Mongolia READ 2 CONTEXT Trust Fund Grant 2017–2019 Being the least densely populated country in the world, Mongolia has an education system that is characterized by many medium- or small-sized schools that are geographically isolated. While Mongolia has done well in extending access to pre-primary and basic education in part by offering free compulsory primary education to all children starting from age six, the government has now placed a much sharper focus on improving the quality of primary and secondary education. FOCUS AREAS OF READ TRUST FUND GRANT SUPPORT Improving Introducing new Strengthening capacity to program for capacity for use generate and teacher training of assessment use assessment in classroom data for impact information assessment evaluation practices AS A RESULT OF THE READ TRUST FUND, MONGOLIA IS: Improving teaching methods Improving technical skills of Such activities strengthen the In total, 1,787 primary grade teachers and monitoring progress education stakeholders to understanding and capacity of those in 108 primary schools were trained on in learning outcomes by implement evidence-based in key leadership positions on using conducting formative assessments and using early grade learning education policy assessment data to evaluate the reporting results at the school level, and on impact of education interventions. using formative assessments to track and assessments Mongolia has committed to With a culture of evidence-based policy improve early reading and math outcomes. Ministry of Education, Culture, Science strengthening its capacity to assess making and enhanced knowledge and Sport (MECSS) carried out the student learning by continuing and and understanding of early learning Improving the quality of country’s first Early Grade Reading and scaling up the activities supported by outcomes among key social and teaching and learning Math Assessments (EGRA and EGMA) the READ 2 Trust Fund grant. Since economic groups in Mongolia, national under Mongolia’s Education Quality 2020, efforts have been made under and provincial education policy makers Through evidence-based interventions and Reform Project (EQRP). the EQRP to revise the teaching will be empowered to design effective that improve instruction and learning curriculum to integrate EGRA and EGMA policy solutions that would lead to environments, and through a better design In 2017, two national-level EGRA methodologies, develop online training of education policies, it is expected that improved student learning. Enhancing and EGMA dissemination workshops modules for both methodologies, and teachers’ pedagogy will improve, and the capacity of the teaching workforce by presented initial results from the provide in-school support and coaching students will learn more effectively. preparing new teachers to use classroom two assessments and focused on for teachers on EGRA and EGMA usage. assessment effectively designing a reading intervention. Technical skills of MECSS officers Ensuring the availability of Based on this experience, school MECSS rolled out a teacher training plan principals and teachers are thus responsible for teacher professional to pilot the use of formative assessments relevant and timely information developing an understanding of key development are being improved through as part of routine classroom practice in on teaching and learning via findings and follow-up interventions. experience gained in understanding grades 1 and 2. Workshops and trainings a strengthened Education the benefits and uses of formative are strengthening the technical skills Monitoring Information System The data generated from the first assessments, interpreting EGRA/ of MECSS officers responsible for the (EMIS) round of these assessments provides EGMA results, and report-writing. The professional development of teachers an important baseline for monitoring READ 2 Trust Fund also supported With the support of the READ 2 Trust and faculty in pre-service teacher changes and improvements. capacity building of the Monitoring & Fund grant, Mongolia is working to training institutes, thereby improving the Evaluation unit of MECSS to use early understanding of the benefits of formative improve EMIS to capture data from grade assessment data for evaluating assessment in improving student learning formative assessments to provide the impact of teacher-administered and imparting best practices in using support to teachers and schools. formative assessments. classroom assessment.