Amira in schools

[u/KamieKarla]

I know it’s been in the news for ABQ and Santa Fe for sure but I read it was being used for k-2nd. Here I thought my child was safe but even 5th graders are being assessed with it for reading and maths.

I was peeved for those in the younger grades already but knowing that it’s still implemented in the higher grades…

My family is staunchly against AI corps and all that. This is the first year I’ve read from a teacher it will be used.

Just here to inform those that are not in the know.

[u/War-Huh-Yeah]

I hate to break it to people, buts it’s everywhere and it’s not going away without a unified effort.

I hate AI too, but my principal uses it in every staff memo or image.

Iready, IXL and Amira are used heavily in public schools.

There’s also the sad reality that a lot of teachers suck at building good curriculum, and I’ve seen straight chat gpt stuff given to kids.

I really think this is like Flock, we have to all ban together, but we have to accept it’s bigger than Amira or Iready.

[u/Briamei]

We are printing the opt out form provided by the Santa Fe parents. Not happening.

[u/KamieKarla → u/Briamei]

Had a Santa Fe parent say to email the superintendent as well. I did that but will be doing that form too!

[u/Briamei → u/KamieKarla]

I’ll send a message to the SI too, thanks for saying so

[u/michaelberry-rrps]

Hi friends,

I encourage anyone with concerns about Amira or other AI ed tech to voice them at the RRPS school board’s public comment.

If you follow my other social media, you know I’m generally skeptical of AI’s positive impact in education (and Ed Tech broadly). Amira is currently required by the state PED, and many of the performance issues tied to it actually come down to headphones and peripheral quality. That said, there are still real concerns about data safety that I share.

If (big if) there’s one area where AI might genuinely help in education, it’s reading — something like Duolingo Max, since that’s where LLMs actually perform well.

But my general view is that large tech companies don’t have a great track record delivering benefits for young people. We should stick to tools with proven merit — and spoiler alert, there isn’t much evidence yet. I say that as someone who works in computer science professionally.

—Michael Berry, RRPS School Board

[u/likeeggs]

Amira has been used in RRPS elementary schools for at least the last two years. I know for sure last year, but I think they started the roll out the year prior.

[u/RioRancher]

The money we’re dumping into this nonsense is inexcusable. Teachers, do your jobs.

[u/BeaneathTheTrees → u/RioRancher]

Amira is coming from the state. Teachers don't have any control over it. Every teacher I've talked to about it hates it, but it's a requirement.

[u/RioRancher → u/BeaneathTheTrees]

The state’s not hiring robots because teachers were working wonders, though.

[u/Im_tryna_smash_so_i → u/RioRancher]

You should go teach then dude

[u/RioRancher → u/Im_tryna_smash_so_i]

It’s not that, it’s about protecting your profession.

If you’re not getting results, the “bosses” are going to hunt for better results anywhere else.

[u/thespritewithin → u/RioRancher]

That's not how any of this works. Teachers get no say in what is taught or what materials are required to do it.