Quality Initiatives in AFE Projects A Proposal submitted for General Funds under the Large-Scale, Innovative Projects Category

Contents Objectives QED Focus Group and the Quality Initiative: Background Implementation Details of General Funds proposal Potential Initiatives for Support Assumptions

Objectives Collaboratively implement initiatives with Project Partners that address different dimensions of Quality. Provide an effective channel for the utilization of the funds set aside through the recent ARC vote for Large scale, Innovative projects through a process that suits the simple, decentralized nature of Asha Large-Scale: This is an umbrella initiative where as many as 25 projects/chapters will be participating. Projects potentially will span a wide geography and cross-section of children. Innovation: This will arise from the varied proposals that projects will be implementing. A proactive effort of this sort is a new approach for Asha taken as a whole. Demonstrate a strong, conscious and pro-active consideration of ‘Quality’ as a core objective by Asha chapters, volunteers and project partners Generate a repository of documentation that, over time, can enhance our understanding of Quality Facilitate an Asha-wide learning of quality initiatives (as against the knowledge staying just with individual chapters).

Contents Objectives QED Focus Group and the Quality Initiative: Background Implementation Details of General Funds proposal Sample Initiatives Assumptions

QED Focus Group and the Quality Initiative: Background An Asha-wide focus group of volunteers and project partners interested in exploring, understanding and addressing Quality in its different dimensions A forum to facilitate sharing and learning where different ‘Quality' related ideas (within and outside Asha) can be discussed and tested through field practice. Currently has volunteers from several chapters of US and India and a few project partners Any interested Asha volunteer can join the group ( The group has been organizing open conference calls since August 2009 Discussion of National Curriculum Framework Assessment methodologies Calls with Project partners on the dimensions of quality A wiki is under construction to host the documents and discussions.

QED Focus Group and the Quality Initiative: Background (Contd) Two Documents have been developed through the collaborative discussions over this period. Dimensions of School Quality Document explores the different dimensions that influence quality in an educational setup Learning (Scholastic) Learning (Non-Scholastic) Society Parents Teachers Learner/Student School Management/Leadership Relationships Self-awareness of the school about its aims and Objectives Quality of Education Framework Questionnaire contains a comprehensive set of questions to understand how the school is addressing these dimensions

QED Focus Group and the Quality Initiative: Background (Contd) The group has requested a few projects (Puvidham, REWARD, Sri Vidyashram etc) and got them to complete the QED questionnaire to understand its suitability and refine it The group is putting forward an umbrella proposal (See next section) to the General Funds team that seeks to implement Quality Initiatives at 25 Asha projects every year for two years. Estimated budget for the umbrella proposal is $60,000 (25 projects x $1200 per project x 2 years) The group has come up with a set of sample initiatives that can be taken up under this proposal. Chapters and projects have the flexibility to incorporate additional initiatives that make sense for the context of the project.

Contents Objectives QED Focus Group and the Quality Initiative: Background General Funds QED Process Sample Initiatives Assumptions

General Funds QED Process 1. Proposal Submission Every chapter can nominate up to one of their projects Project partner and proposing chapter submits completed QED framework questionnaire Project partner and proposing chapter submits a proposal articulating how the proposed initiative will benefit the players in the project ecosystem (children, teachers, parents, community) detailing how the project partner will assess the effectiveness of the initiative 2. Funding First 25 projects on a first-come first-served basis will get a grant of $1200 (for a total of $60,000 over two years). QED group validates that documentation has been completed and provides guidance/feedback/suggestions to fine-tune the proposal. (Note: the QED group has no decision-making authority and relies on chapter-level nomination process). QED group communicates to Asha-wide treasurer to transfer funds to the proposing chapters

General Funds QED Process (Contd) 3. Implementation Project Partners implement the initiative upon receipt of the funding 4. Reporting Project partner and proposing chapter should submit a review report at the end of one year detailing how the initiative worked, what have been the learnings etc. Proposing chapter to provide a site visit report that verifies and understands quality related aspects contained in the proposal Chapters not submitting the report will not be eligible to apply for funds under the QED initiative for subsequent years. This will be one way to ensure follow through 5. Documentation QED Group/Proposing chapter will upload the proposal document, framework document, site visit report and review report to the QED wiki (this will serve as a repository for chapters to look up). This will help in comparative learning.

Contents Objectives QED Focus Group and the Quality Initiative: Background Implementation Details of General Funds proposal Sample Initiatives Assumptions

Sample Initiatives Note: The initiatives listed in this section are meant to illustrate the possibilities; they are not meant to be exhaustive or restrictive in any way. Projects are encouraged to come up with ideas that work for them. Given the small amount of funds available per project (ex:1200$/yr), we expect to fund mostly 'pilot' initiatives. If a chapter finds the GF-supported 'pilot' to be productive, they can continue with it after this 2 year period with their own funds.

Sample Initiatives School Making the physical environment of the school appealing and enjoyable for the learner  Charts, Murals  Garden Incorporate opportunities to make learning holistic (intellectual, emotional, artistic, physical)  Art, Dance, Music, Theater, Clay Modeling, Knitting, Photography classes  Musical equipment  Play Equipment  Library  Science/Math kits  Audio-Visual  TV/ DVD Player/ Projector  DVDs/Videos of series such as BBC and Discovery Channel’s Life, Planet Earth, Blue Planet, The Life of Birds etc Increase the learning opportunities outside of textbooks  Educational tours

Sample Initiatives Teachers Increasing salaries of teachers Hiring more teachers to increase the teacher-to-student ratio Provide opportunities for professional mobility and growth of teachers Sending them to trainings Sending them to conferences organized by the learning Network etc Putting in place mechanisms for recognizing and appreciating teacher contributions Give bonuses to teachers based on their efforts to promote quality, performance of students etc Organizing teacher conferences Teacher Training Sending rural teachers for English training English is in great demand by parents and children, but many teachers don’t have the right training or books/resources to teach the language Get teachers to take courses for computer familiarity and usage (lot of schools have computers, but very few teachers know how to actually use them). Science Science Sense training courses in Chennai

Sample Initiatives Assessment Invest in assessments and methodologies that test not just memory retention and reproduction, but tests for cognitive understanding, learning and application of concepts. ASSET (Assessment of Scholastic Skills Through Educational Testing) for English, Math, Science and other subjects Students Providing incentives/scholarships to students based on different and varied criteria (scholastic/non-scholastic). Send some students to programs such as SVYM’s Youth for Development, a 3- month residential program

Contents Objectives QED Focus Group and the Quality Initiative: Background Implementation Details of General Funds proposal Sample Initiatives Assumptions

No single definition of Quality; QED document provides a broad framework for introspection. Projects, people and circumstances are unique and so are solutions. However, one can learn from the approach and philosophy of others to similar challenges. No ‘Silver Bullet’ solution – project partners are in a better position to come up with solutions that work for them. We can help increase their options. Overall, our role is to promote introspection, provide opportunities for comparative learning and support implementation of solutions that work for project partners.