CLA Strengthens Efforts to Improve Language and Learning for Children with Disabilities

Examining the use of the CLA approach when shifting from supporting innovators/innovations at pilot (or proof of concept) stage to transitioning mature, evidence-based solutions for scale.

CLA Strengthens Efforts to Improve Language and Learning for Children with Disabilities

Blue ribbon - Finalist in the 2021 CAL Case CompetitionCLA Strengthens Efforts to Improve Language and Learning for Children with Disabilities” is a case study that focuses on All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development’s shift in the third round of challenges and prizes from supporting innovators and innovations at pilot (or proof of concept) stage to transitioning mature, evidence-based solutions for scale. This demanded a well-organized and intentional Learning Agenda to measure the impact of investments in evidence-based EdTech programming and ACR’s ability to scale effective solutions. The Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) approach provided the structure that was missing, embedding learning in the awards life-cycle and ensuring ACR partners and awardees had regular opportunities to share knowledge and experiences and then adapt their designs or implementation approaches based on ongoing learning or changing circumstances. COVID-19 presented our awardees with the impetus for change and need for adaptation which resulted in being some of the first organizations to develop new books for students easily accessible online in underserved languages with COVID-19 prevention messages.

The case study was one of 13 finalists in the 2021 USAID Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) Case Study Competition.