Concerns About AI in Education and Its Impact on Students and Teachers

Illinois Takes Action on Teacher Evaluations

Illinois state Sen. Christopher Belt of Swansea stated that teachers should be assessed through actual observations and professional judgment rather than relying on AI software. Senate Bill 2909, passed on July 10, bans AI from being used in teacher evaluations. According to Belt, educators deserve a fair evaluation process that respects their classroom work and privacy. This decision ensures human interaction plays a vital role in education.

AI and Its Harmful Effects on Education

The reliance on AI in education poses a threat to students and teachers. According to the RAND American Youth Panel, 7 out of 10 middle and high school students worry that AI affects their critical thinking skills. These concerns arise as AI companies aggressively secure contracts with school districts, introducing surveillance technology in classrooms. Such tactics aim to make students and educators reliant on their products, ultimately benefiting tech companies rather than public schools.

Financial Strain on Public Schools

Tech companies claim to support education, yet school districts remain financially burdened. While companies profit, school districts face cuts. For instance, Chicago Public Schools is facing a proposed firing of 760 teachers and 800 support staff. Despite financial difficulties, tech companies receive tax breaks, diverting potential funding from public schools. As Anthony Elmo from Good Jobs First mentions, subsidizing tech companies reduces funds available for public schools.

Exposing Misleading Practices

Reports have revealed how tech companies target students during school hours. Jennifer Valentino-DeVries highlighted these tactics in a New York Times article. Court documents show that Meta, TikTok, and other companies deliberately sought student engagement while at school. Such strategies hinder educational objectives, focusing students’ attention on social media rather than their lessons.

The Vicious Cycle of Underfunding and Overreliance

Public schools were already struggling before data centers entered communities, claiming tax breaks. Reduced funding exacerbates problems, leading to larger class sizes and limited resources. The introduction of AI tools in classrooms increases screen dependency, making learning challenging. The continuous cycle of underfunding impacts teachers’ evaluations, potentially affecting their job stability.

Need for Educator Involvement in Policy

Teachers, despite their expertise and classroom experience, are often excluded from policy decisions. The Illinois State Board of Education’s recent AI guidance, formed by a panel lacking current classroom teachers, illustrates this issue. Only one former educator was involved, with a noticeable conflict of interest due to his ties with an AI company. Educators’ insights are crucial to understanding how AI impacts classroom dynamics.

The Call for Change

“The teacher-student interaction is the centerpiece of teaching and learning.”

Despite this belief, real classroom teachers were not consulted, raising questions about the priorities of AI policies.

Ultimately, Big Tech companies prioritize profit over genuine educational improvements. Educators must participate in decision-making processes to address the challenges posed by AI in schools. Illinois took a step by limiting AI in teacher evaluations, yet further action is needed to safeguard students’ educational experiences.

Liz Shulman, author of the upcoming “By the Book: Inside Today’s Tech-Driven Classroom and How Literature Can Save Our Students,” teaches at Evanston Township High School and Northwestern University.

For more information, visit lizroseshulman.com.

Submit a letter, not exceeding 400 words, to the editor here.