The Bad PlaceNPR Topics: News | Overworked and understaffed: Special ed teachers turn to AI for help by Jonaki Mehta
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Mary Acebu, a special‑education teacher at Riverview Middle School in Bay Point, California, has been using artificial‑intelligence tools for the past two years to streamline the tedious paperwork that comes with developing individualized education programs (IEPs). By letting AI draft IEP goals, create worksheets and organize data, she has reclaimed classroom time, allowing her to build stronger relationships with students like eighth‑grader King, who went from a non‑reader to reading confidently. Her experience reflects a broader trend: a recent Center for Democracy and Technology survey found that 57 % of special‑education teachers nationwide now rely on AI for IEP work, up from 39 % the year before, as districts grapple with chronic teacher shortages and high turnover, especially in low‑income schools. While researchers at the University of Virginia and the University of Central Florida show AI can produce IEPs of equal or higher quality when used responsibly, privacy, bias and the need for a “human in the loop” remain key concerns. Acebu, who also serves on her district’s AI task force, emphasizes that AI’s real value lies in giving teachers more direct instructional time, helping prevent burnout while still demanding careful oversight to protect student data and ensure individualized support.
Read more: https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/nx-s1-5810192/special-education-teachers-ai-ieps