BEC Co-Hosts Meet the Authors Panel at Global Reading Network
Above: Authors Mary Sugrue and Deepa Srikantaiah, and Rebecca Rhodes (USAID)
On Friday, April 12th, 2019 The Global Reading Network and the Basic Education Coalition co-hosted a meeting to explore how best to distribute resources across education program components and across literacy and mathematics, to assure appropriate school support for strong learning outcomes in both discipline areas. The authors of GRN's newly published working paper, "Towards the Design and Implementation of Comprehensive Primary Grade Literacy and Numeracy Programs" presented findings from their review of the evidence base, lessons learned from comprehensive programs, and a potential research agenda during a 2-hour technical discussion.
BEC Guide to Members' 2019 CIES Presentations
BEC Co-Hosts Inclusive Education Event at DAI
Above from right (Panel #1): BEC Co-Chair, Candace Debnam (STS) with Antonio Eskandar (DAI), Sue Swenson (Inclusion International), Jerry Mindes (GCE), and Josh Josa (USAID)
On Thursday, April 4th, BEC co-hosted a symposium on Inclusive Education at DAI, in Bethesda, Maryland. Donors, implementers and advocates convened in-person and via Webex to launch a dialogue about opportunities, lessons-learned, and next level of work in inclusive education for development. Sakil Malik (DAI) gave opening remarks. Panel #1 (pictured above) titled, "Policy Perspectives on Increasing Inclusiveness" responded to the following questions:
What are the key concepts that we all need to understand as we talk about and design inclusive education programs?
What are some of the foreseeable challenges to progress in inclusive education? What lessons have you learned for how to mitigate those challenges moving forward?
How have you seen (or how could you envision) donors and governments successfully supporting inclusive education around the world?
what gaps remain in the evidence base to effectively implement inclusive international education programs?
A second panel, "Implementer Perspectives on Increasing Inclusiveness" featured Deborah Backus (All Children Reading), Josh Josa (USAID), Dr. Lisa Wadors Verne (Benetech), Zehra Zaidi (DAI), and Farah Mahesri (education consultant).
BEC Members Advocate on Capitol Hill
BEC Co-Chair, Candace Debnam, Testifies before Congress on Importance of Basic Ed
“Thank you Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, and members of the Subcommittee for inviting me here today. I am honored to testify on behalf of the Basic Education Coalition, a group of leading U.S.-based organizations and academic institutions working together to promote expanded, equitable access to quality education…”
USAID Education Policy Launch with the Implementers
On March 12th, 2019 over 80 implementing partners and representatives from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) met to celebrate and discuss the USAID Education Policy, released in November 2018. The Basic Education Coalition (BEC), InterAction, and USAID co-hosted the event in Washington, DC.
BEC Visits USAID for Briefing on Assistance and Acquisitions Strategy
USAID Administrator Mark Green Launches new Private Sector Engagement Strategy at AEI
On Wednesday, December 12th, 2018, US Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Mark Green spoke at AEI about the agency’s new private-sector engagement policy. Administrator Green outlined the goals of the program and the role of the private sector in fostering local ingenuity and innovation. He also discussed the importance of fostering self-sufficiency and of the judicious use of aid in both development and diplomacy to advance US national and humanitarian interests. Sarah Glass, also of USAID, provided the background for the policy and explained how her department will work to implement the policy on a daily basis.
Watch the event here
Read the U.S. Private Sector Engagement Strategy here
Room to Read Leads Life Skills Presentation for BEC Gender & Girls' Ed Group
Lucina Di-Mecco and Linda Tran presented to the BEC Gender & Girls' Education working group about Room to Read's Girls' Education Program (GEP). The GEP is specifically designed for girls in low-income countries, where skills like how to speak confidently, build relationships and communicate their needs can be crucial for young girls facing big life decisions like early marriage.
GEP supports entire classes of girls (cohorts) and operates in Lower Secondary School (Grade 6-9) and Upper Secondary School (Grades 10-12). Room to Read, therefore, support girls for approximately seven years - from Lower Secondary School until they graduate. Once they begin working at a school, the program remains at the school for three subsequent cohorts or about nine years in total. Across countries, this year, Room to Read is working in 444 schools with 37,700 girls.
Room to Read’s Girls’ Education Program has four key components: Life Skills, Mentoring, Family and Community Engagement, and Material Support. The Life Skills Education component is highlighted below:
Based on the research of the World Health Organization, Room to Read identified 10 core skills that are needed for children to succeed in school and beyond, including communication, empathy, critical thinking, self-confidence, perseverance and relationship building, among others. To support this learning, Room to Read Social Mobilizers (local women who implement all GEP activities) facilitate a life skills curriculum with participating girls. Through life skills lessons, girls develop these foundational skills and learn about reproductive health, nutrition, financial literacy, career choices and begin to challenge limiting gender stereotypes around girls’ abilities and expectations.
Read more