Rolling out a new early learning program across 25 elementary schools is hard, especially when principals and teachers are already stretched thin. This case study shows how Moore Public Schools, Oklahoma’s fourth-largest district, succeeded at scaling an early learning pilot with Waterford Early Learning, growing from four skeptical schools into a district standard that now serves more than 4,600 students in PreK through 2nd grade.
The Challenge: Program Fatigue and Post-Pandemic Gaps
Moore’s previous program wasn’t driving the growth its young learners needed. After the pandemic, second graders were arriving with first-grade skills at best, and staff turnover meant many classrooms were led by emergency-certified teachers. Principals were also wary of adding another digital tool. As then-principal Debra Hendrix put it, “I didn’t want another program, didn’t want more screen time, and didn’t want to add more to teachers who were already going above and beyond.”
How Moore Approached Scaling an Early Learning Pilot
In 2022, Superintendent Dr. Robert Romines and now Deputy Superintendent Michelle McNear discovered Waterford Early Learning at an education conference. They were drawn to its research base and to an adaptive learning path designed for PreK–2 learners.
The district started small. PreK classrooms used integrated reading, math, and science, while kindergarten and first grade used reading only. A dedicated Waterford consultant spent consistent time on-site, coaching teachers in their classrooms and helping them fit the program into daily routines.
The Results: From Pilot to District Standard
Now in its fifth year, Waterford serves more than 4,600 PreK–2 students at Moore Public Schools, with K–2 classrooms using reading, math, and science. Strong growth on internal benchmarks and the Star Early Learning assessment made Waterford a non-negotiable district standard.
Hendrix, who agreed to the pilot to prove it wouldn’t work, now leads the district-wide rollout as Executive Director of Elementary Education. Principals use Waterford data to guide instructional decisions, teachers rely on it to differentiate, and students even use their own learning data to lead conversations with their families.
7 Keys to Scaling an Early Learning Pilot
Download the full case study for the seven practices Moore’s leadership team recommends, from leading with professional development and starting small to bringing school psychologists and intervention specialists into RTI data conversations.
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