The Foundational Learning Action Tracker (FLAT) Scorecard: monitoring progress and informing decision-making

• In Event: Accelerating foundational learning through data-driven decision making: digital solutions in action

Proposal

This presentation introduces the Foundational Learning Action Tracker (FLAT) Scorecard, a tool developed by UNICEF in collaboration with the Hempel Foundation to monitor progress toward achieving foundational learning for all children. The FLAT Scorecard offers a comprehensive, data-driven approach to assessing country-level progress by combining policy action scores from UNICEF’s pulse surveys with system effectiveness measures derived from internal monitoring, organized around the RAPID Framework.

The FLAT Scorecard provides a dual focus: evaluating both policy actions, such as the implementation of FLN interventions, and system effectiveness, including the responsiveness and capacity of national education systems. This approach fosters accountability, transparency, and evidence-based decision-making, enabling countries to identify gaps, prioritize interventions, and share best practices across regions.

Key findings from the FLAT Scorecard’s global report will be highlighted, demonstrating how countries leverage this tool to enhance FLN outcomes. For instance, in several countries, the Scorecard has been instrumental in identifying gaps in policy implementation, guiding resource allocation, and fostering collaborative learning among education stakeholders. The presentation will also explore how digital tools like the FLAT Scorecard are integrated into national monitoring systems, emphasizing the importance of data literacy among policymakers and the value of real-time feedback for adaptive management.

Challenges related to using the FLAT Scorecard will be discussed, including capacity constraints, resistance to data-driven decision-making, and the need for sustained investments in digital infrastructure. The presentation will conclude with recommendations for overcoming these barriers, such as building capacity, fostering a culture of data use, and enhancing cross-country collaboration.

By examining the successes and limitations of the FLAT Scorecard, this presentation will provide insights into how data tools can inform decision-making at international, regional, and national levels, ultimately contributing to more effective and equitable education systems.

Author

• Haogen Yao, UNICEF