(NN&V Staff) – In a bid to tackle inequitable school funding, Nevada turned to artificial intelligence (A.I.) to determine which students should receive additional resources, according to an article published by the New York Times.
The decision to use an A.I.-powered system drastically reduced the number of students deemed “at risk” – from over 270,000 in 2022 to less than 65,000 today. This move, aimed at more effectively allocating limited funds, has ignited fierce debates across the state.
The new system, implemented with the help of a company called Infinite Campus, takes into account a broad set of criteria, including student attendance, home language, and family involvement in school portals.
Some districts, like Carson City, saw a benefit, with per-student funding increases allowing new resources, such as staff dedicated to supporting struggling students.
Yet, the overall outcry reflects growing unease about the role of A.I. in education, transparency concerns, and who ultimately decides which children deserve extra assistance.
The system’s focus on quantifiable factors like grades and attendance, critics argue, may overlook deeper, less tangible issues like mental health and socio-economic struggles.
This experiment in Nevada has sparked broader discussions about the use of machine learning in school administration — and whether other states may soon follow suit.
As Nevada grapples with balancing fiscal responsibility and equity, the debate will likely continue about how best to support students in need.
Despite the reduction in at-risk students, Nevada’s overall education funding did not decline. Still, many educators feel the system’s narrow focus on graduating students leaves significant challenges unaddressed, particularly post-pandemic.
The question remains whether Nevada’s embrace of predictive analytics will eventually fulfill its goal of better serving the state’s most disadvantaged students.
