CEC2025: AI Takes Center Stage
CEC’s 2025 Convention and Expo offers countless professional development and learning opportunities, hitting on the most pressing and important topics in the field. CEC 2025 will feature two topics area strands identified by our 2025 Program Chairs and our 2025 President: Improving Outcomes for Students Across General Education Settings and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Special Education. These strands are intended to help you identify sessions relevant to some of the most important topics in special education.
The program chairs’ theme revolves around AI and Education. This strand showcases sessions that address innovative uses of AI in Special Education. Attendees will learn how to navigate AI and use it effectively within their roles. Additionally, attendees will learn AI's practical uses and benefits, such as developing instructional materials, writing IEPs, and making meaningful adaptations.
Sessions
Want to learn more about AI? Check out these sessions and more using the session browser:
| WEDNESDAY | 1:00-2:00 PM | AI-Human Collaboration for Constructing IEP Goals and Specially Designed Instruction: Developing A Multi-Agent System |
| THURSDAY | 9:15-10:15 AM | AI for Accessibility and Advancement: Adjusting Learning for Students at the Edges |
| THURSDAY | 10:30-11:30 AM | Collaborative Intelligence: AI as Co-Teacher/Tutor in the K12 Classroom |
| THURSDAY | 1:00-2:00 PM | Leveraging AI to Support & Enhance IEP Development |
| FRIDAY | 9:15-10:15 AM | Using AI to Generate Decodable Texts for Instruction and Intervention |
| FRIDAY | 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM | AI Guidance in K-12: What Do States and Districts Say About Using AI? |
Keynote Panel
CEC’s engaging keynote panel discussion will demystify the world of AI and showcase its practical applications in special education. Learn about the history of AI and discover how AI-powered tools are enhancing teaching, learning, and assessment for students with disabilities. Learn about the latest research on AI in special education and hear real-world examples of how AI is transforming classrooms and improving student outcomes. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation about the future of AI in special education and how we can harness its power to create more inclusive and effective learning environments.
Our panelists include James “Jamie” D. Basham, Ph.D., Dr. Lisa Dieker, and Eleazar “Trey” Vasquez III, Ph.D.
James “Jamie” D. Basham, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas. His work is focused on developing future-ready learning environments that are equitable, beneficial, and meaningful for all learners. His research focused on the implementation of UDL, AI, STEM education, learner-centered design, innovation, and technology in human learning. Most recently, he served on the technical work group for the current U.S. National Educational Technology Plan (NETP).
Dr. Lisa Dieker is the Williamson Family Distinguished Professor of Special Education in the School of Education and Human Sciences at the University of Kansas (KU). She serves as the Director of a Center in the Assessment and Achievement Institute called FLITE (flexible learning through innovations in teaching and education). Dr. Dieker’s research focuses on harnessing the power of teachers working across disciplines in inclusive settings, with her work focusing on teacher education, special education, and innovative uses of technology.
Eleazar “Trey” Vasquez III, Ph.D., is Director of the Toni Jennings Exceptional Education Institute and Professor for the Exceptional Education Program in the College of Community Innovation and Education at the University of Central Florida. Dr. Vasquez’s research focuses on the evaluation of technology on academic and behavioral outcomes for traditionally marginalized populations with executive functioning deficits.
This keynote panel will take place on Thursday, March 13, at 4:00 PM.
Are you excited to learn about all of the exciting innovations in the field of special education at our 2025 Convention & Expo? Register today and get ready for a great experience!
Thank you to our sponsor of the AI & Education Strand, Let’s Go Learn.
