AI in Special Education: uses and perspectives 

Shannon Sankstone

Imagine several large rooms, filled with educators and district leaders, all enthusiastically learning, debating, and questioning how they can use technology to better serve children with Individualized Educations programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans. 

Imagine speakers addressing standing-room only crowds, detailing ways in which artificial intelligence (AI) can be used carefully, ethically and securely, and as a tool only, to reach and teach diverse learners. 

A playground 

Dear readers, that was my experience at the Artificial Intelligence Innovation Summit held by the Association of Educational Service Districts. Stefan Troutman, an educational technologist, described the event as “a playground where educators and administrators are excited to use innovative technology to do what is right for kids.” Participants drove through snowstorms to learn how new technologies can improve student learning. 

A time-saver 

The most heartening aspect of the AI Summit, for me as a parent and advocate, was how intensely the participants focused on special education and meeting the needs of diverse learners. Sessions that focused on inclusion and modifying curriculum were standing-room only, reflecting the perspective of Dr. Min Sun of the University of Washington. 

“AI and special education can be best friends,” she said, “because Ai can assist teachers in leveling and modifying curriculum,” Dr. Sun said. 

As a productivity tool, Dr. Sun and Troutman both presented opportunities to use the digital demigod to suggest instructional strategies, assessments, grading rubrics, progress monitoring tools, and more. AI creates these at lightning speed, and the teacher is able to customize for their students. 

A connector 

AI can reach beyond the classroom into the IEP meeting.  

“IEP meetings are intimidating and overwhelming,” Troutman stated. “It can help parents understand their rights and what their options are.”  

He further explained, “AI is the ultimate equalizer. The whole premise behind educational technology is connection building.” 

A game changer 

Danae Place is the Special Education and Early Learning Facilitator in the Shelton School District.  

“AI has been a game changer,” Place told me. “As an assistive technology, AI is one tool that helps a child access the curriculum.”  

Yet, teachers are cautious. “Teachers need to play around and customize prompts on different platforms,” to find the right fit for individual students. 

According to Place, the most common AI use among educators is to “develop lesson plans and rubrics.” Place encourages her teachers to expand their usage to improve IEP goals and modify assignments.  

“For children who learn through repetition and multimodal learning,” Place said, “AI can generate several approaches to the same topic or lesson. It’s a phenomenal tool.”  

A worry 

As teachers, schools and districts are implementing AI and developing policies around AI use, ethics, privacy and security concerns will always take precedence.  

“A teacher’s first job is to keep children safe,” Troutman told me. “They are being cautious, and rightfully so. AI is still in its infancy, and it is through continuous learning at events, such as the AI Summit, that leaders can gain “a balanced understanding of Ai,” according to Dr. Sun. With reflection and learning, we can all avoid the “extreme fear and hype” that comes with technological innovations. 

Advocacy strategies 

Place, Troutman and Dr. Sun both shared strategies for advocating for AI use and policy. Here are three suggestions: 

1. Seek to understand. Ask teachers and administrators how they are using Ai in the school, classroom and district. 

1. Seek to assist: Play around with prompts. Place developed prompts that provide modified curriculum and instructional strategies for a specific child. Find prompts that work for your child and give those prompts to the teacher. 

1. Seek to advise: Share your thoughts with the educational technology team in your district, as well as the board and at principal coffee talks.  

Next week ...

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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.