Iowa Launches AI Reading Tutor for Elementary Schools

The Iowa Department of Education announced a $3 million investment to provide Iowa elementary schools with an intelligent reading tutor. The personalized tutor will accelerate students’ achievement in foundational reading skills, including phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, vocabulary, and comprehension.

The official State of IOWA website stated that 41 elementary schools that were awarded grants to expand summer reading programs will be some of the first to use the reading tutor.

“Reading unlocks a lifetime of potential, and the Department’s new investment in statewide personalized reading tutoring further advances our shared commitment to strengthening early literacy instruction,” said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow. “This work builds upon our comprehensive advancements in early literacy, spanning world-class state content standards, statewide educator professional learning, evidence-based summer reading programs, and personalized reading plans for students in need of support.”

To further support summer and school reading and intervention programs, the Department chose Amira (EPS Learning) to provide the online tutor, called EPS Reading Assistant, at no cost to Iowa schools.

Notably, EPS Reading Assistant uses voice-recognition technology, delivering in-the-moment tutoring, including corrective feedback and support to build essential reading skills.

The digital avatar named Amira listens, assesses, and intervenes when a student struggles while reading out loud. The personalized reading tutor is being provided to all public and non-public elementary schools through the summer of 2025.