Recent research on the impact of alternative education delivery systems in Honduras

Several distance education schemes have been undertaken to address both low rural educational levels and the destruction of schools by Hurricane Mitch. This paper reports on recent studies of two distance education efforts with substantial international support. Since the mid-1990s, USAID has supported EDUCATODOS, which originally covered grades 1-6 using packages of printed materials supplemented by radio lessons. In 1999, the program was extended to grades 7-9, and audio materials were distributed on cassettes and CDs. Telebasica is based on the Mexican Telesecundaria program and serves grades 7-9 using videotapes and printed materials from Mexico. Telebasica operates during the day with trained teachers in converted schools, while EDUCATODOS operates in the evening in any available space using volunteer facilitators. A 1997 evaluation of EDUCATODOS found that the program had offered 120,000 person-hours of schooling to Honduran youth and adults at 28 percent of the cost of equivalent traditional schooling. EDUCATODOS students had higher achievement than traditional elementary students, but dropout rates were significant, especially among indigenous groups. In 2002, ongoing research projects are evaluating program impacts on women and on the economy, documenting changes in student attitudes and character at the seventh-grade level, studying volunteer facilitators (teachers), and examining elements of program organization and management. Preliminary findings indicate that the two programs are raising student achievement, improving student self-confidence and employment potential, and offering innovative and flexible delivery. (ERIC abstract)