Assessment of Reading Skills in Ivory Coast

Children who learn to read in the early grades are better prepared to absorb more advanced skills and content that rely on reading. IMPAQ evaluated a school canteen and lunch meal program that included support activities for a new reading instruction method to improve the reading abilities of primary students. The World Food Program and AVSI Foundation partnered with the government of Ivory Coast to implement this program. (IMPAQ was acquired by AIR in 2020.)

Our researchers used a nonexperimental design to assess the effectiveness of the program to increase the reading skills necessary to advance students’ educations. We also worked with local partners to improve their ability to administer early grade reading assessments and provide feedback to parents, teachers, school principals, and other local education stakeholders.