UPSTART gives preschoolers personalized early learning at home, and research shows consistent, lasting gains in reading and school readiness. Children using UPSTART scored significantly higher than peers across multiple assessments and years. Families facing economic or other disadvantages often used the program more, suggesting UPSTART may help narrow achievement gaps.
ESSA Tier: Tier 4
Using CAI for Improving Academic Skills of Students with Special Needs
Students receiving special education services using CAI had higher reading and math end-of-year scores and gains than peers taught only through traditional lessons or with minimal CAI learning time. Results suggest that CAI can support early skills and help more learners meet proficiency.
Dosage Effects of CAI on Literacy Skills
Students who were randomly assigned to use CAI performed similarly to their control counterparts; however, those who reached at least 1,500 minutes made significantly stronger literacy gains than the control group. Findings highlight the importance of sustained program use for maximizing the benefits of CAI.
Effects of Long-Term and Early Use of CAI on Students’ Literacy Skills
Students who used the Waterford Early Learning program consistently scored higher in literacy than peers, with benefits maintained a year after program completion. Students who started earlier or used the program for multiple years demonstrated stronger results, suggesting that sustained CAI use supports long-term literacy development.
Using Adaptive CAI to Supplement Early Literacy Development
Students using Waterford achieved higher reading gains than peers across kindergarten, first grade, English learners, and students receiving special education services. Across assessed TPRI strands, Waterford users consistently demonstrated stronger literacy outcomes. Findings show that personalized CAI helps close early literacy gaps and supports diverse learners more effectively than traditional instruction alone.
Mississippi UPSTART and Head Start Evaluation
Mississippi preschoolers who used UPSTART reading or math maintained academic advantages through kindergarten: reading users scored higher in literacy, math users scored higher in math, and social‑emotional skills were similar. The program showed lasting benefits for children in high‑poverty communities.
UPSTART Program Report of FY 2016
UPSTART helps preschoolers build strong early literacy skills, with lasting impacts for all students, including those in at-risk communities, through grades one through four. Results support the program’s effectiveness and its broader implementation for at‑risk preschoolers.
CAI in Early Literacy for African American, Economically Disadvantaged Children
Research shows that computer‑assisted instruction helps young children build early reading skills. Students using the program made greater gains than those with classroom instruction alone. Results highlight technology as a promising, effective tool for early literacy development.
Usage Matters: Longitudinal Benefits of Computer-Assisted Instruction for Early Learners
Kindergarteners with high Waterford Early Learning usage outperformed low-usage peers on a first‑grade literacy test one year after program completion. Benefits appeared across all demographic groups, highlighting the potential for sustained literacy development through computer-assisted instruction.
Utah Upstart Year 14 Results
More than 90% of UPSTART preschoolers reached proficiency by the end of Pre‑K, and many who began “needing support” met kindergarten‑ready benchmarks. Kindergarten follow‑up data showed former participants continued to perform strongly, demonstrating effective implementation and sustained early literacy and numeracy outcomes.