This document discusses lessons learned from an early grade evaluation in South Africa conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The evaluation had four objectives: two impact evaluations, COVID-19 research, and establishing language benchmarks. Large scale data was collected in schools, and the document outlines how to use the data intentionally for decision-making to support teachers, principals, and parents. It also discusses making the data timely, sharing it through various repositories, and learning from the data through collaboration, dialogue, and taking action.

1. Data-led Learning for Adaptive
Evaluation Processes
Lessons from an early grade
evaluation in South Africa
Leticia Taimo
BRIDGE M&E COP
SAMEA Conference 2022

2. Where do the lessons come from?
 Evaluation with 4 different objectives
2 impact evaluations
COVID-19 research
Establishing language benchmarks in Setswana and English First Additional
Language
 During COVID-19 pandemic
 Large scale data collection in schools in South Africa

3. Have data, what next?

4. HOW will the data be used?
 Be intentional
 Results for decision-making (e.g. support teachers, principals
and parents)

5. WHO will use the data?

6. WHAT does the data look like?
• Videos
• Infographics
• Powerpoint presentation
reports
End product
Data collection
What method best
suits your need?

7. Data must be TIMELY
 Are people interested right now?
 Who is interested?
 About policy or systemic change, but also organizational/project level
change

8. Data and evidence sharing
USAID Development Experience
Clearinghouse:
https://dec.usaid.gov/dec/content/s
earch.aspx
USAID Development Data Library:
https://data.usaid.gov/
DBE Research Repository:
https://www.education.gov.za/Rese
archRepository.aspx

9. Learning from the data
• Collaboration
• Dialogue
• Taking action

11. Thank you!
Questions?
Leticia Taimo
ltaimo@khulisa.com
www.khulisa.com