At a school‑board meeting last week, Providence parents raised several objections to the district’s use of AMIRA, an artificial‑intelligence reading program deployed for kindergarten through fifth‑grade students. The software listens as children read aloud, analyzes their performance and provides immediate feedback.
Calls for transparency and parental control
Parents said they first learned about AMIRA secondhand and were told they could not opt their children out of the program. They emphasized the need for advance notice and clear information about how the system works, as well as a straightforward way to withdraw their children if they choose.
Data‑privacy concerns
Several parents asked what happened to the voice recordings made before the district adjusted its settings in August. They want to know what data remains in the system and how they can request its deletion. District officials responded that the system does not retain new voice recordings, but they did not provide details about any recordings that may have been stored prior to the change.
Impact on students with speech differences
Another point of contention involved students with speech impediments or other disabilities. One parent recounted that a child with a lisp had to repeat words because the program failed to recognize his speech, raising questions about the tool’s accessibility for all learners.
District’s position
School‑district leaders clarified that AMIRA is intended for limited use—approximately 30 minutes per week per student. They reiterated that the program does not retain new voice recordings, positioning the tool as a supplemental aid rather than a permanent data‑collection device.
Next steps
The board has promised to provide additional information to families, including a written overview of the program’s functionality, data‑handling practices and the process for opting out. Parents hope that clearer communication and stronger privacy safeguards will address their concerns while preserving the educational benefits the AI tool can offer.
Community members are encouraged to attend future board meetings to stay informed about the district’s technology initiatives and to voice any further questions they may have.
Original reporting: NBC 10 WJAR (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
