AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Elementary schools in Lee County have been using an Artificial Intelligence (AI) software called Amira to help improve reading and literacy in kindergarten through third-grade classrooms.

This comes after a study was released showing that Georgia is significantly behind other states when it comes to reading comprehension.

The study found that Georgia ranks 46 out of the 50 states in reading comprehension, engagement, and literacy.

“Literacy is not just about reading. It’s about a community-wide effort in order to be productive citizens within the county. And so, we need all our students not just being on grade level but being able to read in general,” said Katie Peppers, K-5 Leading and Learning Director for Lee County Schools.

“The students will choose from five stories. They will pick one of those stories, and then they will read it out loud to Amira, the avatar. Amira is listening as they read, and when they struggle, Amira intervenes by providing tutoring micro-interventions to the students,” said Joe Siedlecki, Chief Impact Officer at Amira Learning.

For just thirty minutes a week, students practice reading at their own pace alongside their teaching avatar, Amira. Teachers love that they can work with small groups while the rest of the students engage with Amira on their laptops.

“In no way, shape, or form is she built to replace an educator. She is there to give kids guided, productive reading practice, and then report back to the teacher,” continued Siedlecki.

Since bringing Amira into the classroom a few months ago, educators say they have already noticed a huge difference in their students’ reading abilities.

“Kids these day love computers, so being able to get on a computer and the fact that you can talk to Amira and she responds to you, they think that’s really cool,” said Penny Whitman, kindergarten teacher at Kinchafoonee Primary School.

The state of Georgia conducted a study with the Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy on all literacy assessments available. The Center found that Amira was the strongest assessment in the state.

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