Can AI Replace Your Child's IEP Team?
Arizona's bold experiment sparks fresh thinking about special education
Happy New Year! Here’s to all that 2024 was and all that 2025 will be. Last week’s newsletter was brief. This week, we’re starting the year off with an interesting topic that blends my two big interest—special education and artificial intelligence.
The education landscape is evolving in fascinating ways, and a groundbreaking experiment in Arizona is pushing us to think creatively about what constitutes appropriate instruction and placement for our children.
An Arizona charter school, Unbound Academy, recently received approval to implement AI-led instruction for two hours daily (source). This innovative approach isn't just about technology—it's an opportunity to examine and expand our understanding of core special education principles like Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). While AI instruction may not be suitable for every child, it challenges us to think more broadly about educational possibilities.
Today, we'll explore:
How new instructional methods are reshaping our understanding of LRE
What Arizona's AI experiment teaches us about personalizing education
Ways to creatively approach FAPE in a technology-enhanced world
Let's dive into these exciting developments.
If you're a parent interested in exploring innovative approaches to your child's education while ensuring their rights are protected, here are some valuable resources:
Weekly Resource List:
Key Court Decisions Shaping LRE Requirements - A modern analysis of court cases involving LRE through the lens of new and evolving technology
Effective Communication Strategies- Templates and scripts for working with school teams
IEP Rights Checklist- A guide to help you evaluate whether your child's program meets legal standards
Special Education Evaluation Tracker - A tracking system for your child's special education evaluation process
5 Ways to Reimagine Your Child's Education Plan in the Digital Age
As education evolves, we have new opportunities to personalize learning experiences. Let's explore how to thoughtfully incorporate innovation while protecting educational rights.
1. Expanding Our View of LRE
The traditional view of Least Restrictive Environment focused primarily on physical placement. Today's technology offers new possibilities for inclusion and access. Consider how various instructional methods – traditional, digital, and hybrid – might create the optimal learning environment for your child.
2. Reimagining FAPE
Free Appropriate Public Education isn't one-size-fits-all. New technologies like AI can offer unprecedented levels of personalization. Think about how adaptive learning platforms might complement traditional instruction to better meet your child's unique needs.
3. Blending Methods for Maximum Benefit
The future of special education likely isn't either/or – it's both/and. Consider how different instructional approaches can work together. Could AI-assisted learning support specific IEP goals while traditional teaching addresses others?
4. Enhancing Social-Emotional Growth
Technology can create new opportunities for social interaction and skill development. Explore how various learning environments might help your child develop both academic and social skills in unique ways.
5. Future-Forward Advocacy
Stay curious and open-minded about new educational approaches. Ask questions about how innovative methods might benefit your child's specific learning style and needs.
That's it.
Here's what you learned today:
Educational innovation creates new possibilities for personalized learning
LRE and FAPE can be achieved through various instructional methods
Creative thinking helps maximize educational opportunities for our children
As you consider your child's educational journey, remember that innovation in education isn't about replacing what works – it's about expanding our toolkit to better serve each unique learner. Start by brainstorming with your child's IEP team about how various instructional approaches might enhance their learning experience.
Remember: Innovation in special education isn't about jumping on every new trend – it's about understanding how different approaches might benefit your unique child. When evaluating any new educational method, whether it's AI-assisted learning or traditional instruction, the key questions remain the same:
Does it help your child make meaningful progress?
Does it provide appropriate support in the least restrictive environment?
Does it align with their IEP goals?
Take Action: Download our free Educational Methods Evaluation Toolkit to help you assess how different instructional approaches – traditional, technological, or hybrid – align with your child's needs and IEP goals. This practical guide will help you have informed discussions with your child's team about incorporating innovative methods while protecting their educational rights.
All the best,
Megan
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Looking for a particular resource? Shoot me an email and let me know and you may just see that resource included in next week’s newsletter.
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