Page 41 - ALEF EDUCATION PR REPORT - FEBRUARY 2024

2/7/24, 11:06 AM Alef Education Collaborates with MetaMetrics® to Launch Arabic Reading Scale to Boost Literacy Rate in the MENA Region | Al B…
students’ levels and create data-driven plans for their individual development. At the same
time, parents will understand their children’s reading levels so that they can further develop
and improve their reading skills.

Recent data from the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) shows that six
Arab countries scored an average of 406 points in their PISA exams, while the international
OECD average is 480. The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)
shows that eight Arab countries scored an average of 432 points in elementary school and
441 points in secondary school, while the global average is 500. The Progress in International
Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) shows that seven Arab countries scored an average of 441,
while the worldwide average is 500, underscoring the urgency to address the literacy crisis
among today’s learners. The need for action requires a reimagined solution: an Arabic
reading scale powered by the Lexile scale, which will serve as the foundation for a unified
ecosystem of assessments and instructional resources.
Geoffrey Alphonso, CEO of Alef Education, said: “We are delighted to be working with
MetaMetrics® to develop an Arabic reading scale that will help increase the literacy rate of
learners in the MENA region. We are committed to a long-term strategic alliance to develop
and deliver educational products using an Arabic reading framework. The development of an
Arabic reading scale with a universal framework to measure the level of students and Arabic
texts will support student growth in Arabic language learning through actionable learning
measurements. Arabic language learning is at the center of our work and is a key factor in
educational success in the region. We are committed to fostering a lifelong love of Arabic
and improving literacy skills in the region. The partnership represents a shared vision to
positively impact literacy and contribute to educational progress in the MENA region.”

Alistair Van Moere, President of MetaMetrics®, said: “We are excited to partner with Alef
Education to introduce an Arabic reading scale built upon the Lexile® Framework for
Reading in the region to improve the literacy rate of learners. We aim to promote equity and
excellence in education and accelerate learning for all students by providing innovative
reading and assessment scales to improve teaching and learning standards. We look forward
to working with Alef Education to make a lasting impact on the educational landscape and
advance literacy in the region.”

An Arabic reading scale provides a universal unit of measurement for the Arabic language. It
measures the level of any text and the Arabic reading ability of a student. The scale is
scientifically based and will be developed by a team of psychometricians, researchers, and
educators who have extensive experience developing similar scales and understand the
unique context of the Arab world, including its various dialects and cultural nuances. A field
study is being conducted across the Arab world in consultation with governments in the
region.

Alef Education and MetaMetrics® are dedicated to fostering a new era of literacy in the
MENA region by developing and implementing an Arabic reading scale. This transformative
initiative has the potential to redefine educational standards and equip a generation of
learners with the necessary tools for success.

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