Albuquerque Public Schools says AI programs are boosting literacy as concerns grow
The district is using AI tools to assess early literacy, support tutoring, and help teachers develop lessons while establishing guidelines for classroom use
Albuquerque Public Schools is implementing artificial intelligence tools to support literacy and classroom learning, but the effort has raised concerns among some parents about privacy, screen time and the potential effects on students.
The district is using Amira, a state-required literacy assessment and early dyslexia screener for students in kindergarten through third grade. The program listens as students read, provides educators with diagnostic information and includes a tutoring component.
District officials say early results are encouraging. At the end of the school year, 29.2% of first graders in groups identified in the Yazzie-Martinez decision, along with African American students, scored proficient or above. That was 6.2 percentage points above the district’s annual target.
Among second graders in the same student groups, 33% reached proficiency, 8.7 percentage points above the district’s target.
APS is also preparing to roll out another platform called Magic School.
“It has some AI components. It’s going to help our teachers plan more interpersonal, interdisciplinary units, like when you get into what we’re calling deeper learning experiences, where kids are connecting content to real-world relevance, that’s going to be able to help support us,” Mahlerwein said.
The district also acknowledged concerns about students using AI to complete assignments. Officials say APS is monitoring tools such as ChatGPT and Claude while teachers develop strategies to prevent misuse and establish expectations for responsible use.
Some parents remain concerned about Amira, particularly its use of student voice recordings and the amount of time children spend on the program.
“I want to send my kid into school knowing that she’s going to be learning and not otherwise being harmed,” APS parent Cassie Fleming said. “I don’t feel that confident that she’s not being harmed when we have these requirements that she needs to spend so much time in front of Amira.”
District officials said Amira is currently required by the New Mexico Public Education Department and encouraged families with questions about the statewide requirement to contact the department.