Responsible AI plays an important role in every classroom, and it’s especially meaningful in Special Education (SPED). When technology centers privacy, safety, and equity, it can ease daily routines for teachers and present new ways for students to learn.
MagicSchool’s Gerry Denza met with Charles Gerber, a District 75 Technology Coach at New York City Public Schools, to talk about what responsible, school-safe AI looks like in SPED settings and how districts can introduce it with care.
Start with safety, security, and clarity
Gerber has spent more than 15 years helping integrate STEM and technology across NYC schools. District 75 serves more than 25,000 students with diverse learning needs, and many classrooms include students working at different instructional levels. Teachers adjust materials often, which makes safe and reliable tools essential.
Gerber encourages districts to ask a few basic questions when evaluating AI tools for SPED classroom use:
- “Does the tool protect personally identifiable information?”
Student photos, addresses, and assessment data should never be collected or shared. - “Does the tool follow required laws and guidelines?”
Look for alignment with FERPA, COPPA, and local district policies. - “Has the tool been reviewed by a trusted third party?” Gerber often turns to Common Sense Privacy. In a recent comparison between MagicSchool and ChatGPT, MagicSchool received a 93 percent overall privacy and safety score while ChatGPT received 48 percent.
A single, trusted platform supports safer and smoother AI adoption
Consolidating AI use to one approved platform helps reduce safety risks, streamline workflows, and prevent platform fatigue. It also supports a shared understanding of how AI should be used in classrooms.
“If you meet teachers where they are, you can create a more consistent and supportive culture around using AI,” Gerber explains.
General-purpose models are not designed for education and often lack the guardrails needed in SPED settings. They can provide inaccurate information or surface content that is not developmentally appropriate. Tools built for educators offer a safer and more predictable experience.
“MagicSchool is the tool of choice for educators using AI in their workflow. It was built by and for educators,” he says.
When teachers see the value, adoption becomes easier
Introducing AI with a teacher-first approach helps it feel supportive rather than overwhelming. Educators still make the instructional decisions while AI helps them get to that work more quickly.
Gerber often references the 80–20 idea: AI can draft the first 80 percent and teachers refine the last 20 percent to meet their students’ needs.
Teachers also gain access to:
- Differentiated materials: MagicSchool can adjust Lexile levels across grades, helping teachers provide content that is age-appropriate and accessible. “Being able to do that for every student and for any piece of writing is tremendous,” Gerber says.
- An AI coach designed for educators: MagicSchool’s chatbot for educators, Raina, was created to understand classroom context and guide teachers accordingly. One feature Gerber appreciates is the ability to gently bring conversations back to teaching and learning. “I wish I had MagicSchool when I was in the classroom,” Gerber says. “I want teachers to have this so they can accomplish what they need to in a day and help students access the curriculum.”
- Ways to build confidence over time through conversation and clarity: New tools naturally bring questions. Gerber encourages districts to focus on what the tool does, how it helps teachers, and how it supports inclusive instruction and student dignity. “The fact that this exists right now is a real compliment to teachers,” he says.
Even with strong tools in place, successful implementation depends on clear expectations, open conversation, and a shared understanding of how AI can help in the classroom. Gerber notes that this kind of foundation makes adoption smoother for everyone involved.
Want to learn more?
Listen to the full conversation or sign in to MagicSchool to try some of Charles Gerber’s favorite tools, including Text Leveler, Presentation Generator, and Song Generator.
