Technology-Based Innovations to Improve Early Grade Reading Outcomes in Developing Countries

All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development (ACR GCD)—a partnership between the USAID, World Vision, and the Australian Government—is an ongoing series of competitions that leverage science and technology to source, test, and disseminate scalable solutions to improve literacy skills of early grade learners in developing countries. Round 2 of ACR GCD, which started in 2014 and continued through 2018, sought technology-based innovations to improve early grade reading outcomes in developing countries utilizing competitions, research, and partnerships. Innovators from various countries were selected to implement technology-based projects concentrating on three focus areas:

1. Mother tongue instruction and reading materials
2. Family and community engagement
3. Children with disabilities

Robust external evaluations of early grade reading pilots conducted by Round 2 grantees culminated in three summary reports detailing the overall impact of technology to address children’s reading needs in and out of school, the impact of family and community engagement, and the use of EdTech for literacy focused on children with sensory disabilities.