Your child will take WACS three times during the participation of the UPSTART program. The first time your child takes WACS it will be at a central location under the direction of Waterford staff at the same time you are receiving program training. If you are unable to attend one of these sessions, Waterford staff will contact you to help you administer the test for the first time.

You will administer WACS the second and third times. We will contact you when it is time to give the test. A training video is available on the UPSTART Web site to help you, and you can also contact User Support at 1–800–669–4533 for help.

WACS can take up to three twenty-minute sessions to complete. The test questions adapt to your child’s performance. As your child answers correctly, the test becomes more difficult. It is OK if your child guesses or gets answers wrong. Please do not guide your child to the correct answer, as this can extend the length of the test and make it more difficult.

A deputy badge will appear on the screen when WACS is successfully completed. If you see a stop sign, this means your child needs a break and should continue the test later.

Your computer’s firewall is preventing WACS from communicating with our servers. Please call User Support at 1–800–669–4533 to resolve this issue.

Yes. If you received an UPSTART USB drive and would like to keep it you may purchase both the drive and the programs. There are two options:

Option 1: $490—This includes the price of your drive ($130) and a 12-month subscription ($360) which includes program updates and continued access to UPSTART’s expert support team.

Option 2: $580—This includes the price of your drive ($130) and a lifetime subscription ($450) which includes program updates and continued access to UPSTART’s expert support team.

If you are interested in either of these options, simply call 1–800–767–9976 and use your credit card to purchase continuing access to the program!

The drive you purchase will need to be replaced in the UPSTART program inventory so that others may use the program.

Yes. The 12-month subscription can be renewed.

Yes. If you received a computer from UPSTART and would like to keep it you may purchase both the computer and the programs. There are two options:

Option 1: $910*—This includes the price of your computer ($550) and a 12-month subscription ($360) which includes program updates and continued access to UPSTART’s expert support team.

Option 2: $1,000*—This includes the price of your computer ($550) and a lifetime subscription ($450) which includes program updates and continued access to UPSTART’s expert support team.

If you are interested in either of these options, simply call 1-800-767-9976 and use your credit card to purchase continuing access to the program!

* PLEASE NOTE: This price does not include internet access. You will be responsible for the cost of your internet service. If you received free Internet access from UPSTART, it will end when your child enters kindergarten.

The computer you purchase will need to be replaced in the UPSTART program inventory so that others may use the program.

Your account has already been created for you. Do not click the Register button in WACS. Your username is the e-mail address you provided over the phone, and your password is the serial number included with your Start-up Kit. To log in to WACS, enter your username and password and click Enter.

Your account has already been created for you. Do not click the Register button in WACS. Your username is the e-mail address you provided over the phone, and your password is the serial number included with your Start-up Kit. To log in to WACS, enter your username and password and click Enter.

If your e-mail address/username remains invalid, double-check the spelling. If you still cannot log in, call User Support at 1–800–669–4533.

Your unique password is case–sensitive. Enter your password exactly as printed. If your password still is not accepted, click on the Forgot your password? link and a new password will immediately be sent to the e–mail address we have on file. For additional help call User Support at 1–800–669–4533.

If your e-mail address or child’s name is incorrect, please call User Support at 1–800–669–4533 so we can update your information on all our records.

If Rusty and Rosy Learn with Me does not run automatically, open My Computer and double-click the Rusty & Rosy Learn with Me icon to launch the program.

This is a firewall issue. Please call User Support at 1–800–669–4533 for help with this problem.

The green icon is for WACS. Your child will take WACS at the beginning, middle, and end of your participation in UPSTART. Results of this test will help track your child’s progress.

The Rusty and Rosy Learn with Me icon opens the preschool program your child must use for at least 15 minutes a day, 5 days per week. It automatically progresses through lessons, picking up each day where your child left off the day before.

The Rusty and Rosy Manager icon is an optional feature where you can find extra resources, view your child’s progress, and adjust settings, such as whether or not your child can print. We have optimized your child’s curriculum for preschool. Please call User Support at 1–800–660–4533 before making adjustments to your child’s curriculum.

Children who are 4 or 5 years old are eligible. The child must reside in Utah and must not have entered kindergarten.

Participants must have a computer that meets the minimum program specifications. If you do not have a computer please contact us to see if you qualify for the use of a computer.

Participants must agree to use the program at least 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week.

Yes. Home schooling families are eligible to participate. Preschoolers who are home schooled will end participation when the preschool child would normally enter public kindergarten.

Yes.

Your 4 and 5 year olds (who have not entered kindergarten) are eligible to participate in UPSTART. Your start–up kit will arrive ready for them to begin using the program 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Your other children–up to five of them—are also welcome to enjoy and learn from the program, but they will not be official UPSTART participants. You will need to go into the parent manager and set up individual accounts for each child. If you need help with this, call User Support.

Participation is very simple. Every participant agrees to use the program at least 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week. We encourage participants to set a regular schedule such as when younger siblings are napping or older siblings are doing homework. Although the program is a lot of fun, your 4– or 5–year–old may choose to assert his or her independence by saying, “Not today.” To help, we offer convenient training with strategies to establish and keep to your schedule.

You will also be directed to administer a computer–based reading test called Waterford Assessments of Core Skills™ to your child. Administering the test is simple, and we will guide you through the process if you need help. The test will help you see your child’s learning progress.

Participants should begin using the program within a day or two of receiving their start–up kit. All families should continue using the program consistently until their child enters kindergarten.

Participants should begin using the program within a day or two of receiving their start-up materials. It is expected that participants will begin using the program within a day or two of receiving their start–up materials.

If you move out of state you are no longer eligible to participate in UPSTART. Please contact Support at 1–800–669–4533 to arrange for the return of your UPSTART materials.

If for whatever reason you cannot meet the program requirements please contact Support at 1–800–669–4533. You will be asked to fill out an exit form and return all UPSTART materials to us.

Yes. UPSTART is a computer–based preschool program. Your computer will need to meet minimum specifications, and you must have high–speed Internet.

Please contact us at 1–800–699–4533 if you would like to participate and you do not have a computer. A limited number of participants may qualify for the use of a computer during the UPSTART program.

WINDOWS
Windows Vista®, Windows XP operating system with:

• Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 1.6GHz or faster
• 1GB RAM
• 16MB video card
• Available USB 2.0 port
• On-board or PCI sound card
• High-speed Internet connection

MACINTOSH
Macintosh® OS X® 10.4 or 10.5 operating system with:

• 1.6GHz Intel Core™ Duo Processor
• 1GB RAM
• 16MB VRAM
• Available USB 2.0 port
• High-speed Internet connection

Please contact Support at 1–800–669–4533 if you would like to participate and you do not have a computer. A limited number of participants may qualify for the use of a computer during the UPSTART program.

Rusty and Rosy Learn with Me does not require you to be computer savvy. It is very easy to set up and use. User Support is also available at 1–800–669–4533 to help you with any problem that may arise.

Generally, the answer is no. If your computer meets UPSTART specifications, you should be ready to go. However, you may want to consider purchasing a small, notebook–sized mouse. Often, it is difficult for little hands to move the cursor to the target on the screen and click smoothly with an adult–sized mouse. Also consider putting a sticker on the correct (or left) button of the mouse, so your child will know exactly where to press. You may also want to use speakers with an external volume control. The program does not allow your child to change the volume while using the software. A printer is optional, but it will allow your child to print certificates and worksheets from the program. Finally, you may want to consider purchasing headphones for your child to prevent distractions.

This program does not run through a browser, so it is very unlikely that your child will access inappropriate material on the Internet. In fact, while your child works on the program, the screen is completely locked to only display the program. Your child cannot access your system controls or any other software on your computer.

Your child will be working primarily on Rusty and Rosy Learn with Me™—a home version of Waterford’s award–winning learning system with complete instruction in beginning reading, math, and science.

Your child will also use Waterford Assessments of Core Skills™ as an measure of your child’s progress.

No. Rusty and Rosy Learn with Me is so media rich that it would take 85 CDs to hold the contents. Instead, the program comes loaded on a USB hard drive that you simply plug and play.

UPSTART is a Utah state–funded, computer–based preschool program. Participating children use the program for 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week.

The Utah legislature provided the funds for this program as a way to help Utah’s children better prepare for kindergarten.

Rusty and Rosy Learn with Me is designed for very young children. It uses large buttons, obvious directions, and support that help children progress. Most children can use the program independently within 20 minutes of starting it.

Most children can use the program independently within 20 minutes of starting it. Encourage your child to work independently, and don’t worry if he or she makes mistakes. When your child gets an answer wrong, the computer program follows up later with activities and games to teach the skill again so your child can get it right next time.

While your child isn’t likely to need help working on the computer, he or she will need your encouragement to get started every day. Although the program is a lot of fun, your four–year–old may choose to assert his or her independence by saying, “Not today.” Your enthusiasm and follow through are an important part of the program. And when you need ideas, User Support is here to help at 1–800–669–4533.

Rusty and Rosy Learn with Me includes a full curriculum. Each child moves through the lessons at his or her own pace. Each day your child will see reading first and then move into math and science. Here are some skills that your preschooler will learn.

The program includes simple reports that are available any time. Reports include recommendations of activities preschoolers can do with parents to continue the learning away from the computer.

Your child will also participate in a simple, computer—based reading test at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of his or her participation. Reports are available immediately after the test is complete.

We know you will be interested in how well your child is doing, and these reports will provide you with the information you need. You can also contact User Support at 1–800–669–4533 anytime for help accessing and using reports.

Yes. Your child can print some materials directly from the program if you select to allow printing. In addition, on the Internet you can access a vast library of coloring sheets, worksheets, cards, and games to print anytime.

Your start–up kit will also include printed materials to help you to make the most of your time in UPSTART. If you want more tips and tricks, convenient training, or User Support call us at 1–800–669–4533. Our team is available to provide ideas on how to use these extra materials.

UPSTART is an at–home program that prepares children academically for kindergarten. Because families are best at teaching social, ethical, and moral values, we encourage participants to find other ways to help their preschoolers prepare for school socially.