Across the world, the conversation around education is changing. Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant possibility in the classroom. It is here, it is evolving, and it is reshaping how children learn to read, speak, and think. At Roots and Wings, we believe this shift presents not only a challenge but an extraordinary opportunity, especially for the youngest and most vulnerable learners.

For years, our team at Roots and Wings has been tacking the early literacy crisis right here in Palm Beach County. Through Project UpLift, we have supported thousands of students in Title One public elementary schools. These are students who are reading one to two grades below level and are in the bottom 25 percent of their classes. These students don’t lack potential; they simply need more time and individual attention to catch up and gain parity with their more resourced peers.

Roots and Wings currently serves 20 Title One public elementary schools across the county. Our i-Ready results last year were powerful: 96% of our third-grade students in Project UpLift improved their reading scores – progress critical to advancing to fourth grade. Just as significantly, they began to see themselves as confident, capable learners.

With the back-to-school season upon us, supporting literacy means thinking bigger. It means meeting students where they are – and equipping them for where the world is heading.

Technology is a Tool, NOT a Replacement

At this summer’s EdExec Summit, leaders in AI and education emphasized the importance of inclusive, community-driven implementation that is backed by clear literacy strategies.

Our collaboration with BuddyBooks, an AI-powered literacy tool developed by ObjectiveEd, reflects that very approach – by combining innovation with thoughtful, student-centered application. With the use of a special headset, BuddyBooks allows students to read aloud while the software provides both the student and their Project UpLift teacher with real-time feedback on fluency, pronunciation, and comprehension. The program is personalized, intuitive, and engaging. It meets struggling readers exactly where they are.

What makes this technology so powerful that it frees teachers to use their time most effectively. Educators can now offload time-intensive tasks like reading assessments and focus instead on mentoring, motivating, and supporting their students on a human level. BuddyBooks provides real-time information, allowing teachers to be strategic with lesson planning and address the areas of greatest concern.

This is especially crucial in early education, where the window to build foundational literacy skills is incredibly short, critical, and crucial. Research tells us that students who cannot read proficiently by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. For children living in poverty, that risk is even higher. Research also informs us that 70% of prison inmates today cannot read above a fourth-grade level. The sooner we intervene, the more lives we can change.

The National Push for AI in Education

We are not alone in recognizing the shift towards AI. Around the country, AI is becoming an integral part of K-12 learning. The Miami-Dade school district recently deployed AI-powered chatbots to over 100,000 students. Private schools like Alpha in Austin, Texas are using AI to personalize instruction in core subjects. And nearly 70 major technology companies have signed pledges to advance AI education in schools.

Yet most of this innovation is targeted at middle and high school students. Very few programs are asking the most urgent question: What about our youngest learners?

At Roots and Wings, we are answering that question with action.

Early Literacy in an AI World

For children growing up today, AI is not a novelty; it’s part of their norm. They ask Spotify to play their favorite songs, they follow Google Maps like a game, and they interact with voice assistants as easily as they do with adults. The line between machine and mentor is already blurred.

That is why it is so important to ground these young learners in strong foundational skills -reading, speaking, listening – and to pair those skills with thoughtful, guided exposure to the tools of tomorrow. As global research now shows, digital literacy must be considered a foundational skill in early education, just like reading and arithmetic. In our work with BuddyBooks, we’re blending reading, speech fluency, and age‑appropriate tech exposure to prepare students not just to read, but to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Programs like BuddyBooks do not eliminate the need for teachers; they amplify what great teachers are able to do. BuddyBooks, utilizing age-appropriate books that are approved by the School District, significantly boosts a student’s literacy and confidence.

At Roots and Wings, we have always believed that literacy is a human endeavor. It is about connection, curiosity, and confidence. Finding ways to engage students with literature that they find interesting is so important. We also believe in progress, and in the responsibility to stay ahead of the curve, especially for students who are already starting from behind.

Looking Ahead

We are proud to be the largest free literacy intervention program in Palm Beach County. By embracing evidence-based innovation and keeping students at the center, we are showing that technology and teaching do not have to compete. They can collaborate successfully!

As we expand Project UpLift to more students in Title One public elementary schools, and implementing tools like Buddy Books, we invite our community to grow with us. Let us build a future where all children, regardless of zip code or reading level, can thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Together, when we invest boldly and intentionally in early literacy, we uplift every child – and our entire community rises in the process.

To learn more about Project UpLift and how you can support us in our mission, please visit: https://rootsandwingsinc.org/support/.