Introduction

From March 12-14, 2008, the Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) Second Workshop was held at the World Bank's Preston Auditorium in Washington, DC. Workshop sponsors included USAID, the World Bank, RTI International, the Fast Track Initiative Secretariat and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

The primary objectives of the workshop were twofold. First, to continue to generate interest in and awareness of EGRA activities on the part of the donor community and potential participant countries. Second, to prepare a select group of interested countries for starting actual applications of EGRA for policy-awareness purposes or implications for improving reading based on already-undertaken policy awareness development. More experienced countries and experts shared lessons learned with less experienced countries through the sharing of results from pilot experiences; review of the implications of EGRA for instruction and meeting EFA literacy, quality and completion goals; and an optional 1-day technical workshop for instrument development. Participants gained technical knowledge of the importance of early reading instruction and assessment, an understanding of the research underpinning EGRA including the foundation steps to literacy acquisition, and potential uses for information generated by EGRA.

In all, nearly 200 participants from some 40 countries attended the three day workshop. Participants included representatives from donor organizations, foundations, Ministry and NGO staff and international reading assessment and instruction experts. For additional information about EGRA (including instruments and reports) please see www.eddataglobal.org.