In early childhood education, screeners play a crucial role; they act as the first signal that a child may need extra support in specific areas. By design, screeners are efficient tools that help teachers identify when a closer look or intervention may be necessary. But while screeners are valuable for signaling concern, they do not tell the full story of a child’s learning journey on their own.
That’s where Ignite by Hatch™ comes in.
Ignite’s progress monitoring platform complements a screener’s flagging system by providing educators with a comprehensive roadmap of each child’s developing skills through the Insights™ dashboard. Through ongoing, purposeful practice within Ignite, children are given the opportunity to persist and strengthen key abilities over time, while teachers are continuously supported with actionable insights that guide intervention and instruction.
As such, while a screener signals that a child may be at risk, more often than not, it cannot diagnose the precise nature or depth of that risk. This is precisely why the reports in an educator's Insights dashboard based on children's play within the Ignite platform are essential for uncovering the full picture and providing instructional guidance for teachers and interventionists.
The Evidence Behind Ignite
Ignite is not only built on a strong theoretical foundation, but its design and outcomes are grounded in a rich body of research and validated through ESSA Tier 3 evidence standards. This evidence-based foundation underscores why it is necessary to pair screeners with Ignite, especially when other tools being used lack the same level of empirical support.
As legislation continues to guide districts and early learning programs toward implementing evidence-based solutions, Ignite stands out as a trusted, research-backed layer that ensures every child’s data leads to meaningful action.
Putting Research into Practice
For administrators and educators seeking guidance on how to select and integrate evidence-based tools, the SETDA EdTech Quality Action Toolkit is a valuable resource. Ignite is strongly aligned with the principles in this toolkit, making it an effective choice for schools and centers prioritizing quality, evidence-driven instruction.
When used together, screeners and Ignite create a powerful ecosystem: one that identifies early risks, monitors meaningful progress, and empowers educators to respond with precision and confidence—ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.