This invention provides methods, compositions and kits for rapid determination of the delivery of exogenous agents both in vitro and in vivo, including without limitation siRNA, microRNA, a ribozyme or an antisense molecule, any of which may target, bind to, or inactivate the mRNA of the gene of interest expressed in the cells. The methods, compositions and kits utilize a promoter-reporter construct whereby successful non-viral nucleic acid delivery leads to an up-regulation of reporter signals thus providing a quantitative, sensitive and rapid means of detection, validation and monitoring.