Farmer, R. L., et al. (2025).
Online preprint.
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to reshape school psychology, with report writing as a primary area of impact. A national sample of school psychologists using AI at work (n = 100) reported on its role in documentation. Of those using AI for report writing (n = 45), most applied it to discrete tasks such as rewriting sections for clarity (69%) or generating recommendations (67%). Far fewer used AI for interpretive or diagnostic purposes, and none relied on it to generate entire reports. Nearly all users (94%) edited AI-generated content before use. On average, practitioners who used AI for report writing saved 6.3 hours per week (95% CI: 4.6–8.1), more than double the savings of those using AI for other tasks (≈3 hours). AI shows promise for reducing documentation burden and reclaiming time for direct services, though its use raises ethical concerns requiring further guidance and oversight.
Here are some thoughts:
This preprint is important to practicing psychologists because AI is already being widely adopted in school psychology (roughly half of practitioners report using it at work) and those using it specifically for report writing are saving an estimated six hours per week, meaningful relief in a profession burdened by high caseloads and heavy documentation demands. However, the study also reveals real risks: a subset of practitioners are entering student-identifying information into AI platforms in likely violation of FERPA, and some are using AI to assist with diagnostic and eligibility decisions that currently lack any empirical validation for AI use. The research draws a clear distinction between acceptable applications (drafting, editing, improving clarity) and problematic ones (interpreting test scores, rendering classifications), and while it is encouraging that 94% of users edit AI-generated content before use, the authors argue this oversight needs to be formalized rather than left to individual habit, making this study a timely and practical reference for any psychologist navigating AI in their work.
