Do we have to adopt a new curriculum?
No. Amplify strengthens the literacy instruction you’re already using.
Is there a cost?
The US Department of Education EIR grant (Education Innovation and Research) funds the professional learning, coaching, technology, and teacher stipends, making participation little to no cost for districts. Teachers are compensated $25/hour (up to 40 hours) for out of contract time. Schools will be reimbursed if substitute teachers are needed.
Is this a lot of extra work?
Teachers will attend 2-day in-person training (travel compensated), attend virtual sessions, receive PLC time, and coaching. The ready-to-use tools are designed to increase the efficiency of planning time while improving instruction.
How is AI used?
Teachers and students use a custom-built, privacy-protected Google Gemini Gem called Ampy—an instructional AI co-pilot designed specifically for evidence-based literacy instruction. For teachers, Ampy supports lesson planning, differentiation, instructional design, formative assessment, and data-informed decision making. For students, it provides personalized reading experiences, writing support, dictation tools, scaffolded coaching, and guided feedback within a secure educational environment. Ampy was intentionally designed with MAP Growth outcomes in mind, aligns with the Missouri Learning Standards, and integrates with data sources such as i-Ready to help teachers identify instructional priorities, personalize learning, and design responsive curriculum, instruction, and materials that meet students’ literacy needs.
How does this program integrate LETRS training and other evidence-based literacy instruction programs?
Rather than replacing expertise, artificial intelligence is a co-pilot that strengthens what you already know, personalizes learning, and expands opportunities for authentic reading, writing, and communication.
Will parents need to consent?
As a condition of accepting grant funding, eMINTS and the University of Missouri must conduct an evaluation of the program’s effectiveness on teaching and learning. Data will be collected and analyzed by a separate MU evaluation team. Parents will be asked to sign a consent form allowing their child’s data (demographics and standardized state assessment scores) to be shared with evaluators of the program. Students will also give their assent to have their data collected. The district will share student data only if both parents and students opt IN.
Our research team will send the district an updated list of all that consented to participate. We will ask the district to send data only for students who consented.
Consent may be withdrawn at any time.
What is the purpose of recording implementation using the SWIVL videos?
Research and data collection focus on evaluating the effectiveness of the program and professional learning in improving teaching practices and student learning. The observations will only be viewed by our research staff. Videos are submitted and accessed by a protected portal, and teachers have full control of video viewing permissions and may delete videos at any time.