Strengthening foundational literacy : a process and outcome evaluation of the Wordworks Early Literacy programme

The purpose of this evaluation was to investigate the effects of a volunteer-run, school-based Wordworks Early Literacy intervention that was implemented in the Western Cape for struggling Grade One learners at risk of falling into the Learning Achievement Gap. The process evaluation investigated the extent to which volunteers received adequate training to deliver the programme to learners, as well as the perceived benefits that volunteers gained from this experience. The outcome evaluation investigated the extent to which several literacy and psychosocial development indicators improved amongst children who took part in The Wordworks Early Literacy Programme (ELP). Secondary data from volunteer programme records such as attendance of training sessions, volunteers' reasons for leaving the programme where applicable, and a Volunteer Feedback survey detailing perceived benefits of volunteering, were analysed to ascertain the volunteer outcomes. Secondly, data from learner assessments measuring changes in literacy indicator variables (such as letter knowledge, sentence construction ability, and reading ability), in 3 cohorts of learners enrolled in the programme, were analysed. Cohort 1 consisted of the 2014 12-month programme, Cohort 2 of the 2014 6-month programme and Cohort 3 of the 2015 6-month programme. Thirdly, qualitative data from responses given in a Teachers Feedback survey, detailing perceived changes in learner psychosocial well-being, were analysed

Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Semi - Arid Regions of Southern Africa

The main objectives of the RDS phase are to i) develop a systematic understanding of existing knowledge and perceptions of climate change trends, impacts, vulnerability, adaptation strategies, and barriers and enablers to effective adaptation in SARs; ii) provide a system scale perspective from which ASSAR researchers can undertake research in the Regional Research Programme (RRP); and iii) help inform the more detailed sets of specific research foci for the RRP

Vulnerability and adaptation to climate change in semi-arid areas in Southern Africa

Vulnerability; Adaptation; Climate change; semi-arid regions; Southern Africa;International Development Researcj Cemtre amd UK's Department for International Development through the Collaborative Adaptation Research Initiative in Africa and Asia (CARIAA

The role of monitoring and evaluation in six South African reading programmes

In this article we focus on six reading programmes and ask: Do these programmes work insofar as they improve the reading ability of programme participants? We apply programme evaluation methods and content to these programmes to answer this question. Specifically, we use an approach that identifies the following five different levels of evaluation, namely: programme need; programme theory; programme process and implementation; programme outcome and impact; and programme cost and efficiency. We then add appropriate evaluation questions and research designs applicable to each level. We conclude by providing suggestions to reading programme staff on how to improve monitoring (data collection) in order to strengthen the evaluability of their reading programmes