Measuring the Learning Progress of All Children: A Citizen-Led Assessment

Featuring

Sara Ruto
Director, CLA International

Host

Justin Sandefur
Research Fellow, Center for Global Development

As a new set of education goals are drafted, improving quality and learning is likely to be more central to the post-2015 global development agenda. One important question to ask is – how can we measure the learning progress of all children? We believe we have the answer.

Ten years ago, citizens in India started using basic reading and arithmetic tools at home to systematically assess for themselves what their children are able to do. This citizen-led assessment model collects accurate data on the learning levels of all children through a low-cost, household-based assessment that has been adapted by nine countries across the global south. The results are made available to parents, teachers, civil society, policymakers, and others who are responsible for ensuring that all children are in school and learning. We heard from those with first-hand experience implementing this unique education model.