Senator Sheheen stated, "I am so excited that Chesterfield County can be a part of this cutting-edge effort to give our students more opportunities. Our people deserve it! And I applaud our school district for working so hard for our kids."
Through this research-based software, along with a unique user support team, the UPSTART initiative forms a partnership with parents to ensure their children obtain the readiness skills necessary to start them on the path to success in school. The UPSTART Program Director Dr. LaTasha Hadley announced an added bonus offered to the Chesterfield County School District project. She stated that if the students adhered to the program’s expectations by logging in 5 days every week and spending 15 minutes on the program daily, they will be able to keep their computer at the end of the year. Dr. Hadley explained that Chesterfield County is one of the first districts that have been approved for this type of request.
Dr. Harrison Goodwin, Superintendent of Chesterfield County School District, remarked, “I am thankful for Senator Sheheen’s and the Education Oversight Committee’s support of Early Childhood Education in South Carolina. This initiative gives students and rural districts expanded opportunities which will pay dividends in their educational careers.”