AI Literacy or Tool Training? Examining Educator AI Certifications

Generative AI is increasingly part of lesson planning, differentiation, progress monitoring and IEP development, but with limited district professional learning and a flood of vendor-sponsored certifications, how can educators tell which opportunities build lasting AI literacy rather than tool-specific skills? This poster presentation draws on a review of educator AI certification programs and AI for Education's SEE Framework to explore how educators can make informed, ethical and effective decisions about AI. Examine practical approaches for evaluating AI tools, protecting privacy, recognizing potential bias and maintaining professional expertise while leveraging AI's benefits, along with common themes and gaps across certification offerings and a framework for applying AI literacy principles to special educators' responsibilities. You will leave with a practical framework for evaluating AI tools and self-paced professional learning through the lenses of privacy, ethics, human agency, bias and transparency, plus specific questions to ask about data privacy, special education supports and ethical safeguards before adopting a tool or engaging with vendors.