AI tool helping this Delaware County school district boost early reading skills

AI tool helping this Delaware County school district boost early reading skills

AI tool helping this Delaware County school district boost early reading skills

https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/ai-early-reading-skills-southeast-delco-school-district/

Publish Date: 2026-02-16 17:29:00

Source Domain: www.cbsnews.com

  • The Southeast Delco School District in Delaware County is implementing an AI-powered literacy tool named Amira to assist struggling readers.
  • Amira acts as a personalized reading tutor for students in first, second, and third grades, providing instant feedback and correcting mistakes as they read aloud from a laptop.
  • The pilot program, introduced in 2024-2025, has shown measurable results with students improving their reading speed from an average of 59 to 91 words per minute.
  • After successful early trials, the school board approved a one-year contract on August 28, 2025, to make Amira a permanent part of their educational tools at a cost not exceeding $13,300.
  • Students’ progress is recorded, allowing both teachers and parents to monitor improvements and increasing student confidence in their reading abilities.
  • Teachers like Julie Adams appreciate how Amira pinpoints students’ specific needs, allowing them to better focus on other students’ needs while small groups receive structured reading support.
  • The overarching goal is to strengthen early literacy skills and provide essential tools for student success.