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NEW FROM CDT  

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New Survey and Legal Research from CDT Highlights Rising Civil Rights Concerns Around School Tech

Educational data and technology are becoming increasingly entrenched in schools, and are poised to be used in even more ways with the advent of generative AI. But as technology plays a larger role, schools are failing to ensure that it is used in responsible, rights-respecting ways, and instead may be jeopardizing student civil rights.

Today, CDT released two new reports investigating the impacts of key school technologies.

The first report presents new student, parent, and teacher survey research ([link removed]) that finds that harms from student activity monitoring, as well as content blocking and filtering and other popular technologies, are becoming more common. This research provides early indicators that irresponsible technology use is sparking a backlash from students and their families. CDT’s research also reveals that growing use of generative AI in schools is causing confusion and leading to expanded disciplinary action against students, even as schools lag behind in developing policies and supporting teachers. 

The second report analyzes these research findings in the context of existing civil rights laws ([link removed]). The policies and practices of educational institutions and their third-party vendors are governed by a long-standing body of antidiscrimination law, with the aim of ensuring a learning environment in which all students can succeed, including historically marginalized groups. Education leaders should heed early evidence suggesting that irresponsible use of new school technologies may have discriminatory effects, and take action to ensure that their use of technology and data complies with these laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability.

Based on these findings, CDT has led a coalition of civil society voices to submit a etter to the Secretary of Education and the White House ([link removed]) urging education policymakers to take action to stop discriminatory uses of school technology.

So far the letter has been signed by: American Association of School Librarians (AASL), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), American Library Association (ALA), Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Center for Learner Equity, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), Disability Rights in Education Defense Fund (DREDF), Educating All Learners Alliance, Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), Fight for the Future, GLSEN, I Vote for Me, InnovateEDU, LGBT Tech, National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD), and Next Century Cities.

The complete release materials can be found here:

Full research report, summary brief, and comprehensive research slide deck ([link removed])

Full civil rights report ([link removed])

Coalition letter ([link removed])

Press release ([link removed])

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