Equipping youth to address barriers to child literacy in their communities
The Grand Challenge
Children are not achieving minimum proficiency in reading.
More than 90 percent of primary-age children in low-income countries and 75 percent of children in lower-middle income countries – more than 387 million children – are not expected to read or do basic math by the end of primary school. In South Africa, 78 percent of Grade 4 students are unable to read a basic story.
The Big Idea
Digital learning game that prepares youth to tackle illiteracy in their communities.
At the core of social innovation are new ideas that work to meet pressing unmet needs and improve peoples’ lives. Research shows that engaging more young people in finding solutions is critical for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and creating sustainable change.
Leaders for Literacy is a digital learning game developed by All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development in partnership with Pearson, Project Literacy and the World Bank. The project was adapted from Evoke, originally developed by the World Bank, to equip youth with 21st century and social innovation skills to create solutions that address barriers to literacy, beginning in their own communities.
Leaders for Literacy
Latest Research & Resources
SmartBooks (សៀវភៅឆ្លាត) – Google
A smartphone app offering more than 70 leveled stories and digital quizzes in the Khmer language to help improve early grade literacy skills of children in Cambodia.ACR GCD – Children With Disabilities Info Sheet
A brief overview of ACR GCD's projects, research and partnerships focused on improving literacy outcomes for children with disabilities in developing countries.Technology-Based Innovations to Improve Early Grade Reading Outcomes in Developing Countries
A summary report on the research design, Early Grade Reading Assessment results, and scalability assessments of 11 ACR GCD-funded projects from 2014-2017.Supporting Technology-Based Innovations to Improve Early Grade Reading Outcomes for Students Who Have Low Vision or are Blind
A summary report on the impact and potential for scale of three ACR GCD-funded projects focused on improving reading outcomes of students who have low vision or are blind.Engaging Families and Communities to Support Student Reading Skills Development
A summary on the impact and potential for scale of four ACR GCD-funded innovator projects focused on improving the engagement of families and communities in children's reading.
Leaders for Literacy
Latest Updates
- Blog // December 12, 2019
9 lessons for designing EdTech innovations for early grade literacy
As a spotter and innovation catalyst in education technology to improve child literacy in developing countries, All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development (ACR GCD) is on the front lines - Blog // March 13, 2020
Nine global EdTech solutions to support out-of-school children during the Coronavirus outbreak
ACR GCD-funded innovations available in multiple languages and across variety of devices to support early-grade literacy.