National & State Policies

prek students do smartstart activities in classroom

State Legislature Group Weighs in on Importance of Preschool, Identifies UPSTART as Innovative Model

November 12, 2015

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) recently weighed in on the importance of preschool with an article called “Preschool is for Real,” which features Waterford’s UPSTART program as one innovative example of early education efforts. The article discusses how brain researchers and developmental psychologists continue to discover more findings

U.S. Education Official Meets with Waterford about UPSTART

July 28, 2015

A U.S. Department of Education official recently visited Waterford to discuss UPSTART, our in-home, technology-delivered kindergarten readiness program that–with the aid of a federal grant–is being studied for its effectiveness in rural areas of Utah. John B. King Jr., senior advisor delegated duties of deputy secretary of education, said UPSTART

Libby Doggett Recounts Utah Trip in Blog “Cities Can’t Wait When it Comes to Early Learning”

June 9, 2014

In April, Dr. Libby Doggett, deputy assistant secretary of policy and early learning at the U.S. Department of Education, visited Salt Lake City and presented her talk, ” “High Tech Tots: Opportunities and Challenges” as part of a town hall event we were proud to host. Today, in a blog post

Watch Libby Doggett’s Utah Presentation on Tech and Early Education

April 18, 2014

Did you miss Dr. Libby Doggett, deputy assistant secretary of policy and early learning at the U.S. Department of Education, when she was in Utah speaking earlier this month? No worries! We’ve got a full video of her talk “High Tech Tots: Opportunities and Challenges” up on our YouTube channel

Federal Education Official Talks Technology and Early Ed in Utah

April 2, 2014

When used properly, technology can improve learning, teaching and the relationship between educators and parents, Dr. Libby Doggett, deputy assistant secretary of policy and early learning at the U.S. Department of Education, told a Utah audience last night. “Devices not only bring the world to our students …They can bring

Come See the U.S. Department of Education’s Dr. Libby Doggett in Salt Lake City

March 24, 2014

There’s no doubt early education is a hot topic right now. It’s part of President Barack Obama’s education agenda — so much so that he highlighted in January’s State of the Union address. On a state level, funding early-childhood programs was a high-profile question before many legislators this session. There’s

Nelina Moore, 5, does UPSTART preschool work at home in West Valley City on Wednesday, April 8, 2015.

U.S. Department of Education Official Dr. Libby Doggett to Speak in Salt Lake City

March 12, 2014

March 12, 2014 — Just a few months after President Barack Obama reaffirmed his major initiative to expand preschool in his State of the Union address, Utahns have the chance to hear from the U.S. Education Department’s top early education official at a free town hall event. Dr. Libby Doggett,

Education Highlights from the State of the Union Address

January 29, 2014

Did you watch the State of the Union address last night? If so, you heard President Barack Obama expand on several existing education proposals, including two topics close to our hearts: early childhood education and education technology. President Obama reiterated his call (first announced in last year’s State-of the Union

“Too Small To Fail:” Every Kid Deserves a Chance to Learn

December 13, 2013

In September 2013, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, announced the formation of “Too Small to Fail,” a venture with the goal to help kids birth to age 5 be better prepared to succeed in the 21st century. Clinton’s involvement in early education has shined a light on a