As states see a spike in special education complaints, there are signs that AI use is fueling the surge even though the technology often gives families erroneous guidance and can compromise their efforts.
Parent centers and state dispute resolution agencies are reporting an uptick in state complaints that were likely generated using AI, according to Melanie Reese, director of The Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education, or CADRE, a federally funded center that works to help prevent and resolve disputes between school districts and families.
“Over the past year, as the number of state complaints have increased, the state agencies have regularly talked about the impact they believe AI has had on their caseload, as well as the quality and complexity of filings,” she said. “They’ve reported that it is not unusual to have complaints with hundreds of pages attached, inaccurate application of (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), and even due process filings with AI hallucinated case law cited.”
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Though there isn’t data on the issue, the trend has correlated with the onset of widespread availability of AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Reese said.
In addition, CADRE noted reports about AI providing inaccurate information about how and where to file complaints and what types of issues can be resolved via dispute resolution options under IDEA.
The concerns led CADRE to develop technical assistance for families on how to properly use AI in special education disputes. The documents emphasize that while AI can be useful as a tool to help prepare for meetings or understand terminology, it does make mistakes, carries privacy risks and chatbots can encourage steps that escalate conflict.
Families should never input student names or unredacted documents about their child or allow AI systems to make decisions for them, the guide indicates. Relying on AI to file state complaints or due process hearing requests can be especially sticky.
“AI can help you understand the general process, but it often creates filings that are unclear, inaccurate, or missing required information. These errors can lead to delays, dismissals or ‘no findings,’” per the guide.
Reese emphasized that any use of AI requires users to review and verify the information generated.
“AI cannot determine if the information it provides is appropriate for a particular situation or child — only a human can make that call,” she said.
