The Safeguards Needed for AI in Special Education

Foundation 3: Ensure Safety, Ethics, and Effectiveness

As school districts explore incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into teaching, learning, and special education processes, several foundational safeguards must be in place. Schools districts need to address data privacy, ethical AI development, and evidence of effectiveness to protect student rights.

Protecting Student Data Privacy

AI algorithms require access to detailed data about students in order to identify patterns and provide personalized recommendations. However, the non-educational entities developing these AI models may not have strong considerations around compliance with U.S. student privacy laws like FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act).

FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records and gives parents certain rights regarding their child's data. Schools must have processes in place to prevent improper disclosure or misuse of students' personal and academic information.

As AI is used in special education, data security protocols and privacy protection need to be strengthened. Parents need assurances that their child's sensitive information - for example, personally identifiable information - will be safeguarded as it gets fed into AI systems.

Ensuring Ethical, Unbiased Development

The algorithms and data sets used to train AI models are often biased and disadvantage certain student groups based on characteristics like disability status, race and income levels. This "algorithmic bias" could perpetuate discriminatory practices.  

School leaders must carefully vet AI technologies for potential biases and demand transparency into how the AI was developed to mitigate unfair, unethical implications as these systems get applied in education settings. Parents, too, need to carefully review IEPs, assessments, and new or updated district policies and procedures, with an eye to spotting bias.

Verifying Effectiveness First

Finally, any adoption of AI for educational purposes needs to be backed by strong evidence of its safety and efficacy - not just optimistic claims from tech vendors. Policymakers and families should expect the same evidence standards to be met for AI products as outlined in laws like the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). 

This means AI-enhanced teaching and IEP-creation tools need to undergo research studies that validate their educational value and positive impacts on student learning before being widely implemented. Their effectiveness cannot be assumed.

AI is a growing part of our children’s education. As parents of students with disabilities, it is imperative that we ask questions and understand the implications of AI being used in special education. 

That's why Advocacy Unlocked's online courses, "Introduction to Special Education" and "AI in Special Education" both cover key laws like FERPA that protect students' personal data. The courses empower parents with knowledge about ethical AI fundamentals so they can be informed and ask the right questions of schools to ensure proper policies and accountability measures are in place.

Advocacy Unlocked's mission is giving parents a stronger voice in their child's education by boosting their understanding of complex topics like AI. With trusted guidance, parents can advocate for their child’s individualized education… not an education created by robots.

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This blog post was inspired by The U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Technology’s policy report, Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning. Every parent of a child with disability should read it!