USAID Early Grade Reading and Math Project (USAID RAMP) Quarterly Progress Report 2: April–June 2015

The project began on January 1, 2015, and is scheduled to run for five years, ending on December 31, 2019. RAMP is designed to work with the Ministry of Education (MOE) to develop and distribute improved learning materials, develop improved reading and math curricula, train teachers and administrators, and support nationwide adoption of early grade reading and math policies. The project's objectives include delivering improved reading and math instruction to all public school students in Jordan in grades KG2-3, approximately 400,000 students. RAMP is part of the MOE's national initiative to improve early grade reading and math, and it is also charged with ensuring integration of gender, disability, and refugee issues as cross-cutting themes into its activities and deliverables. RAMP is a collaborative effort between RTI International and its partners, and it has received high visibility, with a formal launch by Her Majesty Queen Rania on April 28, 2015. The project will capitalize on contributions and successes of other USAID projects in Jordan, including the Education Data for Decision Making (EdData II) 2012 Snapshot of School Management Effectiveness (SSME) that included the Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) and Early Grade Mathematics Assessment (EGMA). The project's implementation is divided into several key areas, including the development and distribution of improved learning materials, the development of improved reading and math curricula, teacher training and mentoring, and the support of nationwide adoption of early grade reading and math policies. RAMP will work closely with the MOE to ensure that its activities and deliverables are aligned with the MOE's national initiative to improve early grade reading and math. RAMP's staff, as of June 30, 2015, consisted of 15 personnel, including a Chief of Party, a Deputy Chief of Party, and several technical advisors and support staff. The project's budget for the quarter ending June 30, 2015, was $1.4 million, with $1.1 million allocated for personnel costs and $300,000 allocated for other expenses. The project's progress during the quarter ending June 30, 2015, was marked by several key achievements, including the completion of the project's Activity Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (AMEP), the development of a Communication and Outreach Strategy, and the initiation of teacher training and mentoring activities. The project also made significant progress in developing improved learning materials and reading and math curricula, and in supporting the nationwide adoption of early grade reading and math policies. Looking ahead, RAMP plans to continue its implementation activities during the next quarter, with a focus on completing the development and distribution of improved learning materials, continuing teacher training and mentoring activities, and supporting the nationwide adoption of early grade reading and math policies. The project also plans to continue its monitoring and evaluation activities, including the collection and analysis of data on student learning outcomes and the effectiveness of its interventions.