Apply now for early education program

For a second year, families across Wyoming can prepare their children for kindergarten at home, at no cost, thanks to a $14.2 million federal grant. The United States Department of Education awarded the nonprofit organization Waterford.org an Education Innovation and Research Expansion Grant with the goal of bridging the early learning gap for rural preschool-aged children through the Waterford UPSTART program, according to a Feb. 6 release from Waterford.
In Wyoming, one of the most common challenges is the rural nature of the state. Wyoming is the least populated state, with an average of six people per square mile, the release states. Many portions of Wyoming are considered not just rural, but “frontier.” In fact, there are still three “one-room” classroom schools and nine “two-room” classroom schools in the state.
“Many families prosper in rural and remote areas where accessing quality early learning programs is difficult,” said Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow. “Small communities may not offer early learning programs, low-income or otherwise, which causes inequity in education opportunities. Waterford UPSTART addresses the equity issue by offering personalized, high-quality, parent-guided early education in the home. The Waterford UPSTART program does not depend on a bureaucracy—it’s at the community level.”    
Waterford.org was awarded the EIR expansion grant after successfully serving rural families in Utah. 
“We’re grateful to be recognized for the important work we’ve been doing in Utah for a decade,” said Benjamin Heuston, CEO of Waterford.org. “Across the country, some 2.2 million 4-year-olds lack access to early education, and we’re eager to put this grant to use helping students in five more states prepare for a successful academic career, no matter their location or socioeconomic background.” 
The pilots are enrolling for year two in Wyoming, North Dakota, and Idaho. South Dakota and Montana are also now enrolling for 2020. For more information or to apply, go to waterfordupstart.org. Spots are limited and enrollment ends June 22. Rural restrictions apply.
Find out more about Waterford and the UPSTART program at waterford.org.