Model and Strategy
Research-based quality early childhood education can set children on the right path for life, preventing up to 75% of at-risk children from failing in the schools. The purpose of the project is to close the educational achievement gap by developing a scalable mobile technology that assesses school readiness and risk for poor academic outcome in early childhood, and provides strategies for educational success that are suited to each child’s strengths, weakness and needs. The innovative merger of neuroscience research and technology targets the most critical foundational skills for assessment, and provides efficient assessments that are engaging for children and meaningful for parents and teachers. Our project will shape the future of early childhood education by empowering parents, caregivers and educators with inexpensive tools that allow them to understand each and every child’s strengths and weaknesses, and corresponding best-practice strategies for promoting success.
Impact
During the project period, the app will be used in Bay Area public, charter and private schools and early childhood educational programs where we have strong collaborative relationships. We plan to develop new collaborations and expand distribution to reach the 19.5k children of ages 4-6 in SF (2020). Ultimately, we hope to leverage our network of collaborators, and our educational policy and advocacy partners to encourage adoption for ~1.5 million children throughout CA (2025), and many of the ~10 million within the US (2030). We also plan to develop international versions targeting developing countries through our membership in the UNESCO Global Literacy Initiative. Work during the award period will deliver proof-of-concept technology and validation data to support future development of 1) apps that extend beyond academics to executive function, social competencies and creativity 2) a progress monitoring app for older children 3) personalized cognitive training apps with and without wearable neuroscience tools that will promote success for every child. Our results will provide a highly competitive basis for federal, and philanthropic research and tech transfer funding.
Leadership
-
Fumiko Hoeft MD PhD
Director