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Our Expertise: Education

Inclusive and Holistic Education

In order to strengthen education systems, DG provides technical input and targeted field assistance to enhance data utility and interoperability for policymakers, administrators, and researchers. 

Enhancing the Education Landscape

Education systems need timely, disaggregated data to support evidence-based decision-making from policymakers, educators, and administrators. 

DG enhances the education landscape by, among other things, contextualizing education data ecosystems, strengthening data automation and interoperability, integrating data systems, and expanding diagnostic assessment tools to cover underrepresented groups. We work hand-in-hand with stakeholders to pinpoint data gaps and address key priorities.

Contextualizing the Education Data Landscape

In order for education stakeholders to improve the education sector, it is imperative to understand the socioeconomic and cultural backdrop in which people are operating. DG’s in-country assessments provide this context and nuance to identify data gaps, overcome data silos, and advise on suitable interventions.

Improving Education Systems through Accessible Data

In the education sector, data is needed to track and improve grade-specific enrollment and retention, student and teacher performance, specialized resource availability, etc. When data is fragmented and made inaccessible to key stakeholders, it is difficult to coordinate policies or address solutions to cross-cutting problems. To better identify strategic interventions and improve data-enabled, evidence-based decision-making, we work closely with local and global partners to streamline data collection and reporting as well as to support data integration across the spectrum of education data systems.

The Importance of Visualizing Education Data

Since education data can support decision-makers in identifying and understanding data trends and be used to formulate actionable solutions, streamlined education systems need digital tools that allow this data to be easily accessed, analyzed, visualized, and shared. DG’s digital solutions increase the accessibility of education data with such features as detailed filtering or geographical mapping systems that can visualize the location of schools, students, resource distribution flow, etc.     

Emphasizing Localization and Sustainability

While many education issues (such as resource and infrastructure limitations) are universal to some degree, the underlying cause of them is influenced by the specific social, cultural, political, and economic contexts in which the education system exists. DG works to understand and respond to these contextual factors as we co-create digital solutions that are sustained by our local partners. 

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Hewlett Foundation Education Project: Evidence-Informed Policymaking
Hewlett Foundation Education Project: Evidence-Informed Policymaking

In order to holistically understand the barriers to more effective data accessibility, sharing, and use, DG—together with education sector experts from IREX—mapped the education data and decision ecosystems in Kenya and Senegal, focusing on primary and secondary education. By gathering in-depth information on barriers around the use of education data, DG facilitated the possibility for targeted interventions that, ultimately, will create robust education data ecosystems and better learning outcomes in Kenya and Senegal.

2022 - Present Advise, Build, Research
Early Grade Education Activity Program
Early Grade Education Activity Program

Led by our strategic partner IREX, DG is supporting Jordan’s efforts to strengthen inclusive early grade education for students in kindergarten to grade three over a 5 year period through the ASAS program. Through ASAS, DG’s globally-based team will supply technical expertise and in-country assistance to enhance data usage and interoperability related to pre-service teacher education programs, continual professional development, institutional capacity, and quality assurance.

2023 - Present Advise, Build, Research

More from Our Blog

Launching the Early Grade Education Activity (ASAS) Program: A Collaborative Project from IREX and DG

IREX and Development Gateway: An IREX Venture (DG) are pleased to announce their collaborative work on the USAID-funded Early Grades Education Activity (ASAS) program, which launched in August 2023 and will run through July 2028. This blog explores how the ASAS program will empower teachers, universities, communities, and stakeholders within Jordan’s Ministry of Education and throughout the country to deliver inclusive and holistic early-grade education for Jordanian students from kindergarten to grade three in order to strengthen numeracy and literacy skills.

July 9, 2024 Education
At a Glance | Evidence-Informed Policymaking: Education Data-Driven Decision Mapping in Kenya and Senegal

Development Gateway: An IREX Venture (DG) and our strategic partner IREX, supported by the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation, conducted a study of the education data systems in Kenya and Senegal. In our findings from this study, we underscore the necessity of a harmonized approach to education data management and share insights that provide a valuable roadmap for future reforms and investments in education data systems.

July 2, 2024 Education
Data for Learning: 5 Lessons to Make Evidence-based Education Quality Improvements

Data can be a powerful resource for education reform. Without it, education leaders can be immobilized because they do not have enough information to recognize that problems exist or to make the case for change. However, data only provides value if it is used to inform decisions.  Unfortunately, many education systems struggle with this step.  So, how can education leaders best be supported to use data to make better decisions in support of quality education improvements? In collaboration with local partners, IREX is supporting the development of data systems and tools to improve education systems through better, evidence-based decision-making.

May 20, 2022 Education