How can state education agencies balance the convergence of assistive technology (AT), augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and artificial intelligence (AI) while maintaining valid assessments? On June 25, 2025, nearly 40 participants from state agencies, assessment vendors, and educational organizations gathered for the annual NCEO Forum held after the National Conference on Student Assessment (NCSA). The report, At a Crossroads: The Intersection of AT, AAC, and AI in the Education of Learners with Varied Needs, captures the proceedings. The topic grew from ongoing discussions among state leaders who struggle to effectively integrate these technologies into assessment.

The forum helped stakeholders understand the impact of this technology shift on educational access. Presenters included Sheila Bolling (Alabama Department of Education) on AT and AAC support in Alabama, Ivonne Aguirre-Hernandez (Tucson Unified School District) and Rui Hernandez (Sunnyside Unified School District) on multilingual AAC use for students with disabilities who are English learners, and Mia Laudato (CAST) on pathways for AI.

The speakers addressed how to harness these tools while preserving assessment validity and instructional quality. Breakout groups discussed implementation strategies and integration in classrooms and high-stakes testing. Ultimately, the forum concluded that effective integration requires coordinated changes across teacher preparation, policy, and technology systems. Rather than one-time fixes, the focus must remain on collaborative practices that build accessibility into assessment platforms from the start.