AI in Special Education: Spotlight on your new colleague

Shannon Sankstone

Remember the early days of the COVID-19 shutdown? I do. I was a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Science) elective teacher, teaching pre-kindergarten to eighth grade science.  

When the shutdown came, teaching became impossible. I admit, I struggled. Mightily. And so, I did what all teachers did: I started learning. Mostly, I learned to create a fabulous bitmoji me, and also how to poach an egg.  

Dr. Min Sun, of the University of Washington, on the other hand, saw the intense struggles of educators and started developing a solution. Readers, say hello to Colleague AI. 

Created by educators 

Colleague AI, funded by the Institute of Education Science and the National Science Foundation, is a free artificial intelligence (AI) platform designed and built by and for teachers, parents and schools. The platform can generate standards-based lessons, recommend research-based instructional strategies, and (drumroll please) suggest ways in which lessons can be differentiated and modified to reach and teach diverse learners. Did I mention it’s free? 

Yes, there are other platforms, and everyone has a favorite. What makes Colleague AI unique is its focus: The platform is laser-focused on education and has been trained on evidence-based pedagogy, learning theory and human development. If you are using AI for education-related information, Colleague.Ai will be your new best friend. 

Improving access and inclusion 

Colleague AI can do a massive amount of work. As a parent, I took a tour of the brainstorm feature. I found tools and resources related to executive functioning, infographics and checklists. Teachers and parents can personalize learning to match their child’s strengths and challenges.  

“Colleague AI has been trained in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and differentiation,” Dr. Sun told me. “With the nudge feature, teachers and parents can personalize lessons that meet individual student needs.” 

Thinking as a teacher, I generated a lesson on the water cycle for sixth grade, and then used the nudge feature to modify the lesson. I was able to scaffold supports, question prompts and writing exercises for a range of abilities and interests.

I was also able to generate an assessment, and then create four tiers of that assessment using real-world accommodations from my time as a teacher. Back in the pre-AI days, this used to take hours. 

Always thinking as an advocate, I copy pasted hypothetical results for a common social-emotional assessment given in special education evaluations. Colleague AI accurately analyzed the data and provided a straightforward explanation of the results. It also highlighted areas that were of concern. Upon request, the platform also listed the strengths from the assessment.  

 Like IEP (Individualized Education Program) Teams, however, goals generated by Colleague AI tended toward compliance-based goals, rather than skills-based. However, a regeneration request with specific expectations fixed that — unlike the push-back at an IEP Team meeting. Bonus: There were areas for goals I hadn’t considered. 

How it can work for your child 

There are specific features Dr. Sun recommends. First, lessons can be modified into a podcast. For students with reading challenges, this is a game changer. Second, the “nudge” feature helps teachers and parents improve a lesson by entering information, such as reading levels or accommodations and modifications, into the chat, and then the platform personalizes the lesson. Another great tool is the rubric generator. If you are frustrated with progress monitoring, you can use this tool to create custom rubrics for your child’s IEP goals.  

Advocacy strategies 

Dr. Sun provided some advice for using AI to support students with disabilities. AI and special education are great allies, yet we need to be intentional with our use of AI. 

• Dr. Sun stressed ethical AI use, stating, “Parents need to be aware of the pitfalls,” such as training AI on their child’s personal information. Never upload or copy and paste personally identifiable information. 

• Colleague AI is able to perform tiered analysis. For example, collect daily sheets, redact personally identifiable information, and upload the PDF. Ask Claire or Charlie (the name of Colleague AI’s assistants) if progress is being made. Compare that to the IEP goal. Is adequate progress being made? Then compare that to grade level standards. Is your child at, below or above grade level? Charlie and Claire can tell you. 

• Concerned about progress monitoring? Most of my families are, and Colleague AI can help with that, too. In the generate lesson tab, there is the option to create a rubric. Copy and paste a goal from your child’s IEP (with no identifying information) and add the standard. This part is important: If the goal is not aligned to a grade-level standard, 1) It needs to be rewritten and, 2) The rubric will not provide a way to monitor progress. This, friends, is why goals should always be aligned to standards — so that progress can be monitored. 

The online oracle says

This week, I encourage you to experiment for free and report back in the comments! 

Next week 

Can the virtual Visigoth craft IEP goals? We shall see. 

This column is written by Shannon Sankstone, she is an Olympia-based special education advocate and the owner of Advocacy Unlocked. She may be reached at ShannonSankstone@theJOLTnews.com.