Improvements to the Idaho Reading Indicator
Test Introduce New Features for Classrooms and Advanced Tools to
Support Dyslexia Assessment, Powered by Amira Learning
SAN
FRANCISCO, Jan. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Amira
Learning (Amira), the creator of the first and only proven
Intelligent Reading Assistant for teachers and AI Reading Tutor for
students, today announced that the Idaho Department of Education
has selected Istation, now known as Amira Learning, as the approved
vendor for the administration of the Idaho Reading Indicator (IRI).
The IRI is required of Idaho's
public school students in kindergarten through third grades. It is
administered twice during the school year, in the fall, and again
in the spring. The IRI delivered by Istation includes offerings
that will assist instructors in effectively assessing students with
dyslexia.
"Early identification of reading challenges is imperative to
every student's literacy journey," said Mark Angel, CEO of Amira Learning. "Istation,
now backed with Amira's leading-edge AI, leads a successful
screening program that has been unanimously approved in other
states, including California and
Georgia. Our screener enables
early intervention, giving students the remediation they need to
stay on track and not fall behind."
Istation, Idaho's IRI vendor
since 2017, was once again selected as part of a selective bidding
process to provide IRI in Idaho
schools for the next five years under this renewed contract. The
merged company is well-positioned to offer improvements and
advancements in both technological features and content.
"The decision to go with Istation following its merger with
Amira Learning offers our classrooms the consistency and proven
effectiveness of the current IRI test along with a renewed sense of
direction and improvements that are aligned with the evolving needs
of Idaho's students," said
Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie
Critchfield. "This partnership allows us to collaborate with
a proven player while offering an option that addresses the
evolving nature of student assessment in Idaho."
The ISIP assessment now includes significant enhancements to
better support educators and students, including the introduction
of criterion-referenced scoring to evaluate student performance
against defined benchmarks. A new fluency section has been added to
develop critical real-world reading and writing skills, while
updates provide targeted support for assessing students with
dyslexia. Additionally, the assessment features a required Rapid
Automatized Naming (RAN) section to effectively evaluate reading
processing speed, ensuring early identification of reading
challenges and improved intervention strategies.
"Assisting educators in addressing dyslexia has been an ongoing
priority for the department, and earlier identification means more
students will benefit from earlier interventions and assistance,"
said Critchfield. "The updated IRI assessment allows for more
accurate identification of students who may be struggling. This
tool will give educators another means of supporting students
throughout their academic careers."
The current version of the IRI assessment will remain in place
for the current school year. Then, the department will work closely
with districts and charters to transition to the updated
platform.
The department's Assessment and Accountability team will share
details with local educators on training opportunities,
implementation timelines and available resources in the coming
months.
About Amira Learning
Amira Learning accelerates
literacy outcomes by delivering the latest reading and neuroscience
with AI. Propelling gains exceeding human tutoring, Amira is the
only AI edtech validated by university and SEA efficacy
research.
Amira's Intelligent Growth Engine seamlessly bridges assessment,
instruction, and tutoring, powering a coherent instructional cycle
centered on a district's chosen curriculum. Amira continuously
identifies skill gaps, recommends individualized reading plans
aligned with district curricula, and delivers 1:1 tutoring with
real-time feedback.
Amira's unique ability to listen to students read aloud drives
unprecedented growth, delivering an effect size of over 0.4.
Trusted by more than 2,000 districts and schools worldwide, Amira
is the intelligent assistant teachers need to turn students into
motivated and masterful readers.
To learn more about Amira Learning, visit amiralearning.com.
Media Contact
Shelby Busen, Amira Learning, 6364855430,
amira@thekeypr.com, https://amiralearning.com/
SOURCE Amira Learning
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SOURCE Amira Learning
