Pencils of Promise: SXSW Workshop

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Find the Missing Link: The Evolution of a Program

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Identify the Need: Literacy test
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Phonics: the relationship between
letters and sounds
Phonics: the relationship between
letters and sounds
Spelling: bridges the gap between
phonics and literacy
Spelling: bridges the gap between
phonics and literacy
Comprehension: understanding
and interpreting the words on the
paper
Comprehension: understanding
and interpreting the words on the
paper

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Lao map: literacy scores
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18%18%
10%10%
45%45%
60%60%
70%70%
LPBLPB

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Lao: Literacy Scores
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Grade Very Rural Rural Semi-Urban/
Urban
3rd
Grade 14% 39% 64%
5th
Grade 20% 52% 70%

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In all of our countries the reported national literacy rate is
below 75%.(World Bank)
In the rural, ethnic minority areas where we work this is
often much lower.
Example: In Laos, an urban Lao (majority) male has a 95%
chance of being literate; a rural Akah (minority) female has
a 3% chance of being literate. (Socioeconomic atlas of Lao PDR: Swiss National Center of
Competence in Research North-South)
The problem: Literacy
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Teachers are undertrained, underprepared and not engaging
in the classroom.
This is resulting in disengaged and low-performing students.
(One major indicator of this is the low literacy rates in our
schools across the board.)
The Problem: Teaching methods
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The Problem: Conventional behavior
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Conventional
teaching
methods:
Gov’t trained
teachers
Conventional
teaching
methods:
Gov’t trained
teachers

8. This information is confidential and was prepared by Pencils of Promise, Inc. It shall only be used by the person(s) named and for the purpose(s) intended and is not meant for distribution.
The Problem: Gov’t teacher
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The Problem: Gov’t teacher
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The Solution: Engaging Teachers
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The goal: Create engaging teachers so that students
learn more
The pieces:
1.Improve lesson planning
2.Build rapport with students through interactive teaching
3.Support a peer network of teachers
4.Provide teaching and learning materials

11. This information is confidential and was prepared by Pencils of Promise, Inc. It shall only be used by the person(s) named and for the purpose(s) intended and is not meant for distribution.
“Education theory and philosophy suggest that
teachers that are skilled in active-child-centered
methods of teaching produce better learning
results…”(“Determinants of Primary Education Outcomes in Developing Countries” Report –
World Bank)
The Solution: Interactive teaching
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The Solution: Well-rounded teachers
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“Based on research in classrooms, The New Teacher Project outlined
key skills teachers must master in order to become effective:
•facilitating, organized, student-centered,
objective-driven lessons
•promoting active participation and high
academic expectations
•building a positive and respecting classroom
environment”(Leap year – Assessing and Supporting Effective First-Year Teachers)

13. This information is confidential and was prepared by Pencils of Promise, Inc. It shall only be used by the person(s) named and for the purpose(s) intended and is not meant for distribution.
The Solution: Interactive behavior
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Interactive
teaching
methods: PoP
trained
teachers
Interactive
teaching
methods: PoP
trained
teachers

14. This information is confidential and was prepared by Pencils of Promise, Inc. It shall only be used by the person(s) named and for the purpose(s) intended and is not meant for distribution.
The Solution: Teacher Training
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The Solution: Model teaching
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Year zero: Test our teaching methodology by teaching in
the classrooms ourselves
Year one: Support teachers through heavy modeling, lesson
planning, workbook / homework creation
Year two: Support teachers through light modeling, observe
in classroom, support on lesson planning
Year three: Follow-up with observations in classroom
Ongoing:
•Teacher Training Workshops: gathering teachers in a
centralized location for training and network building
•Material provision
The Solution: Four-year plan
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