PreK students who participated in Nevada’s UPSTART program had strong early literacy and math outcomes. The program’s effects were large enough to have a substantive impact on children’s learning and development, with a 42% return on investment. Benefits were similar for dual‑language and monolingual learners.
ESSA Tier: Tier 1 (RCT)
Impact of UPSTART Reading Participation on Preschooler’s Early Literacy Skills
Children using UPSTART’s reading software scored higher in letter knowledge and phonological awareness than those using math software, even after accounting for prior skills and district differences. The study shows that computer‑based early literacy instruction can effectively strengthen foundational reading skills for rural preschoolers.
Randomized Controlled Trial of Kindergarten Students Using Literacy Technology
Children in Indiana who were randomly assigned to use a 15‑minute‑a‑day computer‑adaptive reading program ended kindergarten with stronger reading scores than peers receiving only teacher‑led instruction. Higher scores were observed across all backgrounds, indicating that adding adaptive technology can give young learners extra support in learning to read.
Improving Early Literacy Skills Using Technology at Home
Preschoolers in rural Utah who were randomly assigned to use a computer‑adaptive reading program scored higher in overall literacy and across multiple reading skills than peers assigned to use a math/science program. Benefits held across all demographic groups, showing computer‑assisted instruction can strengthen early literacy and support kindergarten readiness.
Improving Early Math Skills: Upstart Program Effects from PreK to Kindergarten
Nevada preschoolers randomly assigned to the Upstart math program scored higher in math concepts and applications than those randomly assigned to the reading program, both after PreK and again in kindergarten. Multilingual and non-multilingual learners benefited equally. Results show early, at‑home, technology‑based math instruction can strengthen school‑readiness skills.
Waterford Upstart Summer Learning Program Effects
Rural preschoolers who used Waterford Upstart’s Summer Learning Path before kindergarten scored significantly higher on measures of early math skills. The adaptive, at‑home program helped address limited early‑education access and pandemic disruptions. Results show technology‑based summer learning can strengthen school‑readiness math skills for rural children.
Preventing Summer Learning Loss: A Randomized Control Trial
Children in South Dakota and Wyoming who used Waterford’s computer‑assisted literacy program during the summer before kindergarten scored higher in overall literacy—especially blending and letter recognition—than peers using the math/science program. Benefits held for children experiencing poverty and for students of color, showing strong, equitable summer learning gains.
Randomized Control Trial: Early Learning CAI on Literacy Skills Across Demographics
PreK children across five states who used Waterford’s computer‑assisted literacy program scored significantly higher overall and in blending, letter sounds, and letter recognition subskills than peers using the math/science program. Benefits extended across demographic groups, including multilingual learners and children experiencing poverty, showing CAI’s potential to strengthen early literacy skills.