Vanderbilt LIVE and MNPS create AI empowered student advising to strengthen post secondary readiness

LIVE, the Learning Innovation Incubator at Vanderbilt University, and Metro Nashville Public Schools are partnering to create human-centered, AI-empowered student advising experiences. This effort builds on Vanderbilt Peabody College and MNPS's ongoing collaboration via the Nashville Partnership for Educational Equity Research (PEER) to promote postsecondary readiness through increased access to and success in early post-secondary opportunities (EPSOs).

The project, supported by the Siegel Family Endowment and the Walton Family Foundation, was one of 40 phase-one winners selected from 272 applications in the Learning Landscapes Challenge, a $2.2 million competition to create future-ready K-12 education environments. The team received $5,000 and advances to the phase-two virtual accelerator.

LIVE and MNPS's AI-Empowered 7-12 College and Career Readiness project aims to merge advanced AI technologies with social supports to transform student advising. The initiative will provide personalized digital, in-school, and community-based support to help students prepare for post-secondary success.

Alyssa Wise

LIVE Director Alyssa Wise describes how the assistance of these AI tools will provide multiple benefits to students: "Counselors will have more time to build relationships with students and provide them tailored, proactive guidance; families will be given additional entry points to contribute to their child's educational planning; and schools will be better positioned to coordinate with community organizations to offer enriching out-of-school career experiences."

MNPS offers a wide range of EPSOs including Advanced Placement classes, dual credit courses and industry certifications, but students need tailored guidance to align these opportunities with their career goals and schedules. The level of personalized advising required of school counselors is expected to grow given the escalating complexity of postsecondary requirements and job market expectations.

Uniting Vanderbilt LIVE's expertise in AI learning technologies and MNPS's deep experience supporting student development, the project will develop human-centered AI tools that integrate personalized information on graduation requirements, college-specific requirements, courses, grades, test scores, student aspirations and existing participation in EPSOs, clubs, and activities. Students will be able to explore careers, prioritize preparatory opportunities, develop manageable schedules, and monitor their progress toward their goals more seamlessly. The team plans to co-design these tools and social supports with students and counselors to ensure they address real needs and help students graduate prepared for success in college and their future careers.

Vanderbilt personnel on the project include faculty experts from Peabody College of education and human development and the School of Engineering. MNPS personnel are experts in post-secondary readiness, digital strategy, and educational technology.

Vanderbilt University Team

• Alyssa Wise, professor of technology and education and director of LIVE, the Learning Innovation Incubator
• Erin Henrick, assistant professor of practice and co-director of the Nashville Partnership for Educational Equity Research
• Gautam Biswas, Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Engineering and professor of computer science
• Jules White, senior chancellor advisor on generative AI and professor of computer science

Metro Nashville Public Schools Team

• Sarah Chin, chief strategy officer
• Sanjana Ballal-Link, director for partnerships for postsecondary readiness
• Abbey Loehr, manger of research-practice partnerships and co-director of the Nashville Partnership for Educational Equity Research
• David Williams, deputy chief of academics
• Matt Nelson, executive director for college and career readiness
• Doug Renfro, executive director of digital strategy and implementation
• Elisa Norris, chief of student support services and college and career readiness

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