Accelerated Education Working Group: Widening access, raising standards Asia Education Summit for Flexible Learning Strategies Laetitia Lemaistre, Education Specialist February 26, 2016

60 million forcibly displaced 124 million children and youth out-of-school One-half live in conflict-affected countries 51% of refugees are under 18, with 1 in 2 refugee children in primary school; 1 in 4 refugee adolescents in secondary school Less than 1% in higher education

What is Accelerated Education? Flexible, age-appropriate programme; Accelerated time-frame; Target: over-age out-of-school children and youth (10-25 years) who missed out or had education interrupted due to poverty, conflict and crisis; Provide learners with equivalent certified competencies for basic education; Accelerated Education vs. Catch Up Programmes.

Key Challenges with Accelerated Education Programming Lack of standard terms, definitions, programme design and characteristics; Not always aligned with national education systems and certification; Lack of documentation, guidance and evidence of impact.

Rationale and Purpose of Accelerated Education WG Initiated in 2014; Build evidence base; Develop guidance and standards; Bring organizations together to identify issues; Dialogue space for harmonized approach.

Accelerated Education WG

Accelerated Education WG Activities Definitions – bank/en/thematic_areas/alternative_education bank/en/thematic_areas/alternative_education Case studies/ best practice; Core reference tool (under development); Advocacy tool for field practitioners Research: Value for Money study (draft).

Key Considerations Inclusion; Curriculum/ Language; Certification/ Accreditation; Capacity; Government investment.