Incline Education Fund Brings AI Opportunity to Washoe County School District 

Submitted by Mary Danahey of Incline Education Fund

Thanks to a generous grant from the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Tahoe-Nevada, the Incline Education Fund (www.inclineeducationfund.org) has successfully completed its fundraising efforts to bring Skill Struck’s Chat for Schools AI platform to both Incline High School (IHS) and Incline Middle School (IMS). This community-supported initiative will launch a two-year pilot program that introduces an advanced, AI-driven learning tool designed to level the playing field for all students.

Developed by Skill Struck, Chat for Schools personalizes lesson plans and supports diverse learning styles, using a Socratic method of questioning to encourage critical thinking and deeper learning. The platform also provides real-time, personalized support in coding and computer science, enhancing student engagement while promoting independent problem-solving skills. Its multilingual capabilities are particularly beneficial for English Learners (EL), helping them keep pace with more advanced coursework despite language barriers. By integrating AI into the classroom, educators can offer more tailored learning experiences, ensuring every student can succeed in an increasingly digital world.

According to IHS Engineering teacher Adam Shoda, Chat for Schools is a valuable classroom tool. “The platform will allow me to give more one-on-one instruction to my students in the classroom, while challenging other students to think beyond immediate answers.  This is NOT about replacing a teacher with a computer, but an opportunity for me to target in-person instruction.  By using Chat for Schools’ response history, I will be able to uncover specific areas where a student may need more support or is eager to move ahead in their studies.”

While Incline Education Funds’ purchase of the Chat for Schools platform and training is limited to IHS and IMS, the program’s introduction creates broader opportunities for the Washoe County School District (WCSD).  Thanks to IEF’s contract, all other WCSD schools will also be eligible to run their own limited AI pilot programs through Skill Struck.

A leader in the Incline School’s K12 STEM Pathway, the Incline Education Fund continues to bring innovative and technologically advanced academic opportunities to the Incline Schools and is part of IEF’s broader effort to become “Model” schools for the state.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to the Incline Education Fund for their diligent efforts in securing funding to support K-12 education in the Incline community. Their unwavering dedication ensures that Incline’s elementary, middle, and high school students have access to invaluable resources and opportunities, helping them thrive academically and beyond. Thank you for your commitment to our future generations.”

Matt MacKay, WCSD CTE Coordinator 

For more information, visit www.inclineeducationfund.org.

Media Contact:  Mary Danahey, Executive Director, Incline Education Fund
maryd@inclineeducationfund.org | (650)-743-2309