ERIC Number: ED670975
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Nov
Pages: 97
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: 0000-00-00
How Much Can We Remedy Very Low Learning Levels in Rural Parts of Low-Income Countries? Impact and Generalizability of a Multi-pronged Para-Teacher Intervention from a Cluster-randomized Trial in The Gambia. EdWorkingPaper No. 19-157
Alex Eble; Chris Frost; Alpha Camara; Baboucarr Bouy; Momodou Bah; Maitri Sivaraman; Jenny Hsieh; Chitra Jayanty; Tony Brady; Piotr Gawron; Peter Boone; Diana Elbourne
Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University
Despite large schooling and learning gains in many developing countries, children in highly deprived areas are often unlikely to achieve even basic literacy and numeracy. We study how much of this problem can be resolved using a multi-pronged intervention combining several distinct interventions known to be effective in isolation. We conducted a cluster-randomized trial in The Gambia evaluating a literacy and numeracy intervention designed for primary-aged children in remote parts of poor countries. The intervention combines para teachers delivering after-school supplementary classes, scripted lesson plans, and frequent monitoring focusing on improving teacher practice (coaching). A similar intervention previously demonstrated large learning gains in a cluster-randomized trial in rural India. After three academic years, Gambian children receiving the intervention scored 46 percentage points (3.2 SD) better on a combined literacy and numeracy test than control children. This intervention holds great promise to address low learning levels in other poor, remote settings. [Funding for this study was provided by Effective Intervention, a UK-registered charity.]
Descriptors: Rural Areas, Intervention, Foreign Countries, Literacy, Numeracy, Developing Nations, Geographic Isolation, Elementary School Students, After School Programs, Poverty, Supplementary Education, Achievement Gap, Paraprofessional Personnel
Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. Brown University Box 1985, Providence, RI 02912. Tel: 401-863-7990; Fax: 401-863-1290; e-mail: annenberg@brown.edu; Web site: https://annenberg.brown.edu/
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University
Identifiers - Location: Gambia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A