Pratham USA discusses their 100&Change Finalist proposal that uses adaptable, simple methods to help educators teach children at the right level.
In a world where uncertainty is the norm, it is not enough for solutions to work in the present. They must last. And to do so, they must adapt.
That is why adaptability is at the core of Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL): Pratham’s approach to ensuring every child learns to read and do basic math. TaRL has been delivered to millions of children across India and over two dozen countries in Africa and Latin America. And its true strength is not in its reach but in its adaptability.
Here’s what makes TaRL adaptable in a changing world:
Simple and Flexible Teaching
The basic premise of TaRL is a straightforward one. Start with where the child is, not where the child should be. Children are assessed one-on-one with simple oral tools, then grouped by their learning levels for instruction, and supported with engaging, targeted activities.
The World Bank’s Global Education Evidence Advisory Panel listed TaRL as a top “Smart Buy,” a highly cost-effective, evidence-based intervention for improving foundational learning.
The basic premise of TaRL is a straightforward one. Start with where the child is, not where the child should be.
TaRL is not a high-intensity solution. It does not require expensive materials, special equipment, or ideal classroom conditions. It works in schools with limited infrastructure, multi-grade classrooms, and diverse language needs. And it works with the educators who are already in place.
This simplicity is intentional: the method must be usable and effective in a wide range of existing contexts and implementable even when conditions change. A flexible framework and easy to use solution is more sustainable and adaptable.
Capability, Adaptability, and Ownership
Real adaptability comes from developing methods and building teams that can not only improve over time but also respond well to changing conditions.
That is why we focus on equipping “leaders of practice” in the middle tier of the education system: district officers, teacher mentors, and education supervisors. These are the people who bridge the gap between stated policy and classroom practice.
A focus on equipping leaders within the education system allows Pratham to multiply their impact. Credit: Pratham USA
We do not just hand over a model. We encourage each leader of practice to first use TaRL themselves in a classroom. They have to experience progress and success in their own context. It is this person who then trains teachers under them and provides guidance on the ground.
It is leaders of practice with whom we co-create tools, build local leadership, establish feedback loops, and embed practices…
It is leaders of practice with whom we co-create tools, build local leadership, establish feedback loops, and embed practices that help governments learn from what works and adapt as needed. That is system strengthening in action. When this cadre of leaders are equipped, supported, and empowered, systems become more agile, more resilient, and more likely to keep delivering, even when circumstances change.
An Education Method that Evolves
TaRL is not a fixed script. It evolves as it is used to suit different contexts, cultures, and constraints.
In India, TaRL is delivered in partnership with governments at sub-national and sub-state levels as well as communities. In Côte d’Ivoire, it has been integrated into public school routines with support from the Ministry of Education. In Zambia, it is part of a national education recovery strategy following the COVID-19 pandemic.
TaRL is not a fixed script. It evolves as it is used to suit different contexts, cultures, and constraints.
We also continuously innovate to make the approach more inclusive and equitable by adapting for local language learners, experimenting with different delivery models based on regional needs, and adapting for a wide variety of children with different backgrounds and capabilities.
This adaptability is not a secondary aim. It is part of how we work and what allows TaRL to stay relevant and rooted, even when the world around it shifts.
Built for Change
In a time when so many solutions fade under pressure, our focus is on building something that holds. TaRL is bold, not because it is complex, but because it is simple, flexible, and designed for the real world.
It is simple enough to deliver. Strong enough to survive disruption. And dynamic enough to keep improving.
We do not know what the next challenge will be. But we know this: when children learn to read, they are better prepared for whatever comes next. That is why we built a solution that doesn’t stand still; it can move with the times.
