Enhancing data collection and analysis through UNICEF's Foundational Learning Module

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

Proposal

This presentation focuses on the recent enhancements to UNICEF’s Foundational Learning Module, a key tool for generating robust data on early childhood education and learning outcomes. Since its launch in 2016, the module has been implemented in over 50 countries, serving as a critical resource for assessing foundational skills among young learners. Since 2021, UNICEF has been revising the module to expand its content coverage, improve sampling and administration protocols, and ensure alignment with global best practices.

The revision process is guided by a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) comprising experts from diverse fields—researchers, psychometricians, learning assessment specialists, and economists. The presentation will provide an in-depth discussion of these enhancements, particularly focusing on the collaborative effort in Kenya, where the module was field-tested in partnership with the National Statistical Office, the Ministry of Education, and Kenya’s Learning Assessment Agency. Key findings from item analysis and reliability assessments will be shared, along with insights into the broader analytical plan that guides the continued development and deployment of the module.

The presentation will also highlight the expanded content and revised standards for administration, offering a comprehensive overview of the module's new capabilities and potential applications. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how this data can be used in future research and how the module can be integrated into other national surveys.

By detailing the evolution of the Foundational Learning Module, this presentation aims to equip participants with knowledge about its enhanced features and applications, contributing to improved educational assessments and data-driven policy-making worldwide.

Author

• Sakshi Mishra, UNICEF