USAID Educational Innovation Project Quarterly Progress Report, Q2 FY24

The project's main objective is to improve teaching practices in Salvadoran classrooms, with a focus on language and mathematics instruction, universal design for learning, social-emotional learning, and information and communication technologies. During this quarter, the project team provided training to second and third-grade teachers on integrating these focus areas into their classrooms. The training processes were led by project specialists and supported by the Ministerio de Educación, Ciencia y Tecnología (MINEDUCyT). The project team also strengthened its coordination with MINEDUCyT to ensure the successful execution of activities. The project's positive impacts on classroom practices were observed in three areas: improved application of information technologies for teaching and learning, strengthened understanding and application of Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL), and educational accompaniment strategies that strengthen teaching practices. The project team systematically monitored the quality of the training, including its processes, reporting, and outcomes. Under Objective 2, the Follow-up Committee reviewed and updated the research agenda for basic education. The update redefined 40 lines of research that require more in-depth knowledge to improve decision making that will improve the quality of basic education. Two rapid assessments began concerning the research capacity of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and initial Basic Education (BE) trainings in El Salvador. The project team achieved several notable milestones during Q2, including providing technical contributions to the national literacy strategy, preparing three-book kits to support teachers in teaching literacy and social-emotional learning, and designing phase one of the integrated training for second and third-grade teachers. The project team also organized 806 kits containing reading books and materials for logical and mathematical reasoning, and advanced the design and preparation of phase two of the training program for second and third-grade teachers. A total of 364 second-grade and third-grade teachers increased their use of information technology for learning by completing their trainings in ICT, Learning and Knowledge Technologies (LKT), and Technologies for Empowerment and Participation (TEP). Project training managers completed 939 educational support visits to provide technical assistance, and 664 teachers from third to sixth grade participated in the first face-to-face TaRL training session. The project's implementation is ongoing, with a focus on supporting MINEDUCyT's technical efforts to improve the quality of teaching and learning in Salvadoran classrooms. The project team will continue to provide technical coordination, monitor the quality of the training, and support the Ministry's application of its pedagogical model in the classroom.