Educators deserve a ‘transparent evaluation process’

Illinois teachers will no longer have their performance assessed by artificial intelligence software, thanks to a new state law championed by Sen. Christopher Belt. Passed on July 10, Senate Bill 2909 prohibits the use of AI in teacher evaluations, with Belt stating, “Our educators deserve a transparent and fair evaluation process that demonstrates their actual work in the classroom and protects their privacy.” He stressed that teachers should be judged based on direct observations and professional judgment, not by machines.

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I believe that our teachers should be judged based on actual observations and professional judgment, not by AI software.

The legislation highlights a growing concern about the role of AI in education, particularly its potential to undermine the human element crucial to teaching and learning. The article argues that while the bill is a positive step for educators, it does not go far enough to protect students. It contends that AI poses a significant danger to students' ability to think critically and to their privacy, citing a RAND American Youth Panel report where 7 out of 10 middle and high school students expressed worries about AI's impact on their critical thinking skills.

Furthermore, the piece criticizes Big Tech companies for aggressively marketing AI tools and surveillance technology to school districts. It suggests these companies use free services as a tactic to foster dependency, while school districts face financial strain and potential budget cuts. The article points to Chicago Public Schools' proposed layoffs of hundreds of teachers and support staff as an example of these financial pressures. It also notes that tax breaks for data centers reduce revenue that could otherwise support public schools, quoting an advocate who stated, “Every dollar we subsidize a big tech company is a dollar we can’t put into public schools.”

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Our educators deserve a transparent and fair evaluation process that demonstrates their actual work in the classroom and protects their privacy.

The author concludes that Big Tech's actions, including the strategic deployment of AI in classrooms, ultimately harm students by contributing to schools' financial burdens and undermining the educational process. The article calls for a broader recognition of AI's dangers in schools, extending beyond teacher evaluations to encompass student privacy and the integrity of the learning environment.

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Every dollar we subsidize a big tech company is a dollar we can’t put into public schools.