AI in Teacher Evaluations and Its Impact on Education

Illinois state Senator Christopher Belt recently emphasized the importance of human judgment over AI in teacher evaluations. With Senate Bill 2909, passed on July 10, the state prohibits the use of AI in evaluating teachers. Senator Belt argued that educators deserve evaluations based on genuine observations and professional judgment, ensuring transparency and fairness while protecting privacy.

The vital role of human interaction in education underscores why teacher assessments should be conducted by administrators rather than machines. The new legislation reflects Illinois’s recognition that AI can harm teacher-administrator relationships and compromise privacy.

However, concerns extend beyond teacher evaluations. AI poses a significant risk to students’ educational experiences and their privacy. The RAND American Youth Panel found that 7 in 10 middle and high school students worry about AI’s impact on their critical thinking skills. Schools need to protect students, yet tech companies continue to infiltrate classrooms with surveillance technology and data collection practices. These practices often position AI products as indispensable, resembling a dependency trap.

Financial burdens afflict public schools, exacerbated by tech companies profiting from education. Data centers often receive tax breaks, reducing funds for schools. Public education advocate Anthony Elmo noted that subsidizing big tech strains resources intended for schools, adding to their challenges.

Tech companies claim concern for education, yet their actions suggest otherwise. When school cuts occur, resources are strained even further, adversely impacting students. The situation highlights a cycle of underfunding: reduced educational resources lead to larger class sizes and increased reliance on technology, which can detract from learning.

Despite the emphasis on teacher-student interactions, Illinois lacked classroom teacher involvement in its AI guidelines. A panel comprised mostly of individuals from AI-invested companies formed the guidance, raising questions about conflicts of interest. Yet, classroom teachers were not consulted, a concerning oversight.

Illinois’s efforts to regulate AI in education are an initial step toward addressing these challenges. The state recognizes the hazards AI and tech companies pose, but more action is necessary. Educators play a critical role in shaping education policy and ensuring students receive quality education. Stakeholders need to involve teachers more in decision-making processes.

Liz Shulman, the author of “By the Book: Inside Today’s Tech-Driven Classroom and How Literature Can Save Our Students,” raises concerns over tech companies’ impact. Her work advocates for greater involvement of educators in shaping policies that affect classrooms.