About 90% of UPSTART preschoolers reached proficiency by the end of PreK, and most who began “needing support” improved to kindergarten‑ready levels. Kindergarten follow‑up data showed former participants continued to demonstrate strong skills, indicating lasting benefits from early participation.
Study Focus: Home-Based
Utah Upstart Year 16 Results
UPSTART’s sixteenth year showed continued literacy impacts: PreK participants scored significantly higher than non‑participants, with the highest‑use students achieving the greatest outcomes. UPSTART participants demonstrated stronger kindergarten reading and math scores compared to their peers who did not participate in PreK. Findings show consistent participation is key to strong early‑literacy success.
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.
Using CAI to Fidelity to Combat Learning Loss in Early Learners
Children who had high usage of Waterford’s computer‑assisted summer reading program before kindergarten scored higher in early literacy than low‑usage peers. This held across income, language, gender, and preschool experience. Consistent use of computer‑assisted instruction can help prevent summer learning loss for young children.