SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Mexican Consulate’s endorsement of UPSTART helped triple the number of Spanish-speakers in Utah’s state-wide school readiness program for four-year-olds, according to Waterford Institute, a nonprofit research center that runs the program.
Isaac Troyo, director of training and outreach for UPSTART, recently thanked Cónsul Eduardo Arnal Palomera, former Cónsul of the Consulate of Mexico in Salt Lake City, for his public endorsement.
Arnal, who served in the post from 2013 until March of this year, was instrumental in spreading awareness of UPSTART among Spanish-speaking families in Utah, Troyo said. Arnal appeared on Univison and Telemundo news last year supporting the UPSTART program and asked families to take full advantage of the resource. He also supported UPSTART radio spots, and allowed UPSTART representatives to present to families in the consulate family waiting areas.
Troyo thanked Arnal for his efforts during a recent visit.
“Your advocacy is helping hundreds of children throughout the state get a strong start in school and set them on a path to a successful academic career,” Troyo said. “We value your relationship and we thank you for supporting early education throughout Utah.”
Arnal pledged to continue supporting UPSTART, saying, “Let’s do even more next year!”
Troyo said new projects are in the works with Arnal’s replacement, the current Cónsul of the Consulate of Mexico in Salt Lake City, Luis Enrique Franco.
UPSTART is an in-home, technology-delivered program that includes over 7,000 engaging educational activities in reading, math and science. Waterford Institute is the maker of Waterford Early Learning, which is the curriculum for UPSTART.
Participants use UPSTART for 15 minutes per day, five days per week. The adaptive program teaches essential early literacy skills at the pace and level of each individual child to prepare children for kindergarten.
UPSTART is open to everyone, but prioritizes English language learners (ELL) as well as low–income families.
Last year, approximately 58 percent of participating families were low-income. Qualifying families receive use of a free computer and free Internet during the program if they do not have access to these resources at home.
Families can pre-register now for UPSTART at www.utahupstart.org or by phone at 800-669-4533.
About Waterford Institute
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Waterford Institute is a nonprofit research center that creates personalized cloud-based instruction through award-winning curriculum, content and assessment for children aged pre-K to 2nd grade. As a nonprofit, Waterford is uniquely focused on providing accessibility, equity and excellence for our youngest learners to position them for a lifetime of learning and success. For more information, visit www.waterford.org or call 801-349-2200.
