Uzbekistan Education for Excellence Program FY2021–Year 2 Quarterly Progress Report 3

The program is implemented by a consortium of partners, including RTI International, Florida State University, and Mississippi State University, in collaboration with the Government of Uzbekistan Ministry of Public Education (MPE). The program's primary objective is to create an education system that produces graduates with critical thinking, problem-solving, and practical skills. The program focuses on three key areas: Improved Uzbek Language Arts (ULA) and Mathematics outcomes in grades 1-4, Enhanced Information and Communication Technology (ICT) instruction for grades 1-11, and Improved English as a Foreign Language (EFL) instruction in grades 1-11. To achieve these objectives, the consortium will develop relevant and appropriate student learning standards, customize or develop revised student textbooks and teacher guides, design and implement an in-service teacher professional development approach, and conduct program monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities. The program's implementation is divided into four years, with the first two years focusing on conceptualizing and developing new approaches to curriculum product development and support for teacher professional development. These materials and approaches will be used to enhance teachers' capacity to understand, apply, reflect on, and improve classroom practices in the third and fourth years. The program also includes a focus on implementation science to examine the effectiveness of the changes and their impact on improving teaching and learning. The program's expected outcomes include improved student achievement, enhanced teacher capacity, and the development of a digital platform for standards and instructional materials. The program's approach to teacher professional development could also be introduced to other regions and districts outside of the target areas, and the program's lessons could be utilized to ensure a solid scale-up of the program's specific interventions. The program's progress is monitored through a range of indicators, including the development of student learning standards, the customization or development of revised student textbooks and teacher guides, the design and implementation of an in-service teacher professional development approach, and the conduct of program monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities. The program's financial summary for the first quarter of FY2021 indicates that the program has made significant progress in achieving its objectives, with a total expenditure of $X million. The program's implementation narrative provides a detailed overview of the activities undertaken in the first two years of the program. The narrative highlights the progress made in developing student learning standards, customizing or developing revised student textbooks and teacher guides, designing and implementing an in-service teacher professional development approach, and conducting program monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities. The narrative also provides an overview of the challenges and limitations faced by the program during the first two years, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for additional resources to support the program's implementation. Overall, the Uzbekistan Education for Excellence Program is a comprehensive initiative aimed at reforming the country's education system. The program's focus on improving student learning outcomes, enhancing teacher capacity, and developing a digital platform for standards and instructional materials makes it an important contribution to the country's education sector.