How AI Helps Educators Of Struggling Readers

When I first started my teaching career, I was given a job in a preschool classroom with over 15 students, each with significant learning needs. Students with autism, Down syndrome, students in wheelchairs, students with behavioral challenges, sight or hearing impairments—you name it, all in one class. I had some support: an aide and three other specialists who came and went throughout the day. But I was the one in charge of lesson planning. I was the one responsible for their learning. Four hours a day, twice, because a whole new group of students came in the afternoon. 

Looking back, I’ve learned so much since those days. If there’s one piece of advice I could share from that time, it would be this: lean on shared leadership—be a team. Even though the job title and responsibility might fall on your shoulders, you’re blessed with a team around you. Some of them have more experience, or they may have more practical knowledge in areas you don’t. They might have better emotional intelligence, stronger behavior management strategies, or closer relationships with the parents. They might even be better at organizing things. Don’t try to do all the lesson planning by yourself.

Gather your team—whoever you work with for those students—sit down together, and let them take the lead on some tasks. Whether it’s planning, researching, or collecting data, empower them to contribute. If you don’t, burnout is inevitable. That’s what happened to the teacher before me, and I’m sorry to say, it happened to me too.

I’m not that same 20-year-old teacher anymore. Although many of the challenges in education still exist—time constraints, lack of funding, and debates over inclusion—you can lighten your load by working together.

Educators working with older struggling readers face their own unique set of challenges. These students need differentiated instruction, and you’re often pressed for time. This is where shared leadership and tools like AI can come into play. AI can help by providing data-driven insights, personalized lesson plans, and tools to manage your classroom more efficiently.

Here are 3 AI tools your team can try:

1. Data-Driven Insights for Personalized Instruction

AI can analyze students' reading progress in real time, offering educators valuable data to tailor instruction more effectively. For instance, platforms like IXL Learning and Smartick track students’ learning performance and generate detailed reports, highlighting areas that need improvement. Research from Luckin et al. (2018) underscores the value of AI in providing teachers with actionable insights into each student's progress. This data-driven approach allows educators to design targeted interventions that can accelerate learning for struggling readers.

2. Differentiated Learning Made Easy

For educators, differentiated instruction is key to supporting struggling older readers, and AI can simplify this process. AI-powered platforms like Edpuzzle and Nearpod allow teachers to create customized reading activities for students at different levels. A 2019 study by Walkington et al. found that AI-assisted differentiation leads to better engagement and academic outcomes for struggling learners. By tailoring reading materials to each student's needs, teachers can ensure that all students are appropriately challenged and supported.

3. Efficient Classroom Management

AI also enhances classroom efficiency by automating routine tasks such as grading, assigning reading materials, and monitoring student progress. By using tools like GoGuardian or Classcraft, educators can reduce their administrative workload, freeing up more time to focus on personalized support and student engagement. The first time I used GoGuardian, I felt very uncomfortable. I didn’t really get what it was about and it seemed like too much responsibility on my part as their teacher.  I literally could see what the student was viewing in real time, during their class with me.  I came to feel very comfortable around it, because while in class, I didn’t have to worry if they were on task because I could see it on my screen.  If they were off task (watching a funny cat video on YouTube) I’d send them a quick message letting them know it was time to get back to work.  Super fast and allowed me to continue working with other students.  When class was over, I no longer had access to their computer usage. These platforms also help monitor student behavior and engagement, allowing educators to address reading challenges as they arise.

As educators, we carry the responsibility of supporting struggling readers, but we don’t have to do it alone. Just as I learned the value of shared leadership early in my teaching career, today’s technology offers a new kind of team: AI. By using AI-powered tools to analyze data, differentiate instruction, and streamline classroom management, we can focus more on what matters most—our students' learning.

AI doesn’t replace the need for strong collaboration among educators, but it enhances it by providing real-time insights and reducing administrative burdens. The key is to work smarter, not harder, leveraging these tools to create a more efficient, responsive, and personalized learning environment. With the right action steps, including the support of AI, we can accelerate growth for struggling readers and help them achieve the success they deserve.