Celebrating Reading Milestones: Graduating from a Zero Reader to a Confident Reader

Abstract

Foundational learning is defined as "basic literacy, numeracy, and transferable skills such as socio-emotional skills." Recently, various global and national initiatives have been put in place to promote foundational learning. Globally, the Commitment to Action on Foundational Learning seeks to have governments commit to enhancing foundational learning through their ministries of education and development partners because it is the vital building block for all other learning and plays a key role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Kenya, like many other low and middle-income countries, still faces a relatively large proportion of learners with reading difficulties. This briefing paper highlights findings from the design and testing of a remedial intervention targeting learners in lower grades at risk of reading failure in Kiambu County. The remedial intervention was modeled around the Response to Intervention (RTI) approach which involves early identification of learners with reading difficulties and providing them with intensive tiered intervention based on students' needs while monitoring their progress.