Tout Timoun Ap Li (ToTAL – All Children Reading) is a two-year United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded applied research project launched in August 2012. The project simultaneously addressed two pressing concerns for Haiti: education and literacy. Early grade reading is a priority for the Ministère de l’Education Nationale et de la Formation Professionnelle (Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training). The project aimed to improve reading skills among Haitian children in grades 1-3, with a focus on developing and implementing effective reading programs in schools.
The project was implemented in partnership with the Haitian Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training, as well as other local and international organizations. The project’s goal was to improve reading skills among Haitian children, with a focus on developing and implementing effective reading programs in schools. The project’s objectives included assessing the capacity to implement applied research activities, developing and implementing a reading program, and evaluating the effectiveness of the program.
Key activities and progress were made during the project period. The applied research activity was successfully launched, with stakeholders collaborating to revise the randomized control trial plan. The capacity to implement applied research activities, the ToTAL Reading Program, and future reading programs in USAID development corridors was assessed and local partners were invited to participate in project design, implementation, and/or performance monitoring.
Student reading performance was assessed through baseline and endline administrations of the Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) tool. The analysis of EGRA data revealed significant improvements in reading skills among students who participated in the project. The findings were disseminated to stakeholders, including the Haitian Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training and other local and international organizations.
The project also focused on developing and implementing a reading curriculum, with a focus on grades 1-3. The curriculum was developed and implemented in partnership with local schools and organizations. The project also developed and implemented community literacy strategies that improved early grade reading, including the implementation of a community literacy plan and the development of student reading cards.
The project’s results showed significant improvements in reading skills among students who participated in the project. The project’s findings and recommendations were disseminated to stakeholders, including the Haitian Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training and other local and international organizations. The project’s success was attributed to the strong partnership between the project team and local stakeholders, as well as the effective implementation of the project’s activities.
The project’s impact was also evaluated through the assessment of school management effectiveness, which revealed significant improvements in school management practices among participating schools. The project’s findings and recommendations were disseminated to stakeholders, including the Haitian Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training and other local and international organizations.
The project’s sustainability was also a key consideration, with the project team working to ensure that the project’s activities and findings would continue to benefit Haitian children beyond the project’s completion. The project’s success was also attributed to the effective use of performance monitoring and evaluation tools, which allowed the project team to track progress and make adjustments as needed.
Overall, the ToTAL project was a successful initiative that improved reading skills among Haitian children and contributed to the development of effective reading programs in schools. The project’s findings and recommendations will continue to benefit Haitian children and contribute to the improvement of education and literacy in Haiti.