The Tech Edvocate

Top Menu

  • Advertisement
  • Apps
  • Home Page
  • Home Page Five (No Sidebar)
  • Home Page Four
  • Home Page Three
  • Home Page Two
  • Home Tech2
  • Icons [No Sidebar]
  • Left Sidbear Page
  • Lynch Educational Consulting
  • My Account
  • My Speaking Page
  • Newsletter Sign Up Confirmation
  • Newsletter Unsubscription
  • Our Brands
  • Page Example
  • Privacy Policy
  • Protected Content
  • Register
  • Request a Product Review
  • Shop
  • Shortcodes Examples
  • Signup
  • Start Here
    • Governance
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • The Edvocate
  • The Tech Edvocate Product Guide
  • Topics
  • Write For Us
  • Advertise

Main Menu

  • Start Here
    • Our Brands
    • Governance
      • Lynch Educational Consulting
      • Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
      • Careers
    • Write For Us
    • The Tech Edvocate Product Guide
    • Contact Us
    • Books
    • Pedagogue
    • Edupedia
    • The Edvocate Podcast
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
  • Topics
    • Assistive Technology
    • Child Development Tech
    • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech
    • EdTech Futures
    • EdTech News
    • EdTech Policy & Reform
    • EdTech Startups & Businesses
    • Higher Education EdTech
    • Online Learning & eLearning
    • Parent & Family Tech
    • Personalized Learning
    • Product Reviews
  • Advertise
  • Apps
  • Tech Edvocate Awards
  • The Edvocate
  • P-20 Ed Careers

logo

The Tech Edvocate

  • Start Here
    • Our Brands
    • Governance
      • Lynch Educational Consulting
      • Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
        • My Speaking Page
      • Careers
    • Write For Us
    • The Tech Edvocate Product Guide
    • Contact Us
    • Books
    • Pedagogue
    • Edupedia
    • The Edvocate Podcast
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
  • Topics
    • Assistive Technology
    • Child Development Tech
    • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech
    • EdTech Futures
    • EdTech News
    • EdTech Policy & Reform
    • EdTech Startups & Businesses
    • Higher Education EdTech
    • Online Learning & eLearning
    • Parent & Family Tech
    • Personalized Learning
    • Product Reviews
  • Advertise
  • Apps
  • Tech Edvocate Awards
  • The Edvocate
  • P-20 Ed Careers
  • Teaching Learners Digital Content Creation Skills

  • How to Empower Your Faculty in a Mobile Learning Environment

  • Product Review of Construct 3

  • Product Review of Cogent Education

  • Product Review of Clips

  • Product Review of Chairs! Organic Chemistry Game

  • Product Review of Bugs and Numbers

  • Product Review of Bookopolis

  • Product Review of Jump Numbers

  • Product Review of Happy Atoms

Artificial Intelligence
Home›Artificial Intelligence›When Algorithms Determine Student Placement

When Algorithms Determine Student Placement

By Matthew Lynch
December 3, 2019
3657
0
Spread the love

Student placement can determine a child’s likelihood of academic success or failure. That’s why so many parents focus on getting their children into the “right” school. 

Good schools make a considerable difference in academic outcomes. Families from low-income areas often find themselves in an educational trap. Their neighborhood schools are terrible. Their children deserve an equitable education. As a result, frustrated parents look for schools that can help them break the poverty cycle. They want school choice.

School choice is about finding the best available school for children. Sometimes these choices include transferring to another school within the district. Parents may also look outside the district at charter and magnet schools for their children. In fact, more than five million students have discovered that local charter or magnet schools provide excellent academic opportunities. 

Parents seeking a better education for their kids want school choice, but what happens when every learner is eager to attend the same high-quality school? In many districts, students apply for a seat at their chosen campus. They fill out a common application and wait for a decision. 

Who chooses which students will be accepted and which will be left behind? 

Administrators sift through applications to select candidates fairly and without bias. It may be impossible to enroll every student in the first school of his or her choice. it can be equally difficult to identify the best applicants with objectivity.

As a result, some schools and districts have turned to algorithmic decision-making for selecting students. Specially written formulas determine student placement. Equations decide who gets a seat in a top school.

Complete objectivity as a goal 

It’s exciting to think about how algorithms can personalize learning. It’s even more exciting to consider the implications for using algorithms in determining school choice.

Algorithms search applications for matching keywords. Then they select the candidate best suited for the school’s instructional program. Additionally, an algorithm can help to balance numbers between gender, race, ethnicity, and need. Hopefully, obtaining a seat at a premiere school becomes an exercise in objectivity. 

There is, however, a dark side to relying exclusively on algorithms for student placement. Algorithms harbor bias, and that bias may prevent students from being accepted at their first- or second-choice schools.

A caution about relying exclusively on student placement algorithms 

If the schools in your desired attendance area use algorithms for student placement, ask for “algorithm transparency,” a term developed by Loyola University professor Charles Tocci. He recommends asking:

  • How does the algorithm work?. 
  • What factors are considered? 
  • How accurate are the results? 

You need to know the answers to these questions because some algorithms identify at-risk students according to race, native language, and behavior. The algorithm makes a decision based on data, but that data may stereotype your child. 

The school of your choice might deny your child enrollment based on predictive stereotyping. 

While student placement algorithms can help to determine school choice, we cannot rely on them exclusively for our decision-making.  Educators and parents must work together to arrive at viable options that best serve the interest of the children involved. 

Algorithms operate from a series of sequential steps. People, on the other hand, figure out solutions in context. We should consider the algorithms as a suggestion, but take action based on human insight. 

For transparent student placement, we must rely on both algorithms and human insight. Only then will school choice be truly equitable.

Previous Article

Algorithmic Processes that Help You Interpret Data ...

Next Article

4 Benefits of Adaptive Learning in Corporate ...

Matthew Lynch

Related articles More from author

  • Artificial Intelligence

    The Real Reason Your School Avoids Machine Learning

    November 27, 2019
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Artificial Intelligence

    Algorithmic Processes that Help You Interpret Data Like a Pro

    December 2, 2019
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Artificial Intelligence

    How Teachers Use Machine Learning to Add Instructional Value

    November 18, 2019
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Artificial Intelligence

    Machine Learning Is about to Change Everything In Education

    April 12, 2019
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Artificial Intelligence

    Machine Learning Examples in Education: An Inside Look at 3 Success Stories

    April 30, 2019
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Artificial Intelligence

    3 Ways AI Augments the Likelihood of Social Mobility

    March 20, 2019
    By Matthew Lynch

Leave a reply Cancel reply

  • Google ClassroomGoogle Classroom Tips

    How Do I Place My Worksheet in Google Classroom?

  • Math EducationProduct Reviews

    Product Review of Mathcubes: Addition and Subtraction for Kids

  • Best of the Best ListsProduct Reviews

    The Tech Edvocate’s List of the 10 Must-Read Books about Edtech

Search

Login & Registration

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Newsletter

Signup for The Tech Edvocate Newsletter and have the latest in EdTech news and opinion delivered to your email address!

  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • Teaching Learners Digital Content Creation Skills

    By Matthew Lynch
    May 19, 2022
  • How to Empower Your Faculty in a Mobile Learning Environment

    By Matthew Lynch
    May 19, 2022
  • Product Review of Construct 3

    By Matthew Lynch
    May 19, 2022
  • Product Review of Cogent Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    May 19, 2022
  • Product Review of Clips

    By Matthew Lynch
    May 19, 2022
  • 20 Top Virtual Reality Apps that are Changing Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    March 11, 2017
  • 7 Ways Technology Is Impacting Modern Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    March 4, 2017
  • Why Mobile Technology Enhances Instruction

    By Matthew Lynch
    December 14, 2016
  • 7 Roles for Artificial Intelligence in Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    May 5, 2018
  • Digital Literacy is the Most Important Lifelong Learning Tool

    By Matthew Lynch
    December 30, 2017
  • 4 Ways EdTech Companies Can Involve Faculty in Research - WGU Labs | Advancing Innovation in ...
    on
    May 17, 2022

    25 Ways that EdTech Benefits Teachers and Students

    […] EdTech products can ...
  • What is a professional learning network? - What Type Degree
    on
    May 16, 2022

    What is a Personal Learning Network?

    […] What is a ...
  • Digital Branding is Key for Everyone In Education | Edtech Magazine
    on
    May 15, 2022

    Tips To Conduct A Gap Analysis For Your LMS Marketing Strategy

    […] How do you ...
  • 7 Ways to Approach Financial Decluttering in Your Life - Amida Wealth
    on
    May 15, 2022

    The Best External Hard Drives Of 2022: All The Best Options For Backing Up Your Device’s ...

    […] and updating your ...
  • Top 18 g suite for education là gì mới nhất năm 2022 - tophoidap
    on
    May 15, 2022

    What is G Suite for Education?

    […] https://www.thetechedvocate.org/what-is-g-suite-for-education/ […]

EdTech Policy & Reform

  • Adaptive LearningCurriculum & InstructionDigital & Mobile TechnologyDigital Age TeachersEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & ReformInstructional Technology

    Exploring New Ideas: Student-Driven Remote Learning

    Spread the loveRemote learning is taking its toll on our students. They miss the social side of school. Not seeing their classmates or teachers is leading to nervousness, anxiety, and ...
  • Digital & Mobile TechnologyEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & Reform

    Implementing Education Technology by Pursuing Technology Education

    Spread the loveTechnology is used for many great things in our world. It’s a powerful tool when used correctly. As such, this powerful tool can be used to transform learning.  ...
  • EdTech Policy & Reform

    How Much Bias Is Okay in Your School?

    Spread the loveThe algorithm has proven itself to be a handy tool when it comes to solving education problems. It’s also not without bias.  You may be wondering how some ...
  • EdTech Policy & ReformFeaturedFresh

    Edtech Should Complement Good Pedagogy, Not Attempt to Replace It

    Spread the loveThe newest generation of edtech is downright amazing; it’s no wonder that various education stakeholders might be a little excited about its potential to transform education. However, edtech ...
  • EdTech Policy & ReformFeaturedFresh

    How to Teach Kids to Communicate in This Digital Age

    Spread the loveWhen even the youngest children are spending the equivalent of a full work day looking at screens, it is perhaps no surprise that parents are wondering how to ...

EdTech Startups & Businesses

  • Digital LeadershipEdTech Startups & BusinessesProduct Reviews

    Product Review of Collegix

    Spread the love This is a comprehensive ERP solution for colleges and universities that provides modular, totally integrated learners services, finance, HR, and advancement. Collegix provides online and offline workarounds ...
  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech Startups & BusinessesProduct Reviews

    Product Review of Discovery Education

    Spread the love Discovery Education is a big player in EdTech. The company has established itself as the leading provider of digital curriculum resources, digital content, and professional development for ...
  • EdTech Startups & BusinessesProduct Reviews

    Product Review of AptaFund

    Spread the loveAptaFund is a business management software that provides essential functions to educational institutions, such as web access to educators, parents, and learners. It allows elementary schools and other educational ...
  • EdTech Startups & Businesses

    Understanding the Fundamentals of a Sales Script in Your Customer Interaction Journey

    Spread the loveSales scripts are crucial to any business and can be the main difference in achieving the set targets. A well-written sales script that factors in customers from different ...
  • Digital & Mobile TechnologyEdTech Startups & BusinessesTeachers

    Top 5 Things to Consider When Designing an LMS

    Spread the loveCovid-19 has changed many things in our world, and education is one of them. More students lean toward using online schooling. Therefore, learning management systems (LMS) are becoming ...

Digital Equity

  • Digital & Mobile TechnologyDigital EquityDigital Literacy

    Teaching Learners Digital Content Creation Skills

    Spread the loveContent curation is nothing new and has always been a coveted skill. It has been this way for hundreds of years — think of art galleries, museums, or ...
  • Digital & Mobile TechnologyDigital EquityEdTech & Innovation

    Promoting Online Access With Hotspots, Laptops, and Planning

    Spread the loveWhen becoming a leader in the field of education, it is important to consider equity. Some students may not have access to devices or the internet from their ...
  • Digital EquityDigital Leadership

    How Can You Assess the Tech Needs of Your Students Outside of School?

    Spread the loveToday, I received an email from the middle school principal in Los Angeles. She explained to me that the school that she ran was in one of the ...
  • Digital Equity

    It Is Time for the Edtech Industry to Stop Denying Its Equity and Race Problem

    Spread the loveThe EdTech industry is dominated by white employees, white leaders, and white entrepreneurs. If you doubt this statement, just attend an Edtech conference. Admittedly, educators and others don’t ...
  • Digital Equity

    How OER Can Help Overcome the Higher Education Equity Barrier

    Spread the loveThe cornerstone of the American dream is the ability to succeed in life regardless of one’s family of origin. And, for most people, that requires a college education. ...

EdTech Futures

  • Adaptive LearningAssistive TechnologyEdTech FuturesInstructional TechnologyTeachers

    Will AI Replace Teachers?

    Spread the loveThrough the years, robots have taken over many jobs. First, they replaced horses and wagons and horses and plows, then they started to replace people. A few examples ...
  • EdTech FuturesHigher EducationHigher Education EdTechUncategorized

    The Future of Higher Education Must Avoid Returning to the Past

    Spread the loveColleges and universities can make higher education safer, smarter, and more accessible through automation and collaboration technologies – if they commit to it. Author: John Hulen, Director of ...
  • EdTech FuturesOnline Learning & eLearning

    IT Trends To Watch As Higher Education Moves Into a New Decade

    Spread the loveEdtech couldn’t have hoped for a better launch into the new decade than the push the industry received from COVID-19. Even the most tech-resistant institutions and individuals have ...
  • EdTech Futures

    4 Emerging EdTech Trends in 2022

    Spread the loveCovid-19 has not only changed education as we know it, but it has forced education technology (EdTech) to up its game. EdTech has been crucial since the start of this ...
  • Adult EducationEdTech & InnovationEdTech FuturesEducation LeadershipEducational LeadershipHigher EducationHigher Education EdTechThe Future of Education

    Education Technology and the Future of Higher Ed Leadership

    Spread the loveEducation Technology (EdTech) has had a more significant impact on education than anyone expected. Now its effects are reaching into the field of higher education. In this article, ...

About Us

Since technology is not going anywhere and does more good than harm, adapting is the best course of action. That is where The Tech Edvocate comes in. We plan to cover the PreK-12 and Higher Education EdTech sectors and provide our readers with the latest news and opinion on the subject. From time to time, I will invite other voices to weigh in on important issues in EdTech. We hope to provide a well-rounded, multi-faceted look at the past, present, the future of EdTech in the US and internationally.

We started this journey back in June 2016, and we plan to continue it for many more years to come. I hope that you will join us in this discussion of the past, present and future of EdTech and lend your own insight to the issues that are discussed.

Newsletter

Signup for The Tech Edvocate Newsletter and have the latest in EdTech news and opinion delivered to your email address!

Contact Us

The Tech Edvocate
5322 Markel Road, Suite 104
Richmond, VA 23230
(601) 630-5238
[email protected]

Follow us

Copyright © 2022 Matthew Lynch. All rights reserved.