2.0

credits

Average Course Rating

This course aims to introduce students to contemporary discussions on designing and delivering basic education (primary and lower secondary level) services in low and middle income countries. The course pays special attention to lessons learned for improving access to and quality of education. The readings focus primarily on basic education with some discussion on early childhood education and care. We begin this 2-credit course with a general introduction about the ongoing debates at the global and national level about the successes and shortcomings of recent interventions for improving basic education in low and middle income countries. During the second section of the course, we will have the opportunity to learn about both demand and supply-side obstacles to providing basic education to all children. During the third and major section of the course, we will examine the evidence about the effectiveness of a wide range of efforts at improving access to and quality of basic education, including but not limited to class size, teacher training, cash transfer, and technological interventions. The course is run as a seminar so the students are expected to do the assigned readings prior to each session. At the end of the course, students will have familiarity with both the pertinent academic literature on basic education interventions in low and middle income countries, and the key reports published by international development organizations. Students will also have the opportunity to practice their policy analysis skills through the policy memo assignments. <a href="http://bit.ly/1bebp5s" target="_blank">Click here to see evaluations, syllabi, and faculty bios</a>