British Council – Cuauhtémoc Connected

British Council - Cuauhtémoc Connected

Americas

2019

Countries

mexico

Lead M&E Consultant(s)

Nicky Hockly

Project Overview

Developed by the British Council, the Cuauhtémoc Connected project aimed to provide quality English language lessons to schools in the underprivileged district of Cuauhtémoc in Mexico City, through a combination of remote (video conference) and f2f lessons, in three secondary schools. TCE carried out the summative evaluation of this 2-year project.

Approaches & Outputs

Using a mixed methods approach, TCE carried out RCTs (see above), as well as quantitative data collection via online interviews with all beneficiaries. RCTs (randomised controlled trials) were carried out by a local team observing classes in participating and non-participating classrooms in the three schools. Outputs included an M&E plan, log frame and research instruments (including RCT protocols); qualitative and quantitative data collection. Liaison with and reporting to stakeholders, data analysis, reporting of findings and recommendations.

Impact On

3 schools in Cuauhtémoc district in Mexico City; 3 school directors; 5 teachers and 3 British Council remote facilitators; hundreds of learners & their parents.

Challenges

The f2f M&E team carrying out classroom observations as part of the RCTs had to travel in pairs to schools, given the high levels of insecurity in the district. Learners in the Cuauhtémoc district live with high levels of drugs and gang violence, and often miss school or show little interest in learning or their own futures. Parents and learners were involved and consulted in the project, resulting in a change of attitude among well over half of these beneficiaries towards their language learning and their future prospects.

British Council – Cuauhtémoc Connected