The annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association in Chicago will feature groundbreaking research that could mean big changes for children entering kindergarten, including those in Chatham County.
Waterford.org Vice President of Research and Chief Scientist Haya Shamir will present results from a new summer program during the April conference, scheduled for this week.
Improved early learning opportunities could be a game changer for literacy rates across the country, Shamir said. A summer learning program being tested in states across the nation is showing strong results. Research from early education nonprofit Waterford.org is showing that involving families and providing equitable access to personalized learning could be a game changer for literacy rates. That research is being revealed publicly for the first time at this conference.
“Educators nationwide are seeking solutions that position children across all demographics for success in school,” according to Waterford. “Results from a multistate Waterford.org study show meaningful gains among Summer Learning Path participants.”
Chatham County Schools uses Waterford resources.
How it works: Summer Learning Path is flexible, done in the home and provides children and caregivers with resources including a computer, internet access and coaching. The program provides personalized online curriculum in reading, math and science done in just minutes a day, while also supporting families with offline, interactive activities. Waterford.org secures funding that allows families to receive those resources at no financial cost.
During a summer 2022 randomized controlled trial including mostly rural students in South Dakota and Wyoming, children who participated in Summer Learning Path performed better on a math assessment than their peers who did not use the program to prepare for kindergarten.
During a 2020-22 randomized controlled trial including multi-language learners in Nevada, children who participated in Waterford Upstart performed better on a math assessment than their peers at both the beginning and end of kindergarten (a year after program completion).
Addressing resource gaps with research-based, educational technology helps families overcome early education barriers including both proximity to and the ability to afford placement in child care centers.