Utah UPSTART Program Evaluation Year 15 Results

This report is a technical evaluation conducted by the Evaluation and Training Institute (ETI) for the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, assessing the UPSTART program in its fifteenth year. The evaluation focuses on students from Cohort 15, enrolled during the 2023-2024 program year, and includes an analysis of program implementation and achievement outcomes. The report indicates that approximately 90% of UPSTART participants achieved proficiency in literacy and numeracy by the end of the program, consistent with previous years. It also highlights that 70% of students graduated from the program, maintaining the previous year's graduation rate. The report outlines key findings related to student engagement, noting that all participants logged an average of 31 hours in the program, with graduates averaging around 40 hours. Recommendations for future program enhancements are provided, emphasizing the importance of addressing factors affecting graduation rates and promoting consistent engagement among participants.