September 26, 2019 (Boston, MA) - MIT Solve announced the new Solver class of 32 tech entrepreneurs in New York City, including the Boston Children's Early Literacy Screener, as part of Solve's Early Childhood Development Challenge.
The Early Literacy Screener was developed by Dr. Nadine Gaab and the Innovation and Digital Health Accelerator from Boston Children's Hospital, in partnership with Yaacov Petscher from Florida State University. The Boston Children's Early Literacy Screener is a comprehensive solution supporting schools, parents and pediatricians to identify children at-risk for struggling with learning to read and to provide resources and tools to prevent the development of reading impairments such as dyslexia. It includes a digital screener for children as young as 4, that assesses literacy milestones in just 20 minutes. It is gamified, tablet-based, self-administered, and scientifically validated. The screener is coupled with a platform that provides data analytics, customized resources and coaching support to get children back on track on a path to reading at grade level.
"We shouldn't have to wait until second or third grade to discover a child is struggling with reading," said Dr. Gaab. "With this solution, we support teachers, parents, and clinicians in identifying children sooner, and providing tools and supports to intervene quickly, which science tells us yields better outcomes."
MIT Solve received almost 1,400 applications, from around the globe, targeting four Challenges: Circular Economy, Community-Drive Innovation, Early Childhood Development, and Healthy Cities. Solve Challenge Finals took place in New York City where 500 entrepreneurs, investors, and foundations gathered to hear pitches, provide feedback, and help move the solutions forward. Along with the Early Childhood Development prize and Dubai Cares award, the Early Literacy Screener was selected by InnoSpark Ventures for their work leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning. Boston Children's will be awarded $50,000 in monetary support along with networking opportunities and counsel from organizations committed to global change using innovative tools like the screener.
"The support from MIT Solve will go a long way in effective scaling and distribution of this solution so we can change the literacy trajectory for children across the country and world," said Carla Small, Executive Director of the Innovation and Digital Health Accelerator. "We're so appreciative of the support and access to this amazing ecosystem of passionate thinkers looking to humanize impact."
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About Boston Children's Hospital
Boston Children's Hospital is ranked the #1 children's hospital in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and is the primary pediatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Home to the world's largest research enterprise based at a pediatric medical center, its discoveries have benefited both children and adults since 1869. Today, more than 3,000 scientists, including 8 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 18 members of the National Academy of Medicine and 12 Howard Hughes Medical Investigators comprise Boston Children's research community. Founded as a 20-bed hospital for children, Boston Children's is now a 415-bed comprehensive center for pediatric and adolescent health care. For more, visit our Discoveries blog and follow us on social media @BostonChildrens, @BCH_Innovation, Facebook and YouTube.