Jumpstart’s vision is that every child in America enters kindergarten prepared to succeed. In service of this vision, Jumpstart has been working to achieve several goals, including 1) creating enriched learning environments where children from underserved neighborhoods are supported in the development of language, literacy, and social-emotional skills, and 2) supporting the development of an early learning workforce. Each year, the Research and Evaluation department evaluates Jumpstart’s progress toward these goals by analyzing both child participant and adult volunteer (i.e., member) outcomes.

During the 2017-2018 program year, a total of 13,035 preschool children were served by 4,054 members. Of the 13,035 children, 9,407 were served through traditional programming, 2,195 through a pilot or other innovative program,ⁱ and 1,433 through summer programming.ⁱⁱ

While a variety of implementation models exist, the essential element of Jumpstart’s program remains constant—a caring, dedicated adult (i.e., college student or older adult) who forms nurturing relationships that encourage children to thrive. These adults, called “members,” are trained to use effective strategies and a research-based curriculum that engages preschool-aged children in purposeful interactions and group activities aimed at building the children’s language, literacy, and social-emotional skills. Jumpstart members reduce the in-classroom child-to-adult ratio, allowing children to benefit from a more intensive and individualized learning experience.

Of the 4,054 members providing service during the 2017-2018 program year, 139 did so through summer programs.ⁱⁱⁱ Of the remaining 3,915 providing service during the school year, 151 were older adults serving as community members, and 80 were teachers participating in the Arizona Workforce Development Program. Sixty-six college students participated through San Francisco State University’s Workforce Development Program, 10 through the New York Extended Day Program, and 3,608 through traditional school-year programs.

Similar to last year, Research and Evaluation presents 2017-2018 findings as a collection of mini-reports. This format allows for more in-depth analyses of the outcomes of children participating in different types of programming. You can view the mini-reports below.