Improving learning outcomes for out-of-school children: evidence from a randomized evaluation of an accelerated learning program in Liberia

This study evaluated a 10-month accelerated learning program in Liberia designed to help out-of-school children catch up to grade level. The program was tested through a randomized evaluation across 100 communities. The results show that children who participated in the program made large gains in reading and numeracy skills and reached learning levels comparable to children in government schools.

Key points

• Children in Liberia receive only 2.2 learning-adjusted years of schooling, among the lowest in the world
• The accelerated learning program had large effects on reading and numeracy skills
• Participating children caught up to the learning levels of children in government schools
• The evaluation covered 100 communities in Liberia
• The program duration was 10 months

Limitations

The abstract does not provide detail on program costs, sustainability, long-term retention of learning gains, or whether effects persisted after the program ended. It also does not specify the age range of children served or baseline characteristics of participants.