Name it to Tame It: Overcoming Implicit Bias in Hearings

Implicit bias is a human trait that is a result of the brain's need to categorize information in order to make quick decisions. One of the unintended consequences of implicit bias is that it can lead to marginalized groups remaining disadvantaged. In the case of the hearing officer, this unintended consequence can negatively impact fairness within the testimony of parents and districts. In order to be your most effective self as a hearing officer, you must be able to acknowledge where those biases arise. This presentation will address ways that implicit bias can surface in hearing decisions as well as tools to mitigate those biases in an effort to provide decisions that are truly just.