Black Representation in Tech Matters to Special Education

By Aziah Siid | Word In BlackPexels photo by meo(WIB) – It’s an undisputed fact: the number of K-12 special education students is slowly but steadily rising, having increased significantly over the last decade. Studies also show that, of the nation’s roughly 7.5 million special education students, nearly 2 in 10 are Black. Given the nationwide shortage of special education teachers, it makes sense that some districts would outsource some of their duties to a robot— namely, artificial intelligence. Powerful computer programs can help write lesson plans and customize them for individual students’ needs, among other things.& RELATED:& It’s Not Too Late to Keep Racist A.I. Out of Black K-12 Schools& With AI technology changing every day, education professionals are working diligently to dissect its role in K-12. Part of that research examines how AI shows up in special education and its impact on students with disabilities, especially Black students with disabilities.Although it may seem like a godsend to stressed-out SpEd teachers and students with different learning abilities, experts say it’s unclear whether AI is a help or hindrance for Black special-education students. One big issue: the lack of people of color in AI development, a problem that often means...