Improving foundational literacy outcomes: a brief on the components and cost of a ‘just enough’ model for government-led programming

For many years, education systems have grappled with a persistent learning crisis, whereby large numbers of students complete schooling without achieving foundational literacy and numeracy skills. This insight note argues that in the current setting of reduced funding and persistently low learning outcomes, there is an urgent need to define a minimum, or ‘just enough’, foundational literacy model – one that is cost-effective and can be delivered through government systems at scale. In response to this need, the authors present a proposed model in this brief alongside estimations of its cost as well as broader strategies to improve cost efficiencies and outcomes.

The insight note proceeds as follows: 

• Section 1 summarises the key findings of the brief;
• Section 2 introduces the background and the methodology of the study;
• Section 3 provides the illustrative baseline reference context;
• Section 4 presents the model, including the efficiencies and effectiveness strategies included in the model;
• Section 5 shows the expected cost of the model based on illustrative design parameters and estimated unit prices with best practices applied, and
• Section 6 explores the efficiencies for consideration that are not included in the ‘just enough’ model.