Early Grade Reading and Mathematics Initiative (RAMP) The Decodable Levelled Reading Books Study Report

The Decodable Levelled Reading Books Study Report- Jordan/RAMP Discover the Power of Decodable Books: Bridging the Reading Gap in Jordan's Education System Introducing the groundbreaking Reading and Mathematics Program (RAMP), a USAID-funded initiative with a mission to transform early-grade education in Jordan's government primary schools. It addresses the need for enhanced foundational abilities in reading and math among early-grade students, particularly those facing challenges. The program emerged from a 2019 survey indicating that while national scores improved, struggling students, especially those in refugee camps, did not progress as desired. The survey underscored the need for tailored reading materials to master phonics, crucial for fluency and comprehension. Consequently, RAMP analyzed Arabic reading textbooks and identified gaps, primarily in grade 2, prompting the introduction of decodable leveled reading books. The study's central objective is to gauge the effectiveness of these books in classrooms. Designed to bolster phonics skills, they aim to bridge proficiency gaps among different-performing students. The literature review discusses decodable and leveled reading books, highlighting their benefits. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, using pre-tests, post-tests, and questionnaires to measure changes in reading fluency, comprehension, and perceptions. The results showed a significant improvement in first-grade emergent readers using decodable books, while struggling third-grade readers exhibited enhanced oral reading proficiency. Second-grade results were less clear. Students reported increased interest and faced challenges, underscoring the need for tailored resources. Teachers largely endorsed the books and recommended wider implementation. In conclusion, the study seeks to advance the "all children reading" goal by enhancing foundational skills for struggling students.

Jordan reflective approach builds a more resilient education system [CIES 2023 Presentation]

The USAID-FCDO Jordan Early Grades Reading & Mathematics Initiative (RAMP) started in 2015 with the goal to improve Kg-Gr.3 students reading and mathematics skills through improving curriculum system coherency, teacher professional development and coaching, increasing parental involvement, and improving standards, evaluation, monitoring, and accountability systems. The presentation is about how RAMP built a resilient MOE early grades system that could mitigate the learning loss caused after the school closure as a measure of the spread of COVID-19. It was notable the early grades school system was more resilient than the upper levels, administrators and teachers were more ready to cope with a new context where children reading and mathematics skills were varying widely: the MOE was able to rapidly implement a national survey (EGRA/EGMA) to measure learning losses and design a remedial program; teachers were able to use diagnostic assessment tools and identified individual students actual learning needs; teachers were familiar with differentiated instruction and remedial strategies for vulnerable children; and a system was already in place to regularly coach teachers in under-served schools/areas.

Mathematics Teacher Guide

A teacher's guide for mathematics instruction in the context of Jordan, developed by the Jordanian Ministry of Education.

Early Grade Reading and Mathematics Initiative: KG Data for Decision-Making: Phase II National Survey of Families

The Kingdom of Jordan’s Human Resource Development (HRD) Strategy mandates the universal provision of kindergarten (KG2) by 2025. The HRD Strategy emphasizes using partnerships between the Ministry of Education (MoE) and other governmental and nongovernmental actors to assure expanded provision of kindergarten services. The strategy further emphasizes the need to improve the quality of kindergarten services, while reaching every child. To fully understand how the MoE can increase access, improve quality, and assure equitable provision of KG1 services, more accurate information is needed, especially about other, as yet unrecognized service providers who may be offering KG or KG-similar services to five-year-old children. The MoE needs a more complete picture of the current provision of KG2 to determine the best strategy to achieve the HRD goal that every child in Jordan receives a high-quality kindergarten experience.

Jordan Early Grade Reading and Mathematics Initiative (RAMP) Endline Survey Report

This report presents the findings of the Jordan Early Grade Reading and Mathematics Initiative (RAMP) endline survey conducted at the end of the 2018–2019 school year (in May 2019).

Jordan Kindergarten Data for Decision Making

This report presents findings of a national survey of parents regarding enrollment in preprimary education (kindergarten) in Jordan. The findings are surprising because they suggest that the real enrollment rate is significantly higher than what government statistics indicate. The discrepancy seems to be due to a high level of kindergarten provision from private sector and civil society actors who are not licensed by the Ministry of Education.

Jordan RAMP initiative midline survey- CIES 2018 presentation

Jordan RAMP, funded by USAID and UKAID, is a nationwide initiative of the Jordanian Ministry of Education (MoE) designed to improve the reading and mathematics skills of students in kindergarten 2 through grade 3 (K2–G3). RAMP, which is being carried out over five years (2015 to 2019), expects to deliver improved reading and mathematics instruction to all public school students in Jordan in grades K2–G3—about 400,000 students. This CIES 2018 presentation, given by Aarnout Brombacher, Senior Technical Advisor on the RAMP initiative, shares findings from the midline study of the project, which was conducted at the end of the 2016–2017 academic year (May 2017). The study included the EGRA and EGMA assessments as well as a range of teacher and pupil questionnaires.

How problem solving is being implemented by RAMP trained teachers- CIES 2018 presentation

This CIES 2018 presentation is an overview of findings from classroom observations of teachers implementing the Jordan RAMP initiative problem-solving technique in teaching early grade mathematics. The presentation was given by Aarnout Brombacher, RTI's Senior Technical Advisor for the Jordan RAMP initiative.

Significant improvements recorded in early grade students' performance

The following article from the Jordan Times describes positive results of the USAID and DFID co-funded RAMP program implemented by RTI in Jordan.

Policy Brief on the National Early Grade Literacy and Numeracy Survey in Jordan: 2014/2015 Remedial Pilot Research Activity

This brief discusses Jordan's remedial pilot research program which was designed to assist teachers in improving the performance of those children who had fallen behind the general performance level of the rest of the class. The program focused on Arabic reading and mathematics in grades 1, 2, and 3. The rationale of the program is that children who are not performing at the general level of the class can benefit from additional instructional support that is aimed at their individual level of learning.

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