Enhancing Reading Comprehension in the Era of AI
UIW's Quality Enhancement Plan
By Stephanie Grote-Garcia, PhD
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is embarking on an exciting journey to enhance undergraduate students’ reading comprehension with the launch of its Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), titled Enhancing Reading Comprehension in the Era of AI (Artificial Intelligence). Set to begin in the fall of 2025, this initiative illustrates UIW's commitment to academic excellence and student achievement in an ever-evolving digital landscape. Vice President of Academic Affairs and Interim Provost Dimitri Tamalis, PhD shared, "We are building readers who don't just consume information, but who analyze, synthesize and transform it. UIW's QEP will use the era of AI to create critical thinkers for a complex world."
What is the QEP?
The QEP is a core component of UIW’s reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. As part of the reaffirmation process, institutions must develop a QEP that focuses on enhancing student learning and success.
The QEP is an opportunity for the University to identify a key area for improvement, implement targeted initiatives, and demonstrate measurable outcomes that align with the institution's mission and strategic goals. By engaging faculty, staff and students, the QEP fosters a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, ensuring that UIW meets the evolving needs of its diverse student population.
Addressing the Reading Comprehension Challenge
In today's fast-paced, information-driven world, reading comprehension is more crucial than ever. Strong literacy skills empower students to synthesize vast amounts of information, make informed decisions and excel in their academic pursuits. However, national trends indicate that many students struggle with college-level reading. Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress and the Northwest Evaluation Association have highlighted significant gaps, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges have prompted UIW to take proactive measures to support its student body.
A Multi-Tiered Approach to Success
To address these challenges, the QEP will implement a three-tiered approach designed to support students at every stage of their academic journey:
- Tier 1: Campus-Wide Initiatives
The foundation of the QEP lies in campuswide integration of text-dependent assignments across disciplines. Faculty will incorporate evidence-based reading strategies such as previewing, summarizing and questioning to support comprehension.
Additionally, UIW will provide accessible literacy resources through the QEP website and offer faculty professional development via the Center for Teaching and Learning.
- Tier 2: Specialized Faculty and Peer Support
Faculty will have the opportunity to participate in the Reading Academies, which provide discipline-specific support in embedding reading strategies into coursework. The program also includes a comprehensive peer tutor training initiative to ensure students receive the support they need outside the classroom.
- Tier 3: Individualized Student Support
Students will benefit from one-on-one tutoring in the AI-supported Reading, Writing and Learning Center, which will be opening in the fall. The center will feature the UIW AI-Powered Academic Reading Assistance System (UIW AIARAS), which is being developed by Dr. Chunling Niu in the Dreeben School of Education. UIW AI-ARAS will serve as a reading coach and offer personalized feedback to students as they apply a variety of strategies while reading.
Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment
The QEP aims to achieve two core student learning outcomes:
- Students will develop the ability to read, analyze and synthesize complex texts for specific purposes.
- Students will utilize a variety of reading strategies to enhance comprehension in both general and discipline-specific contexts.
To measure progress, the University will administer the Nelson-Denny Reading Test at key academic milestones: freshman year, sophomore year and senior year. This standardized assessment will provide valuable insights into students' growth over time, ensuring that interventions are effectively supporting student success.
Harnessing AI for Enhanced Learning
One of the most innovative aspects of the QEP is its integration of artificial intelligence. The UIW AI-ARAS will serve as a powerful tool for individualized reading support, guiding students as they navigate complex texts. While students engage with their readings, the UIW AI-ARAS will actively coach them in applying reading strategies, offering real-time feedback on their use of these strategies. This dynamic support system will not only help students refine their comprehension skills but also provide personalized guidance on how to approach different types of texts, fostering deeper understanding. Through interactive features such as personalized goals, individualized coaching and adaptive quizzes, the UIW AI-ARAS will continually assess students’ progress and adapt its recommendations to meet their evolving needs.
This AI-driven approach not only enhances comprehension but also holds the potential to transform individualized support, enabling a more tailored learning experience, and ultimately optimizing learning outcomes for students.
Looking Ahead
As UIW prepares for the fall 2025 QEP launch, excitement is building across campus. The initiative represents a significant step forward in ensuring that students are well-equipped to thrive in an academic environment increasingly shaped by technology. By fostering a culture of reading excellence, UIW is reaffirming its commitment to holistic student development and lifelong learning.
For more information, visit the QEP website.