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Pocahontas superintendent cites literacy gains, pilots local AI to support teachers
Summary
Dr. Lance Arbuckle said Pocahontas students posted regional gains on state literacy growth measures and described a locally built AI pilot to personalize reading instruction; he emphasized the technology is intended to assist, not replace, classroom teachers.
Dr. Lance Arbuckle, superintendent of the POCAHONTAS SCHOOL DISTRICT, said the district saw measurable growth in literacy and is piloting a district-specific artificial intelligence tool to tailor instruction for students.
Arbuckle told the Coffee Club radio program that literacy is "foundational" to all academic work and described recent state growth data showing third graders moved from 10th to fifth place in the Northeast region while other grades made similar jumps. "We had quite a few kiddos at our grade levels jump," he said, crediting teachers' work for the improvement.
The superintendent explained the district is using a locally developed AI application to individualize learning because not all districts use the same curriculum or materials. "We have been working with a group of teachers to pilot an artificial intelligence tool that we have created in Pocahontas," Arbuckle said, adding the tool is "Pocahontas specific" and designed to differentiate instruction for students.
When asked whether AI could replace classroom teachers, Arbuckle rejected that idea. "We will never be able to replace teachers," he said, calling teachers "the most important aspect of a Student Success." He said the district's approach is to provide tools that enhance teachers' work and help them better serve students.
Arbuckle also described classroom-level practices tied to the science of reading, including teacher training known as Letters (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) and focused instruction in phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. He emphasized early language exposure, saying toddlers hearing words and watching mouth formation helps later reading development.
The superintendent framed the AI pilot and teacher coaching as complementary: technology supplies data and individualized practice while teachers provide instruction and relationship-building in classrooms. He said the district's role is to support teachers so they can support students.
The district did not provide funding details for the AI pilot, vendor names, or an implementation timeline during the interview.
Arbuckle said he will report back to the program after participating in legislative meetings in Little Rock the following week.
