Primary Grades Reading in
Developing Countries Project
IRA is leading this new EQUIP project which is focusing on primary grades reading in Spanish-speaking Latin America, Arabic-speaking Middle East, and Anglophone and Francophone Africa. The objective of this activity is to use research conducted by IRA on early grades reading policies in countries in these regions both at the school level and the preservice level to help support the development of a document that will serve as a guidance to aid international and national education development donors and NGO partners in developing pertinent and effective early grades reading programs in these countries. (2007–present)
Past Projects
Strengthening Professional
International Networks
A two-year grant from the Ford Foundation supported IRA’s Latin American affiliates in building a professional community that can activate and sustain professional development and education reform. (2001–2003)
Venezuela—
The School for Alphabetizers
This project created centers for the promotion of reading and writing as spinoffs from existing educational efforts. The centers house books and other educational materials and are staffed by literacy trainers, or “alphabetizers,” under the auspices of the University of the Andes and in coordination with reading specialists from public libraries in Merida.
Bolivia—
Canastas de lectura y memoria oral
Families from the barrios of Alto Pagador and Villa Mexico in Cochabmaba had the opportunity to borrow baskets of books and magazines. In addition, oral storytelling traditions were documented and new materials in Spanish and Quechua were developed to preserve the stories.