Aldine ISD Leads State in Reading Gains, Powered by Teachers, Coaching, and AI Innovation

District partnership with Coursemojo helps students achieve double-digit reading gains — proving AI can amplify great teaching

From Sandra Perez Chaviano / Guest writer

Aldine ISD continues to set the bar for literacy excellence. According to the latest 2025 STAAR results, Aldine posted the largest year-over-year reading gains among large districts in Texas — a 7-point increase districtwide.

At the heart of this success is a powerful blend of effective coaching, high-quality instructional materials, and AI-powered support developed in partnership with Coursemojo, an innovative platform co-developed with Aldine educators to make teaching more engaging, equitable, and effective.

A Human-Centered Partnership

When Coursemojo Co-CEO Dacia Toll visited Aldine last year, she saw something special: middle school English language arts teachers not just using technology but shaping it.

“The best edtech tools aren’t built in isolation,” Toll said. “They’re co-developed with teachers who know their students and classrooms best.”

Together, Aldine and Coursemojo aligned AI-powered supports directly to Wit & Wisdom, the district’s high-quality ELA curriculum. The result is a teaching assistant that helps educators facilitate small groups, monitor learning, and deliver feedback — all while keeping teachers at the center of instruction.

Results That Speak for Themselves

In campuses piloting Coursemojo, the gains have been transformative.

Students using Mojo achieved an additional 6-point increase on top of Aldine’s districtwide improvement — a total 12-point gain in reading proficiency over one school year.

The impact was strongest for students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch (+9.3) and emergent bilingual learners (+8.5) — evidence that AI, when built for equity, can help close persistent learning gaps.

“These gains are a testament to our teachers’ hard work and willingness to innovate,” said Dr. Faviola Cantú, chief academic officer. “By pairing human expertise with smart AI support, we’re ensuring every student — regardless of background — can grow and thrive.”

AI That Extends Teachers — Not Replaces Them

As Coursemojo Co-CEO Eric Westendorf explained, the platform addresses a fundamental challenge: students need feedback to grow, but teachers are stretched thin.

“Mojo gives students rich, curriculum-aligned feedback in the moment, without waiting for the teacher to circle back,” he said. “And it gives teachers sharper insight into where to focus next. We’re not building something that competes with teachers — we’re extending their reach.”

Coursemojo’s approach has already met Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Tier 2 quasi-experimental standards, confirming its evidence-based impact.

Co-Designing the Future of Teaching

Aldine’s role went beyond implementation. Teachers actively participated in design sessions, prototyping, and feature prioritization, ensuring the platform reflected real classroom needs.

“Their feedback shaped every next step,” Toll said. “We’re building the teaching assistant they deserve.”

This year, four additional campuses will join the initiative, expanding access to AI-driven supports across the district.

A Model for the Future

As Aldine looks ahead, the district remains focused on sustained literacy growth and meaningful innovation.

“This progress didn’t happen overnight,” said Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney. “It’s the result of investing in our teachers, following the data, and embracing tools that make teaching — and learning — more powerful.”

With Coursemojo as a partner, Aldine ISD is proving that AI can be a force for equity, engagement, and excellence — when it’s built with teachers, not just for them.