BEAUMONT — As concerns about artificial intelligence taking over loom large, one Southeast Texas school district is harnessing AI to enhance reading education. Beaumont Independent School District (BISD) has implemented an AI system named Amira to assist reading teachers in providing individualized instruction to students.
“Amira has helped my students with fluency and it’s also helped struggling students read,” said Ingrid Reado, a third-grade reading teacher at Fletcher Elementary. “It goes down to their level so they can work on vowel sounds and differentiated instruction.”
Initially, integrating Amira into BISD classrooms presented logistical challenges. “When Amira first started, it was kind of difficult because each station was talking,” said Patrice Morris, a third-grade reading teacher at Blanchette Elementary. However, the use of headphones has mitigated the noise, allowing Amira to function as an additional tutor.
“Because Amira corrects them if they’re not reading right, she will stop them,” Morris said. Teachers have observed improvements in reading skills and student confidence.
“Another thing with Amira is it gives me in-time feedback on how my students are reading,” Reado said. “I can have conferences with my students to hear progress.”
Despite Amira’s presence in the classroom, teachers remain in control, using AI as a supportive tool to ensure student success.
