Committee hears bill to create statewide kindergarten literacy readiness program; Waterford Upstart proponents testify

Representative Mark Pearson introduced HB 671 on the committee floor as a framework to establish a kindergarten literacy readiness program statewide and to mandate reporting on whether the program improves kindergarten readiness.

Pearson said the bill is “in some ways a placeholder because it appropriates a dollar,” adding that the appropriation signals intent while program details are worked out: “Should the details seem wise to the governor and executive council, they would then proceed to fund it with whatever monies are available as they choose.”

Waterford.org representatives and their local counsel described an existing home‑based model, Waterford UPSTART, that they said has shown measurable reading gains in New Hampshire pilots. Rob Riley, senior director of community engagement at Waterford.org, told the committee: “Our flagship initiative, Waterford Upstart, is a home based early education program that equips children with foundational literacy, numeracy, and socio‑emotional skills.” He said the program includes family coaching, multilingual supports, and, when needed, devices and internet access provided to families.

Theresa Rosenberger of Bernstein Shore Law Firm described Waterford’s Nashua pilot and a subsequent UNH‑administered $1.5 million grant that scaled the program statewide until the grant funding lapsed. Rosenberger said the program provided tablets, paid Internet access for families with connectivity gaps, and a coach model that monitors and adjusts a child’s curriculum.

Committee members pressed proponents for specifics. Representative Regrethen Selleck, a former kindergarten teacher, asked how the program would operate alongside play‑based preschool and in‑class formative assessment; Pearson and Waterford witnesses said the program was intended to “compliment” existing classroom practice and to be targeted where gaps exist. Representative Murray asked whether “tier 1 benchmarks” referenced in the draft meant Response to Intervention benchmarks; the sponsor said he did not have that level of detail yet.

Waterford representatives said the program offers multilingual coaching and uses an adaptive curriculum of 15–30 minutes a day; Riley said New Hampshire participants in 2023–24 numbered just over 300 and that “many participants finish the program with skills at or above the kindergarten readiness benchmark.” Rosenberger and Riley described translation services that cover more than 100 languages when needed.

No formal action was taken. The committee heard proponent testimony, raised questions about vendor selection, nonprofit language in the draft, how homeschooled children would participate, and how children with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) would be handled. Waterford representatives said they would work with districts and families on IEP coordination if necessary.

The hearing record includes requests from committee members for more detail on identified programs, on whether a nonprofit restriction in the draft is necessary, and for documentation of outcomes and cost estimates. Sponsors and proponents said they view HB 671 as a step to create legal authority for a program that can then be funded when monies are available.