT submissions (needed for AI draft)
+    try {
+      await submission.answer;
+    } catch (e) {
+      // Answer might not exist for non-VMT submissions, that's okay
+    }
+
     // Early return if draft exists
     const draftResponse = this._findDraftResponse(
       allResponses,
diff --git a/app/styles/_response-mentor-thread.scss b/app/styles/_response-mentor-thread.scss
index bcf7ac418..77bc13b41 100644
--- a/app/styles/_response-mentor-thread.scss
+++ b/app/styles/_response-mentor-thread.scss
@@ -205,22 +205,171 @@
         cursor: default;
       }
     }
+    
+    // Star Rating and Button Row
+    .ai-draft-actions-wrap {
+      position: relative;
+    }
+
+    .ai-draft-actions {
+      display: flex;
+      align-items: center;
+      gap: 1em;
+
+      &.is-hidden {
+        display: none;
+      }
+    }
+    
+    .star-rating-container {
+      display: flex;
+      flex-direction: row;
+      align-items: center;
+      gap: 0.5em;
+      
+      .star-rating-label {
+        font-weight: 500;
+        margin: 0;
+        font-size: 13px;
+        white-space: nowrap;
+        
+        .required-asterisk {
+          color: #d9534f;
+        }
+      }
+      
+      .star-rating-stars {
+        display: flex;
+        gap: 0.3em;
+        
+        .star-icon {
+          font-size: 24px;
+          cursor: pointer;
+          position: relative;
+          
+          &.star-filled {
+            color: #f5af4e;
+          }
+          
+          &.star-empty {
+            color: #ddd;
+          }
+          
+          &:hover {
+            color: #f5af4e;
+            
+            &::after {
+              content: attr(title);
+              position: absolute;
+              bottom: 100%;
+              left: 50%;
+              transform: translateX(-50%);
+              padding: 8px 12px;
+              background-color: #8BC34A;
+              color: white;
+              font-size: 13px;
+              white-space: nowrap;
+              border-radius: 4px;
+              margin-bottom: 5px;
+              z-index: 1000;
+              pointer-events: none;
+            }
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    }
+
+    .ai-feedback-container {
+      flex: 0 1 auto;
+      max-width: 450px;
+      display: flex;
+      flex-direction: row;
+      align-items: center;
+      gap: 0.5em;
+      
+      .ai-feedback-label {
+        font-weight: 500;
+        margin: 0;
+        font-size: 13px;
+        white-space: nowrap;
+        
+        .required-asterisk {
+          color: #d9534f;
+        }
+      }
+      
+      textarea {
+        height: 30px;
+        padding: 4px 8px;
+        font-size: 13px;
+      }
+    }
+    
     .ai-bring-down-btn {
-      // Inherit base button styles from theme
       @extend .primary-button;
       
-      padding: 0.5em 1em;
-      font-size: 0.95em;
-      
       &:disabled {
         background-color: #cccccc;
         cursor: not-allowed;
         opacity: 0.6;
-        
-        &:hover {
-          background-color: #cccccc; // Override hover state when disabled
+      }
+    }
+  
+    // Usage Checkboxes
+    .ai-usage-checkboxes {
+      position: absolute !important;
+      left: 50%;
+      transform: translateX(-50%);
+      top: calc(100% - 4px);
+      width: 360px;
+      max-width: 92vw;
+      max-height: 320px;
+      overflow-y: auto;
+      padding: 1em;
+      background-color: #f9f9f9;
+      border-radius: 6px;
+      border: 2px solid #e0e0e0;
+      box-shadow: 0 6px 14px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.12);
+      z-index: 5;
+
+      .usage-prompt {
+        font-weight: 600;
+        margin-bottom: 1em;
+        color: #333;
+
+        .required-asterisk {
+          color: #d9534f;
         }
       }
+
+      .usage-option {
+        display: flex;
+        align-items: center;
+        gap: 0.5em;
+        margin-bottom: 0.8em;
+        cursor: pointer;
+        font-size: 0.95em;
+
+        input[type='checkbox'] {
+          cursor: pointer;
+        }
+      }
+
+      .ai-continue-btn {
+        margin-top: 1em;
+      }
+    }
+
+    .ai-draft-actions.is-hidden + .ai-usage-checkboxes {
+      top: -10px;
+    }
+
+    @media (max-width: 520px) {
+      .ai-usage-checkboxes {
+        left: 0;
+        transform: none;
+        width: 100%;
+      }
     }
   }