Balanced Literacy Transforms Classrooms: Evidence from Mali

This report summarizes the results of a small-scale evaluation EDC conducted in collaboration with Mali’s Ministry of National Education to examine the effectiveness of a balanced literacy approach. With this approach, teachers implement evidence-based techniques in language mechanics (phonics), reading comprehension, and writing. The evaluation explored differences in student performance across core reading domains, as well as factors contributing to success.

Key Findings

• Overall, students in balanced literacy schools made impressive strides in only six months of instruction.
• First graders in the intervention schools outperformed second-grade comparison students and showed dramatic gains in reading and writing skills. These gains were strong in all schools, irrespective of the language of instruction.