DEEP Year 3 Quarter 2 Report

DEEP's five-pronged approach aims to address challenges to effective data use, fostering a shift in data culture to further the goal of improved and more equitable education programs. DEEP's theory of change is encapsulated in five key components: quality and relevant data are readily available, research is applied and accessible, and there is a better understanding of contributors and barriers to achieving strategic goals. Dissemination is increased, and evidence on education sector priorities is widely disseminated and accessed. Data users are enabled, and demand for and use of data are increased. Coordination in United States Government (USG) basic education programming is increased. During the second quarter of 2021, DEEP published Fiscal Year (FY) 19 Performance Plan and Report (PPR) data briefs, which help USAID staff identify gaps and good practices related to disability-inclusive education, education in crisis and conflict, foundational skills, higher education, and youth workforce development. DEEP also worked with USAID and International Rescue Committee (IRC) staff to develop the cost analysis training that began in March 2021 and will conclude in April 2021. In response to Mission staff requests for further guidance on how to effectively coordinate across agencies, DEEP produced a Best Practices in Coordination brief that provides recommendations and action steps for Mission staff. DEEP published the Target Setting Guide, a consolidated resource that provides detailed guidance on a process to set targets and suggestions for analytical methods to apply to certain indicators and scenarios for deriving specific targets. DEEP completed a working paper and held separate working sessions with implementing partners and USAID staff to identify the best path forward on USAID's work in social and emotional learning (SEL)/soft skills measurement. Based on the outcomes of these sessions, USAID and the DEEP team determined that the best next steps are not to create an updated indicator, but rather to address existing challenges with measuring SEL/soft skills identified by stakeholders. In Q2 2021, Rebekah Schulz was approved as Deputy Chief of Party replacing Nitika Tolani. DEEP's Task Orders include ongoing data support, ongoing cost measurement and support, communications and knowledge management, USG indicator harmonization, and several other initiatives. Task 2: Ongoing Data Support aimed to conduct ongoing analyses and documentation of USAID education programming to support USAID reporting on strategic objectives. The DEEP team automated PPR data quality checks using Excel formulas and conducted checks by Mission (vs. by indicator), greatly expediting the process and reducing level of effort requirements by two-thirds. The team released FY19 PPR data briefs covering disability-inclusive education, education in crisis and conflict, foundational skills, higher education, and youth workforce development. Task 3: Ongoing Cost Measurement Support provided ongoing support for cost data reporting and analysis. The DEEP team completed quarterly tracking of cost data, identifying gaps. The team developed a revised tracking document during this period in order to more efficiently share information on the missing data with USAID, which will simplify the process of tracking cost data moving forward.