A Global Compact on Learning: Literacy,

Systems, Scaling Up

Mobiles 4 Education 4 Development Symposium

19 August 2011

Anda Adams

Center for Universal Education

The Brookings Institution

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Significant progress…

but it is an unfinished agenda

• Tens of millions still out of school

• Progress between and within countries has been uneven

• Going to school hasn’t necessarily translated into learning

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Global Learning Crisis with 3 dimensions• Out-of-school children (never

enrolled and those who have dropped out)

• Children who are in school but not learning basic skills, such as reading and mathematics

• Children and youth who complete primary without developing relevant skills for life and work

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What Works? The evidence says…

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What do we know about improving literacy?

Maximize amount of time spent on learning, i.e. instructional time

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What do we know about improving literacy?

Train teachers in effective methods of reading instruction

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What do we know about improving literacy?

Provide appropriate level and local language reading materials to children and communities

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What approaches can strengthen education systems?

Extend ECD opportunities by providing support to parents and caregivers, including information about health and nutrition

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What approaches can strengthen education systems?

Ensure boys and girls start school at the right age by encouraging on-time entry through public policies, campaigns, tracking.

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What approaches can strengthen education systems?

Differentiate teaching practices to meet students where they are developmentally.

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What approaches can strengthen education systems?

Flexible post-primary educational opportunities, including second-chance learning

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How can we bring evidence-based programs to scale?

Collect information about learning levels with easy-to-use and easy-to-understand tools

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How can we bring evidence-based education programs to scale?

Link successful pilots to existing structures and systems to mobilize community and local government uptake

Thank you

Anda Adams

aadams@brookings.edu

Center for Universal Education | The Brookings Institution

www.brookings.edu/universal-education

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Literacy

• Maximize amount of time spent on learning

• Train teachers in effective methods of reading instruction

• Provide appropriate level and language reading materials

Systems

• Provide ECD support to parents and caregivers

• Encourage on-time entry into primary school

• Support multi-grade/differentiated approaches to teaching

Evidence Based Scale Up

• Collect information about learning levels with easy-to-use and easy to understand tools

• Link successful pilots to existing structures and systems