Metro Central: Comparing The Test of Basic Concepts Results in 2008 and 2017

Method:

Data was gathered during the first term from 18 primary schools (n=578) by Learning Support Teachers.

The Learning Support Teachers as well as a large number of the teachers at these schools had been trained as mediators of the Basic Concepts Programme, however the majority of Grade R teachers had not yet received this training.

Baseline data had been gathered in 25 primary schools (n=942) by Learning Support Teachers before the large scale introduction of the Basic Concepts Programme in the Metro in 2008.

 Results:

Whereas only 35% of the Grade 1 learners tested in 2008 were 'learning-ready' , 50% of the learners were learning-ready in 2017. These results suggest a significant improvement in the Grade 1 learners starting school. The majority of these learners should cope with school learning and be able to progress to Grade 2 at the end of the year.

Conclusion:

While it would be difficult to make a direct connection between the above results and the influence of the Basic Concepts Programme in the Metro, one also cannot ignore the momentum of the programme in the metro schools where all Learning Support Teachers (LSTs) and a significant number of Foundation Phase teachers have been trained. While most Grade R teachers have not been trained it could be that these teachers have been influenced by their Foundation Phase colleagues who have been trained and particularly by the LSTs regarding the importance of basic concepts for teaching and learning.