Accelerated Education Programs: An Evidence Synthesis for Policy Leaders

The Accelerated Education Programs: An Evidence Synthesis for Policy Leaders is provided for decision-makers with technical backgrounds, providing more detailed analysis and discussion, which will aid in implementing policy decisions. This synthesis offers six major insights to help guide policy actions and guidance as well as implementation:

1. Effective accelerated education programs (AEPs) share key features across design and implementation. These features can be supported meaningfully by government engagement, including national policy actions.
2. AEPs have emerged as an alternative route to access education and learning for out-of-school children and youth (OOSCY) learners who have not been reached effectively by the formal system. New or revised government AEP policies can improve OOSCY access and learning, especially among the most marginalized.
3. Amidst growing calls for the alignment of accelerated education with national education systems, it is important to recognize that alignment is not a one-size-fits-all solution but takes many forms in different contexts. A one-size-fits-all approach could leave out more children and youth unintentionally.
4. Learning from country experiences points to a tactical, staged path to strengthening AEP alignment with national systems based on starting points of need and readiness.
5. Countries with effective AEPs prioritize alignment with goals, equity and inclusion, curriculum, assessment, and certification, with other dimensions defined by program implementers.
6. AEPs are designed to offer accelerated education for OOSCY. However, the lessons hold implications for broader COVID-19-related learning recovery and support measures in the formal school system.