Daisy Quest
Local governments can invest in this strategy using State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
- This strategy can help address educational disparities. The U.S. Department of Treasury has indicated that strategies that help achieve this outcome are eligible for the use of Fiscal Recovery Funds.
Investments in this strategy are SLFRF-eligible as long as they are made in qualified census tracts or are designed to assist populations or communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
Program basics
- Interactive, computer-based program intended for children age 3–7
- Focused on phonological awareness and processing
- Teaches children to recognize words that rhyme, words with similar sounds, syllables, etc.
- Instruction is framed in a fairy-tale story line
Strength of evidence
Evidence level: Strong (second-highest tier)
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Strong (second-highest tier)
Ranked as having the second-highest level of evidence by the U.S Department of Education What Works Clearinghouse
Target population
Preschool-aged children
Program cost
Approximately $60 per software bundle (2006); $2.99 as an iOS app
Implementation locations
- Nationwide
Dates active
First developed in 1992
Outcomes and impact
- Positive effects on oral language, print knowledge, and phonological processing
- No discernible effect on cognition and math skills
- Oral language skills improved by an average of 12 percentile points
- Print language skills improved by an average of 15 percentile points
- Phonological processing improved by an average of 12 percentile points
Keys to successful implementation
- Note: This section is under review
- Curriculum must be delivered with fidelity in order to achieve positive outcomes.
- Teachers must be provided with ample professional development opportunities to master curriculum and should be evaluated regularly to ensure that model is delivered with fidelity.
