For the second year, South Dakota families can prepare their children for kindergarten at home, at no cost. South Dakota is one of five states without a state funded early education option, so the United States Department of Education awarded the nonprofit organization Waterford.org an Education Innovation and Research Expansion Grant to see if Waterford Upstart could be a solution for South Dakota families.
“This is a unique opportunity. Parents will be able to get their children ready for kindergarten at home using the Waterford Upstart program,” said Rob Monson, Executive Director of School Administrators of South Dakota. “When parents are given the tools and knowledge to support their children, everyone wins. Every parent is empowered as their child’s first teacher right in the home.”
Waterford Upstart is an in-home, early education program that prepares 4-year-old children for kindergarten during the year before they start school. Families are given the tools they need to be their child’s first and most influential teachers, including a computer and internet at no cost. The program provides positive parent-child interactions while delivering personalized, online instruction that is fun and engaging for 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Families are also supported by a family coach and given tips to continue engaging their children offline. On average, 92% of children who participate in Waterford Upstart are ready for kindergarten—compared to a 65% average nationwide and 48% for low-income children.
Early results show South Dakota children who graduated from Waterford Upstart last month saw great improvement. Through the first 26 weeks of the 2020–2021 pilot program, the average overall reading score for students was 83.25. A score of 80 or higher within the Waterford Early Reading Program represents mastery. Additionally, 89.5% of students taking part in Waterford Upstart’s Early Math and Science program had an overall math and science score of 80 or higher.
“We are excited to partner with education leaders across South Dakota for a second year to provide Waterford Upstart to the state’s earliest learners. During this unusual year, Waterford Upstart has proven to be not only effective in educating our youngest learners, but also a necessity for many families,” said Claudia Miner, Waterford Upstart executive director and cofounder. “With Waterford Upstart, South Dakota families gain the confidence of becoming their child’s first teacher and they know their children will walk into their first day of kindergarten ready to learn.”
Families who have children heading into kindergarten in 2022 can apply by going to www.waterfordupstart.org. Spots are limited.
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