Amira Learning Secures $11M to Advance AI Literacy Tutor

The Impact of Pandemic-Related School Closures on Reading Skills

The widespread school closures necessitated by the pandemic have significantly disrupted the educational journeys of countless children. A particular area of concern is the development of reading skills, as many students have lacked the benefit of individualized guidance from their teachers.

Amira Learning has developed an application designed to mitigate these challenges. The app functions by listening to students as they read, providing intelligent, real-time error correction.

Replicating the Guided Reading Experience

Traditionally, classrooms utilize a technique called “guided reading.” This involves students reading aloud while the teacher attentively monitors their progress, offering corrections as needed.

This method serves a dual purpose: it facilitates learning and allows teachers to assess reading levels, enabling them to create tailored learning groups.

Challenges Posed by Remote Learning

“Guided reading is needs-based, differentiated instruction, and we were unable to implement it effectively during COVID-19,” explains Andrea Burkiett, Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction at the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System.

While virtual breakout sessions were technically feasible, practical obstacles arose, particularly for younger students unfamiliar with computer interfaces. This effectively eliminated the possibility of small group instruction.

How Amira Learning Works

Amira Learning aims to recreate the guided reading process through speech analysis. As a child reads a story, the app identifies errors such as mispronunciations and skipped words.

This technology is grounded in two decades of research investigating the efficacy of automated reading systems. Studies have demonstrated that learners utilizing these systems do experience measurable gains, although initial testing was primarily conducted in laboratory environments.

Addressing Initial Skepticism

Initial inquiries were approached with a degree of skepticism, given the proliferation of unproven “AI” educational products. The potential for negative impact on a child’s education necessitates careful evaluation.

Conversations with Andrea Burkiett and Amira Learning CEO Mark Angel alleviated these concerns. The app appears to be a legitimate tool, backed by research, and capable of providing genuine value to educators.

However, gaining the trust and adoption of educators was a crucial first step.

Funding and Future Growth

The company has successfully secured $11 million in funding to facilitate expansion. This investment will support the development of a new application and cater to a growing customer base as the educational landscape continues to evolve.

A Powerful Supplement, Not a Substitute

According to Burkiett, the initial step in integrating any technological tool involves a clear understanding of the underlying rationale. Numerous tech solutions exist that may be engaging for students, yet fail to contribute to genuine academic advancement if their implementation isn't aligned with specific educational needs.

Amira was specifically chosen to address the critical requirement of consistent reading level improvement within the K-5 age group, achieved through ongoing practice and immediate feedback mechanisms.

Burkiett remembers that the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a surge in freely available tech tools. However, Amira provides a unique benefit: a personalized, one-on-one tutoring experience tailored to each student’s individual reading level.

While it served as a substitute during the pandemic, its potential extends far beyond that.

“It could become a force multiplier,” Burkiett stated, emphasizing its ability to enhance teaching effectiveness.

The following demonstrates an earlier iteration of Amira, though the platform has since undergone updates:

When tested with students in her own district, Burkiett’s findings mirrored those from more structured studies. Students demonstrated reading level gains up to two or three times greater than those achieved through traditional assessment methods, with some assessments integrated directly into the teacher interface of the Amira application.

It’s important to acknowledge that attributing all progress solely to Amira isn’t feasible, as other factors inevitably contribute. Nevertheless, the tool appears to be beneficial and doesn’t impede learning, with its effectiveness directly linked to the frequency of use.

The precise mechanisms behind this improvement are less significant than the demonstrable fact that students learn more rapidly with the app compared to without it.

This also empowers educators to optimize resource allocation and instructional time.

Students facing limitations, such as shared computer access at home, may experience a disadvantage unrelated to their inherent abilities.

However, this challenge can be identified and addressed by teachers, unlike traditional take-home reading assignments.

Burkiett explained, “Prior to the pandemic, students often struggled with reading, and support was largely dependent on parental resources and availability.”

“Now, we can extend the benefits of personalized tutoring to all students, irrespective of their family’s financial situation or time constraints.

We can provide every student with access to this valuable learning resource.”

Navigating Challenging Circumstances

CEO Mark Angel is well-acquainted with difficult situations, although the integration of artificial intelligence represents a novel aspect for him.

Many members of the Amira team previously worked at Renaissance Learning, focusing on the implementation of traditional edtech software within elementary school settings. The technology utilized previously was considerably less complex than Amira; the primary hurdle involved integrating applications seamlessly into teacher workflows and ensuring their reliability when used by young children.

Angel emphasized the importance of actively listening to teachers, whom he considers “superusers.” He also highlighted the necessity of designing for imperfect environments, such as those with background noise or children interacting with the microphone.

After establishing confidence in the app’s ability to accurately decode spoken words, the system was assigned three core functions falling under the umbrella of machine learning.

The initial task involves distinguishing between correct and incorrect readings. This can prove challenging due to natural variations in speech patterns. The system focuses on identifying significant errors, rather than simply deviations from a standard, and allows learners to progress at their own pace and in their own voice, only flagging issues like silent letter pronunciations.

Regarding English language learners and their accents, Angel explained that the company and its research collaborators made substantial efforts to ensure a diverse dataset. The model only identifies pronunciations that suggest a word was misread or not understood.

The second function is determining the appropriate corrective action for an error. For instance, a silent 'k' requires a different response depending on whether the student is a first-grader still learning spelling or a proficient fourth-grader. Is this a recurring mistake, or a new one? Does the student need an explanation or further examples?

“The goal is to support a student in the moment, both during the act of reading and within the context of their learning journey,” Angel stated.

Image Credits: Amira Learning

The third function is a data-driven triage system that alerts students and parents to potential language learning difficulties, such as dyslexia. Reading patterns can reveal potential issues, and while Amira cannot provide a diagnosis, it can identify students who may benefit from further evaluation. (Angel assured that all data remains private and is considered the property of the school district, emphasizing the company’s commitment to data security.)

The $11 million in funding arrives at a potentially pivotal moment for Amira’s expansion. The investment round was spearheaded by Authentic Ventures II, LP, with contributions from Vertical Ventures, Owl Ventures and Rethink Education.

Angel noted that the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically highlighted the problem Amira was designed to address. “Our nation has consistently struggled to ensure all children become proficient readers. The statistics are concerning—over two-thirds of fourth-graders lack proficiency, and this disparity is linked to income and race. This is a long-standing challenge.”

After offering the product at no cost for a year, the company is now focused on converting users into paying customers. The shift back to normalcy doesn’t necessarily equate to a return to pre-pandemic conditions, as the lessons learned during the pandemic continue to resonate.

“Schools are not simply reverting to previous methods,” Angel explained. “They are seeking a new approach—integrating technology while maintaining a classroom environment with direct interaction between students and teachers. We are dedicated to establishing Amira as a standard component of the post-COVID classroom.”

This involves expanding the app’s capabilities to support language learners across a wider range of levels and grades, including middle school students. Additionally, the team is developing tools to better track and understand success at the classroom and district levels.

Amira’s appearance was updated in the latest version of the app. Image Credits: Amira Learning

The company is also launching a new app specifically designed for parents. “A year ago, all usage occurred in the classroom; then, within three weeks, all usage shifted to home. We gained valuable insights into adapting to this change, and we are now releasing Amira and Story Craft to help parents support their children’s learning.”

Hundreds of school districts have expressed preliminary interest—facilitated by a distribution partnership with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, also an investor—but final decisions are being delayed due to ongoing outbreaks, parental concerns, and the general complexities of returning to “normal” operations.

A potential boost may come from a new partnership with Miami Dolphins linebacker Brennan Scarlett, who will advise the board and fund access for 100 students at a Portland, OR school through his Big Yard Foundation—with plans for further expansion. While a small contribution in the grand scheme, teachers recognize the value of every effort.