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UPDATE: School Districts Can Now Opt Out of AI Testing Statewide!

  • Writer: Sarah Smith
    Sarah Smith
  • 5 minutes ago
  • 3 min read

Dear New Mexicans,

Back in May, we blew the whistle about all NM school districts being required by the Public Education Department (PED) to use Amira Artificial Intelligence testing for grades K-2. 

NOW, the PED has changed course such that local school districts are allowed to opt-out of using the Amira AI for this school year! This is great news and proof that public engagement works! 

 

Scroll below for info about:

  • Teacher concerns about AI testing

  • Which school districts have opted out of using Amira AI testing

  • CALL TO ACTION: How you can encourage your local school district to opt out of Amira AI and call for parental rights to opt-out 


Teacher Concerns About AI Testing

Our NMFA statewide teachers group provides a unique opportunity to understand how Amira AI is impacting classrooms and kids across the state.  

 

Teachers have expressed concerns that the AI testing:

     • is extremely frustrating for kids with speech issues, accents, etc.

     • causes distress in some students because the app has a hard time detecting their speech and therefore makes those students repeat answers over and over

     • inaccurately gives poor grades to some students because of their speech issues, accents, etc.

     • picks up background noise and gets confused by picking up other kids' voices

     • disrupts a full day of instruction because the software requires kids to be physically spread out (so it will be able to isolate the voice of each student)

     • records student voices and has not been consented to by parents 

     • has no opt-out for parents of children who are struggling with the app



Which School Districts Have Opted Out of Using Amira AI Testing

According to the NM PED, thus far the following five districts and one charter school have opted out of using Amira AI testing:

  • Santa Fe

  • Los Alamos

  • Farmington

  • Roswell

  • Clayton

  • Turquoise Trail Charter School in Santa Fe 


It's important to note that the PED has said school districts can opt out of Amira AI for this school year ONLY. More public pressure is needed in order to make lasting change on this.

These two articles have more information about the PED's recent changes with regards to AI testing:

How to Encourage Your Local School District to Opt Out of Amira AI

If you care about this issue your local school principal, superintendent, and school board need to hear from you! The PED is currently allowing school districts to opt out for this school year ONLY!  


Please email or call to express your concerns. Example email text is below.   


You can find contact info for your local school board on your district's website. Here are a few direct links to those sites:



Example Email Text

Feel free to use the text below when contacting your local school district. It's best if you customize the text. 

--------------------

Dear XXXXXX,

I am concerned about the use of Amira AI for testing in our local schools. This software records student voices without parental permission. Teachers have also expressed concerns that the software:

    • is extremely frustrating for kids with speech issues or accents

     • causes distress in some students because the app has a hard time detecting their speech and therefore makes those students repeat answers over and over

     • inaccurately gives poor grades to some students because of their speech issues, accents, etc.

The NM PED is now allowing school districts to opt out of using Amira AI. Will you please opt-out for our district?  Will you please allow parents to opt-out their children?

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Standing with you for children's health and well-being in New Mexico,

Sarah, Karen, and Melanie

New Mexico Freedoms Alliance

 
 
 

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