Interactive journey · about 8 minutes
The Helpful Algorithm
A college uses an algorithm to identify students for limited emergency grants. One exclusion raises concerns about evidence and fairness, then a small audit reveals a broader pattern.
No score · no right-answer claim · progress stays in this browser session
Journey step 1: scene
Step 1
A list meant to help
A community college has a limited emergency-grant fund. Staff use an algorithm to rank students who may be at risk of leaving because of sudden financial pressure. The system uses attendance, unpaid balances, and prior support requests.
You are reviewing the list before grants are offered. A student you know has recently taken on unpaid family caregiving and reduced work hours, but the student appears near the bottom because the relevant circumstances are not recorded in the system.