Expanding Educational Horizon's Project (EEH) was a joint iniative implemented in Jamaica by the Governments of Jamaica and the United States, through the Ministry of Education and Youth and United States for International Development, between 2004 and 2009. This project, which built on the best practices from the New Horizons for Primary Schools Project, sought to:
- Strengthen the ability of schools to improve student performance in Language Arts and Mathematics
- Assist NGOs to provide remedial education to out of school youth
- Create partnerships between schools and private/ public sector organizations
Students from 71 schools and out of school youth from 6 NGOs benefitted from interventions, intended to increase their level of literacy and numeracy. Jamiaca School Administrative System Software (JSAS) was used to track student performance at each school site. This software facilitated the implementation of useful intervention strategies based on the identification of areas of strength and weakness. The project also integrated gender strategies aimed at improving educational outcomes, especially for boys.EEH schools received resources as well as training and support for teachers in technology integration strategies to enhance literacy and numeracy activities.Schools graduated from the project if the following were demonstrated:
- Good leadership practices
- Aceptable performance at the Grade Four level was maintained over 2 years with 65 percent at mastery level
- Acceptable performance in Mathematics at the Grade Three level was maintained over 2 years with 65 percent at the mastery level
By December 4, 2008, a total of 62 EEH schools met these criteria and graduated from the project:
- In December 2007 - 17 schools graduated
- In June 2008 - 22 schools graduated
- In December 2008 - 23 schools graduated (Jamaica Information Service, 2008 [1])
Click here [2] for more information about this initative.