Is your program actually working? Focusing on implementation quality to improve learning

• In Event: Scaling and systems change in international education development: perspectives of funders and implementers (Part 1)

Proposal

Despite the shockingly low levels of learning outcomes in low- and middle-income countries, approaches like structured pedagogy and teaching at the right level (TaRL) have successfully improved learning at scale across a number of contexts (GEEAP, 2023). The evidence base on these approaches has been bolstered by rigorous evaluations, which are crucial, yet implementing successful programs at scale also means having more frequent feedback on what is happening on the ground, and implementers and governments need to be nimble enough to respond to this data. Understanding the quality of implementation, and what is happening in classrooms, is essential: for example, were the books delivered on time? Are teachers using the teacher guides? Are coaches observing lessons, and directing their attention to the quality of instruction? These types of questions are much easier to answer in small, pilot programs run by highly motivated NGOs, but the real test of success is being able to maintain this approach when working across many schools. More attention in the sector has been shifting towards this type of implementation research, and we have funded partners like uBoraBora and the What Works Hub for Global Education to support this effort. Delivering improved literacy and numeracy at scale also means working with and through government systems. However, we still know far too little about how to support governments to implement and sustain successful foundational learning programs. The role that philanthropy can play in this space includes supporting partners who can generate evidence, develop innovative tools, and provide technical assistance, that can inform government scale-up efforts in foundational literacy and numeracy. Several of our partners at the country level are working with governments to support the execution of ambitious foundational literacy and numeracy programs, for example, ARED in Senegal and Funda Wande in the Western Cape province, South Africa.

Author

• Benjamin Piper, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation