Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

How Do Algorithms Predict Criminal Behavior?

Subject Area

Digital Literacy and Computer Science

Grade(s)

7, 8

Overview

It’s no big secret that the United States has a prison problem. We lock up people at higher rates than any other nation, and there are huge racial disparities in who we lock up. According to a study from The Sentencing Project, in state prisons, African Americans are incarcerated 5 times more than whites. There are lots of reasons why we may see these racial disparities, including law enforcement practices, crime rates, and punitive sentencing policies. Keeping so many people in prison is really expensive-- it costs about $80 billion dollars a year-- and it contributes to racial inequalities in America. As a result, there’s a big push among both Democrats and Republicans to reform our prison system. And one popular strategy many people advocate for as part of this reform effort is risk assessment tools. The tools use data to predict whether a person will commit a future crime. This video explores how these tools work and some of the controversy surrounding their use. This video comes with a student viewing guide.

    Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 7

    DLCS18.7.30

    Apply the problem-solving process to solve real-world problems.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:DLCS18.7.30

    Vocabulary

    • problem-solving process

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • the steps to the problem-solving process.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • select and dissect a problem.
    • seek solutions.
    • select a best alternative.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • often there are multiple solutions to real
    • world problems.
    Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 8

    DLCS18.8.5

    Discuss the efficiency of an algorithm or technology used to solve complex problems.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:DLCS18.8.5

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • that many solutions exist to solve a problem.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • communicate their opinion on the efficiency of problem solving methods.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • while many solutions exist for a problem, some are better suited to meet specific needs, such as efficiency.
    Link to Resource

    CR Resource Type

    Audio/Video

    Resource Provider

    PBS
    Accessibility

    Accessibility

    Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles
    License

    License Type

    Custom
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