Built for Learning: How DREAM Uses and Creates Student-Centered Artificial Intelligence Tools
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| Title: | Built for Learning: How DREAM Uses and Creates Student-Centered Artificial Intelligence Tools |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Michelle Croft, Marisa Mission, Amy Chen Kulesa, Bellwether |
| Source: | Bellwether. 2026. |
| Availability: | Bellwether. 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20001. Tel: 877-636-0909; Web site: https://bellwether.org/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 6 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | Bezos Family Foundation Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Charter School Growth Fund (CSGF) Overdeck Family Foundation |
| Document Type: | Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Elementary Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Artificial Intelligence, Technology Uses in Education, Charter Schools, Urban Schools, Elementary Secondary Education, Technology Integration, Educational Technology |
| Geographic Terms: | New York (New York) |
| Abstract: | The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into ed tech tools has raised myriad questions about how such advanced technology can both ease burdens for students and teachers and facilitate deep learning. Building on Bellwether's prior work examining how AI could amplify productive struggle and how to measure the impact of AI-powered ed tech tools, this case study series showcases those concepts in practice by spotlighting select organizations and describing their design approaches, trade-offs, and implementation choices. The case studies in this series are drawn from interviews conducted with organization leaders in summer 2025, and each profiled organization reviewed its case study for accuracy in October 2025. AI in education presents a wide range of potential use cases, from personalizing learning to creating more efficient processes. However, not all tools are high quality or fit the needs of a particular school, and the number of possible tool options can be overwhelming for district and school leaders. DREAM, a New York City-based charter school network, helps to illustrate how school leaders can think about vetting and building AI tools. DREAM serves approximately 2,500 pre-K through Grade 12 students in seven schools in East Harlem and the Bronx. DREAM is building a wide range of AI tools to support instruction and operations, designed to integrate with educator workflows and "to enhance human judgment and capacity, not to replace it." This case study presents how DREAM uses and creates student-centered artificial intelligence tools. |
| Abstractor: | ERIC |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | ED681620 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into ed tech tools has raised myriad questions about how such advanced technology can both ease burdens for students and teachers and facilitate deep learning. Building on Bellwether's prior work examining how AI could amplify productive struggle and how to measure the impact of AI-powered ed tech tools, this case study series showcases those concepts in practice by spotlighting select organizations and describing their design approaches, trade-offs, and implementation choices. The case studies in this series are drawn from interviews conducted with organization leaders in summer 2025, and each profiled organization reviewed its case study for accuracy in October 2025. AI in education presents a wide range of potential use cases, from personalizing learning to creating more efficient processes. However, not all tools are high quality or fit the needs of a particular school, and the number of possible tool options can be overwhelming for district and school leaders. DREAM, a New York City-based charter school network, helps to illustrate how school leaders can think about vetting and building AI tools. DREAM serves approximately 2,500 pre-K through Grade 12 students in seven schools in East Harlem and the Bronx. DREAM is building a wide range of AI tools to support instruction and operations, designed to integrate with educator workflows and "to enhance human judgment and capacity, not to replace it." This case study presents how DREAM uses and creates student-centered artificial intelligence tools. |
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