Remedial Reading Program Training Manual for Quality Assurance and Standards Officers

The program aims to improve foundational reading skills among struggling learners in grade 3 English Language Activities. The Ministry of Education, in partnership with USAID, is implementing the program in selected pilot schools across the country. The program focuses on targeted instruction for learners who have lagged in reading skills, with the goal of ensuring that all learners transitioning to grade 4 are proficient readers. The content of the program is aligned with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) but teaches foundational literacy skills in a different way to help learners gain the skills they are lacking. Learners will be taught in small groups, enabling more individualized attention from the teacher. The program consists of a series of activities, including letter sound and word blending, vocabulary, and comprehension. The teacher will use a lesson plan template to guide the instruction, selecting letters and words to teach from a table with scope and sequence. The teacher will model each activity, and learners will practice and apply the skills learned. Implementation of the program requires a thorough understanding of the assessment tools, which will be used to identify learners who need remedial instruction. The assessment procedure will be discussed in detail during the training, and QASOs will be expected to assess learners at baseline and end line. The training program for QASOs will cover the following topics: 1. Introduction to remedial teaching and the Remedial Reading Program. 2. Implementation guide walkthrough, including the introduction, purpose, and scope of the program. 3. Lesson framework and timetable, including the general layout of lessons in a 5-day week. 4. Lesson plans for the five days, including letter sound and word blending, vocabulary, and comprehension. 5. Assessment tools and procedures. The training will also cover the expectations, norms, and objectives of the program, as well as the overall outcomes of the Remedial QASO Training Workshop. QASOs will be expected to train all grade 1 to 3 teachers in selected pilot schools in their sub-county, and will be required to fill in participant lists to track daily attendance. The Remedial Reading Program is a critical initiative aimed at improving reading skills among struggling learners in Kenya. With the support of QASOs, the program has the potential to make a significant impact on the education sector and improve the literacy rates of learners in the country.