Human Expertise Meets Machine Intelligence: The AI-Augmented School Psychologist

 Massachusetts School Psychologist Association

Human Expertise Meets Machine Intelligence:

The AI-Augmented School Psychologist

Jason Kaplan, Ph.D., NCSP,  Gayle Macklem, MA, NCSP, LEP, and 

Joan Struzziero, PhD, NCSP

Friday, May 1, 2026 from 8 AM to 4 PM @ Publick House in Sturbridge, MA

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are rapidly becoming part of the everyday landscape for school psychologists.  AI is shaping assessment, intervention, counseling, consultation, program development, and record-keeping.  With these advances come profound legal, ethical, and moral responsibilities.  The pace of change can feel overwhelming, yet the opportunity for innovation, equity, and enhanced practice has never been greater.

For school psychologists, incorporating AI into professional practice is essential, yet it is equally important to consider the many ethical and social justice concerns in our profession. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into educational systems, cultivating the knowledge, skills, and professional judgment to use these tools responsibly is essential.

Explore the tension between skill erosion and skill enhancement through engaging “Easy Games-type” activities that demonstrate how AI can support, rather than replace, core elements of our role. This presentation will enable attendees to examine the ethical, cultural, and social justice impacts of AI on our field and the individuals we work with.

Participants will engage in practical activities to build heightened awareness and develop strategies for evaluating and applying AI-generated materials and programs responsibly. Attendees will leave with heightened ethical awareness, actionable tools, and renewed confidence to lead AI-integrated practice that upholds student well-being, protects professional integrity, and advances equity.

Objectives

During this conference, participants will: 

1. Evaluate possible FERPA violations as well as ethical and social justice risks when integrating AI into school psychology practice.
2. Engage in critical reflection and discussion about the dangers, benefits, limitations, and safety concerns when using AI to make critical decisions that affect students, families, and schools.
3. Analyze real-world case scenarios to practice ethical decision-making and responsible vetting and evaluation when using AI-generated materials.
4. Apply guiding questions and strategies to determine when and how AI use is appropriate in professional practice.

Presenter Bios 

Dr. Jason Kaplan is an Associate Professor and Chair of the School Psychology Department at William James College, and he also operates a private practice consulting with public, private, and charter schools. With over 25 years of experience as a school psychologist, he has served as a supervisor and consultant to school districts, supporting school-based mental health professionals, interdisciplinary teams, and administrators. His professional interests include ethics, supervision, systems-level intervention, and the use of positive psychology and strength-based approaches. Dr. Kaplan is deeply committed to promoting effective, ethical, socially just, and empowering practices in the field of school psychology.

Gayle Macklem is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and a Massachusetts Licensed Educational Psychologist. She has worked in the field of education for well over 30 years, serving as a school psychologist/team chairperson, and as an adjunct instructor in school psychology at UMass Boston and at William James College. She is the author of six books, the most current being “Brief SEL interventions at school: Integrating research into practice” (2021).  Gayle is a frequent presenter at conferences. Her current research interests include Artificial Intelligence, Child Maltreatment, Child Obesity, and Adolescent Suicide.  She is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts School Psychology Association, serving as a member of the Ethics, Professional Standards, and Credentialling Committee.

After receiving a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) from the University of Massachusetts Boston, Joan A. Struzziero earned her doctorate in School Psychology from Northeastern University. During her three decades of employment as a school-based practitioner, she has taught at the University of Massachusetts-Boston, Northeastern University, and William James College. Currently, she co-chairs the Ethics and Credentialing Committee of the Massachusetts School Psychologists Association with Dr. Jason Kaplan. 

Accommodations & Other Information

The Location is handicap accessible and arrangements can be made to provide necessary accommodations.

A light breakfast and lunch is served. Please email any needed accommodations or dietary restrictions to mspawest@gmail.com at least one week PRIOR to the workshop.

Please contact Andy Koerner, WM Chapter Chairperson with any questions about registration or accommodations:  mspawest@gmail.com

Payment Information

Payment by credit card: Credit cards can be processed through the registration process on this event page.

Payment by personal check:  Complete the registration form, print invoice, and mail check (with invoice) made out to MSPA at least one week PRIOR to the event:

Payment by district-funded purchase order:  Complete registration, print or save invoice, share invoice with your district, and have district e/mail purchase order at least one week PRIOR to the event. 

MSPA

C/O Samantha Capozzoli, Treasurer

10 Breezy Green Road

Leicester, Massachusetts 01524

Please contact Samantha Capozzoli, Treasurer with any questions about Purchase Orders: 

 mspatreasury@gmail.com

Please note, MSPA charges a $75 cancellation fee for cancellations received less than seven days prior to the conference.

Continuing Education Policy

The Massachusetts School Psychologists Association is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to offer contact hours. The DESE requires the completion of a pre-test, which is to be completed prior to the workshop start time. A post-test is also required and will be given at the end of the workshop. Participants must attend the ENTIRE CONFERENCE/WORKSHOP and satisfy state regulations in order to receive contact hours. Each participant is responsible for knowing and meeting the DESE licensure requirements.

CE HOURS: The Massachusetts School Psychologists Association is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists to sponsor continuing education (CE) for psychologists. In keeping with NASP requirements, these are awarded in contact hours only. CE hours will be awarded at the close of the workshop.  MSPA maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Arriving more than 15 minutes late or failing to stay for the entire program will result in the inability to obtain a PD certificate. Certificates will only be distributed at the conclusion of the program to individuals who have arranged for payment.