{"id":2985,"date":"2026-06-15T12:41:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T04:41:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seedssg.com\/site\/?p=2985"},"modified":"2026-06-15T12:55:20","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T04:55:20","slug":"measuring-ssm-schools-against-control-groups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seedssg.com\/site\/2026\/06\/measuring-ssm-schools-against-control-groups\/","title":{"rendered":"Measuring SSM Schools Against Control Groups"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Saya Suka Membaca (SSM) is a literacy program run by a nonprofit organization \u2018Yayasan Tunas Aksara\u2019.  The curriculum is designed to be picked up and used by the average Indonesian teacher with little teacher training, as is often the case in rural areas.  Its premises are simplicity, spiraling repetition, and multi-modal engagement for the students.  In short, the program was designed to help teachers make literacy learning accessible and fun<\/em>.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Until now SSM had not tried to measure its impact due to capacity issues.  Then last year, we started measuring impact through a quasi-experimental random controlled trial in Kupang (in East Indonesia).  Eight schools in the rural outskirts of Kupang were chosen to run the SSM curriculum and matched with eight \u201csister schools\u201d that served as a control group (these schools are scheduled to receive the SSM curriculum this year). Only first grade students were taught and measured.  Below are some of our preliminary findings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1.  Schools using the SSM curriculum outperformed schools using the national curricula by a moderate 15% in terms of end-of-year progress.  Some major factors that prevent the differential from being higher were:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n