The Institute for Education Sciences (IES) announced four new research and development centers focused on expanding generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) for K-12 classrooms, teachers, and students.
In a press release, IES announced the newest set of Accelerate, Transform, Scale (ATS) Initiative investments: four National Research and Development (R&D) Centers focusing on Using Generative Artificial Intelligence to Augment Teaching and Learning in Classrooms (U-GAIN).
IES said the four new R&D Centers address the ATS Initiative’s objective to identify high-reward, quick turnaround, scalable solutions to improve education outcomes for all learners and eliminate persistent achievement and attainment gaps. The new centers are co-funded by IES and the National Science Foundation.
The central purpose of these U-GAIN R&D Centers is to conduct research and provide national leadership on how the use of GenAI can make meaningful contributions to improve education processes and outcomes.
IES noted that while GenAI brings many new opportunities to reshape the work of educators with tools to augment teacher practice and to support student learning, it also poses new challenges and risks – including equity, privacy, and security concerns – particularly around its use with young learners and among learners from historically marginalized populations. IES said the new centers will demonstrate how to integrate responsible AI practices throughout the research and development process, particularly in the education context.
“Most importantly,” said Acting IES Director Matthew Soldner, “these new centers will design and scale GenAI tools that support student learning while enabling well-trained educators to do what they do best: ensuring every learner reaches their fullest potential.”
Each U-GAIN R&D Center will have a unique research focus, with two centers focusing on the use of GenAI to improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and two centers focusing on improving literacy outcomes. IES also noted that the centers are also interdisciplinary collaborations among universities, non-profits, and the technology industry, alongside partnerships with educators and local and state education agencies.
