Preparing Students for Kindergarten Using UPSTART

This report presents the findings of a study on the UPSTART program, an in-home preschool initiative designed to enhance early reading skills among children. The program employs computer-assisted instruction (CAI) to deliver a personalized reading curriculum, encouraging parents to engage their children for fifteen minutes daily, five days a week. Over seven years, data was collected to evaluate the program's effectiveness, revealing that participants significantly outperformed control groups in various reading subskills, regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds. The report discusses the challenges of early reading instruction in the U.S., highlighting the need for innovative solutions like UPSTART, especially in light of the high costs associated with traditional preschool programs. The findings indicate that home-based learning, supported by technology, can provide substantial educational benefits, particularly for at-risk children. The report concludes with evidence supporting the effectiveness of the Waterford Early Learning software used in UPSTART, demonstrating its positive impact on literacy development.