Imagine a world where words are just words, paragraphs don’t tell a story, and reading feels like a meaningless task. For many students in our partner schools, this was their reality. But we’re changing that, one student at a time!
Since partnering with our 19 schools, we have aimed to provide teachers with the skills and resources to help students learn to read and comprehend at appropriate levels. In many of these schools, students begin reading later in life, which affects their ability to understand what they read. Even after they learn to read, grasping the meaning behind the words can still be a challenge.
In response to this challenge, we’ve increased our students’ exposure to books through regular library visits, book boxes in the schools, and DEAR time (Drop Everything And Read). These initiatives have been pivotal in nurturing a love for reading and boosting comprehension among our students.
But how do we know we’re truly making a difference? We measure our progress through annual reading assessments, which are crucial in tracking our impact. These assessments allow us to see whether a student can read and comprehend the text. We use two key types of assessments. The Uwezo assessment determines if a student can identify letters and read words and paragraphs. In contrast, the Color Level assessment evaluates whether a student can read a story and accurately answer questions, demonstrating real understanding.
We have been able to track significant improvements through these assessments. Year after year, we have seen a remarkable decline in students struggling with comprehension across all our schools. This year's results are our best yet, with an impressive 85% of our students assessed in comprehension being able to understand what they’re reading.
Blue Star is a great representation of this positive change. This year, 88% of its students were classified as "Able" to comprehend, while just 12% are still "Unable." Teacher Amlucky, shared, “ I am deeply encouraged by these results because they show me that the skills I am learning are impacting my students.” This is a tremendous achievement and a testament to the hard work and dedication of both our students and teachers. We’re witnessing real, transformative change, and it’s a moment to celebrate!
But what does this progress mean for our students and teachers? For teachers, it means they’re not just teaching students to read—they’re guiding them to truly understand and find meaning in what they read. For students, it means they are no longer just decoding text; they’re comprehending it, expanding their vocabulary, expressing their thoughts with confidence, and answering questions with a deeper understanding.
This incredible progress is a direct result of your unwavering support. Your care for these children has given them a life-chaninging education. We ask you to join us and all our partner schools in celebrating this achievement!