OIBAIOIBAI
The AI assistant built for paraeducators.Not adapted for them, built for them.
Ask a real classroom question. Get a practical, research-backed answer with the source shown, in the moment you need it. No generic chatbot guesswork.
How do I help a student stay on task without standing over them?
Try a fading-prompts approach: start with a clear, quiet cue to begin the task, then step back. Give the student space to work, and check in on a set interval rather than hovering. Gradually lengthen the interval as they succeed, so the support fades as their independence grows.
Source shown with every answer.
The largest workforce in special educationis also the least trained.
488,000
paraeducators, and counting.
Their numbers have grown by 131% and they now outnumber special education teachers, yet the training they receive has not kept pace (Massafra et al., 2020; Walker et al., 2020).
With training, implementation fidelity rises from 0–25% to 85–99% — the difference between a strategy that fails and one that works — and students do better when they are supported by well-prepared staff (Brock et al., 2021; Walker et al., 2020).
That is the moment OIBAI is built for.
Why OIBAI is different
It knows one field deeply.
OIBAI is built on special-education practice, not general internet text — so its answers fit the classroom you actually work in.
It shows its work.
Every answer names the source it draws from, so you can check it and trust it before you act.
It knows when to stop.
OIBAI offers a starting point and then steps back — it supports your judgment instead of replacing it.
“What do I do when a student refuses to start their work?”
Try to stay positive and build rapport. Every student is different, so use your best judgment and offer encouragement to keep them motivated.
Offer a small, concrete first step and a brief choice about how to start — this lowers the demand and returns a sense of control. Reinforce the moment they begin, then fade your prompts as they keep going.
Brock et al., 2021A tool that respects your judgment
“Excessive proximity can interfere with a student's access to instruction, peer interaction, and independence.”
OIBAI is designed the same way: it offers a practical starting point and then steps back, leaving the judgment — and the relationship with the student — where it belongs, with you.
Who is a paraeducator?
A paraeducator is a trained school staff member who supports students — often those with disabilities — in and out of the classroom, working alongside teachers to deliver instruction and behavioral support.
You may know the role by another name: paraprofessional, instructional aide, teacher's aide, classroom assistant, or simply “para.” Federal law uses the term paraprofessional.
Built from research
OIBAI began as graduate research at Sonoma State University, born from a simple question: why is the workforce closest to students with the greatest needs the one with the least support?
OIBAI is a research prototype. It does not provide medical, legal, or diagnostic advice, and it is not a substitute for district training, supervision, or team decision making.
References (7)
- Brock, M. E., et al. (2021).
- Damiani, M. L., et al. (2023).
- Giangreco, M. F. (1997, 2011).
- Massafra, A., et al. (2020).
- McDermott, R., et al. (2024).
- Walker, V. L., et al. (2020).
- Wiggs, N. B., et al. (2021).