The newest online-only school authorized by the Arizona Charter School Commission has a twist. The academic curriculum will be taught entirely by AI.
Charter schools are independently operated but publicly funded, and typically have greater autonomy than traditional public schools in how subjects are taught. But Unbound Academy's application proposes an “AI-driven adaptive learning technology” that “condenses academic instruction into a two-hour window,” a first for this model. (Unbound's founders are running a similar program at an “upscale private school” in Texas, which appears to be in-person.)
Unbound's approach relies on education technology platforms like IXL and Khan Academy, where students participate in “an AI-powered interactive platform that continuously adjusts to their individual learning pace and style.” A small number of humans may not actually be certified teachers. It takes a “human-involved” approach where “skilled guides” can monitor progress and provide “targeted interventions” and coaching to each student. .
Academic instruction is reduced to just two hours. The rest of the students' day includes a “life skills workshop” covering areas such as critical thinking, creative problem solving, financial literacy, public speaking, goal setting, and entrepreneurship. will appear. This online-only school serves students from fourth grade through eighth grade.