$2M Grant Supports New Reading Tool for Early Learners
By Rachel Sampson
June 5, 2026
June 5, 2026
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A team of researchers at the UC Irvine School of Education has been awarded a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to create a new digital reading tool for children with reading difficulties.
Led by Distinguished Professor Mark Warschauer and Professor Young-Suk Kim, the five-year project, CHAT-ABLE: Conversational Help for Advancing Text Comprehension through AI-Based Literacy Engagement, will develop My Story Detective, an interactive platform that uses artificial intelligence to help young readers strengthen comprehension, vocabulary, and literacy skills through guided conversations about books. |
Mark Warschauer (left) and Young-Suk Kim
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The project focuses on a challenge facing schools across the country: helping students who fall behind in reading get early support, when intervention can make the biggest difference.
As students read, My Story Detective engages them in conversations about stories, asking questions, encouraging discussion, and providing support tailored to each child's needs. The platform will include more than 65 illustrated storybooks and adapt based on students' responses, helping build vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills.
Building on Kim's previously developed Study Detective instructional framework and Warschauer’s cutting-edge research on AI-based dialogic learning, the project brings together expertise in literacy science, educational technology, and artificial intelligence to address one of education's most pressing challenges: improving reading outcomes for young learners.
Together, the researchers are exploring how emerging technology can help expand access to individualized reading support for students who may not otherwise receive it.
Researchers also hope the platform can extend learning beyond the classroom by giving families new ways to support reading at home.
The project reflects the School of Education's continued commitment to improving literacy outcomes and creating innovative tools that help more children become confident, successful readers.
As students read, My Story Detective engages them in conversations about stories, asking questions, encouraging discussion, and providing support tailored to each child's needs. The platform will include more than 65 illustrated storybooks and adapt based on students' responses, helping build vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills.
Building on Kim's previously developed Study Detective instructional framework and Warschauer’s cutting-edge research on AI-based dialogic learning, the project brings together expertise in literacy science, educational technology, and artificial intelligence to address one of education's most pressing challenges: improving reading outcomes for young learners.
Together, the researchers are exploring how emerging technology can help expand access to individualized reading support for students who may not otherwise receive it.
Researchers also hope the platform can extend learning beyond the classroom by giving families new ways to support reading at home.
The project reflects the School of Education's continued commitment to improving literacy outcomes and creating innovative tools that help more children become confident, successful readers.
