Early Grade Reading and Mathematics Initiative (RAMP) Time-on-Task Study Report
The Time on Task study was completed as part of the USAID Jordan Reading and Mathematics Project (RAMP), RAMP was a 7-year project aimed at improving foundational learning skills. The time on task study aims to understand how time is allocated throughout the school day, how that time is used to teach various subjects, and the effectiveness of instructional approaches used to teach Arabic. The study examined grades 1-3 classrooms in schools that were selected as high-growth and low-growth schools based on the results of the 2019 RAMP endline survey. In high-growth schools, students demonstrated growth in reading skills based on reading comprehension and zero scores. Conversely, in low-growth schools where there was a decline in reading comprehension and/or an increase in zero scores. The sample included a total of 34 schools: 16 high-growth schools and 18 low-growth schools.
The study utilized classroom observations, teacher and principal interviews, and innovative instructional methods to identify teaching strategies associated with higher student engagement and better learning outcomes. The time on task study took place between October 2022 and March 2023. The results show that while there are existing good practices in terms of effective Arabic instructional pedagogies in early-grade classrooms, there remains a need for adjustments to diversify and expand teachers’ pedagogical skills, along with increasing opportunities for students to engage in reading and writing. Teachers need to provide effective reading instruction that aligns with students' developmental progression of skills incorporating diverse materials and extending Arabic lesson time. Additionally, teachers should design high-quality tasks that foster better understanding and learning.
The study was undertaken to inform Arabic literacy instruction and decisions that can be made by Jordan's Ministry of Education (MoE) decision-makers.