What Really Works to Improve Learning in Developing Countries ? An Analysis of Divergent Findings in Systematic Reviews

Key Information

Authors

Evans, David K.; Popova, Anna

Year published

2015

Study type

Working paper

Countries in analysis

  • Afghanistan
  • Argentina
  • Bangladesh
  • Bolivia, Plurinational State of
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • Burkina Faso
  • Cameroon
  • Chile
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Ecuador
  • Ethiopia
  • Ghana
  • India
  • Kenya
  • Liberia
  • Mali
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Nepal
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Pakistan
  • Peru
  • Senegal
  • Sierra Leone
  • South Africa
  • Uganda
  • United Republic of Tanzania
  • Uruguay
  • Zambia

Subnational

The study is subnational.

Participants

  • Boys in school
  • Girls in school

Analysis type

Meta-analysis / Systematic review

Intervention Description

Pedagogical interventions, student incentives, desks/tables/chairs, health interventions, accountability/teacher incentives, cost-reducing interventions, information interventions, materials, computers or instructional technology, teacher training, smaller classes/ ability grouping, student/ teacher performance incentives, instructional materials, monetary grants, deworming treatments, providing information about school quality and returns to schooling, teacher incentives, specific guidance for low skilled teachers, reducing costs, alternatives to traditional public schools

Approaches and Outcomes

  • Alternative learning centers/mobile schools/home schools / Improved academic skills (literacy and numeracy)
  • Computer-assisted learning / Improved academic skills (literacy and numeracy)
  • Construction/improvement of classrooms / Improved academic skills (literacy and numeracy)
  • Developing/promoting new laws/policies / Improved academic skills (literacy and numeracy)
  • Deworming / Improved academic skills (literacy and numeracy)
  • Digital devices for the purposes of studying, learning / Improved academic skills (literacy and numeracy)
  • Increased availability of learning materials / Improved academic skills (literacy and numeracy)
  • In-service teacher training – pedagogy general / Improved academic skills (literacy and numeracy)
  • Reducing/eliminating school fees / Improved academic skills (literacy and numeracy)
  • Teacher incentives / Improved academic skills (literacy and numeracy)
  • Teaching materials (e.g. lesson plans, curricula) / Improved academic skills (literacy and numeracy)
  • Vouchers/grants / Improved academic skills (literacy and numeracy)