Smart Readers Liberia, Inc.
Every Child Must Learn Literacy Program is designed to ensure that every Liberian child, regardless of background or ability, gains the foundational reading and writing skills needed to succeed in school and life. Its vision is that every child in Liberia develops strong literacy skills and cultivates a love for reading. The mission is to provide systematic, evidence-based instruction while building a culture of reading within homes, schools, and communities. The program emphasizes early intervention, structured literacy practices, and sustainability so that literacy development continues beyond the classroom.
The program targets children in Kindergarten through Grade 3 as its primary focus, while also extending support to struggling readers up to Grade 6. Special provisions are made for children with learning difficulties, disabilities, or other barriers to learning by adapting teaching strategies to meet their unique needs. Entry begins with a baseline assessment, after which children are placed into tiers of instruction based on their ability level. This ensures that every learner receives the right level of support to progress effectively.
Instruction is structured around the Science of Reading and aligned with the Orton–Gillingham approach, which emphasizes multisensory, explicit, and sequential teaching methods. Lessons focus on five core components: phonemic awareness, phonics and decoding, fluency, vocabulary development, and comprehension. Writing and spelling are integrated into the program to strengthen children’s overall literacy. To serve learners at different levels, the program is delivered in three tiers: Tier 1 provides whole-group foundational instruction, Tier 2 delivers small-group targeted intervention, and Tier 3 offers one-on-one tutoring for learners with significant challenges.
The learning environment is flexible and resourceful, making use of both indoor and outdoor spaces. The indoor literacy center includes a small teaching wall, a reading nook, and group learning tables, while the outdoor space is used for reading circles, storytelling sessions, and vocabulary games. In addition, mobile book bags and a lending library extend literacy learning into homes and communities, helping children build daily reading habits.
Staffing is central to program success. A Program Coordinator oversees the daily operations, scheduling, and reporting, while a Lead Literacy Specialist designs lessons and trains instructors. Trained tutors and volunteers facilitate group and individual lessons, supported by a Family Engagement Officer who works directly with parents and caregivers. An Assessment Officer is responsible for conducting screenings, monitoring learner progress, and maintaining records. Volunteers are recruited, trained through a 24-hour pre-service program, and continuously supported through monthly coaching sessions to ensure effective lesson delivery.
The program runs on a 36-week cycle aligned with the school year. Each daily literacy block lasts 60 to 90 minutes and begins with a short phonological awareness warm-up, followed by structured phonics, fluency practice, vocabulary building, and comprehension activities. Each lesson closes with an exit ticket and updates to reading logs. Mondays through Thursdays are dedicated to instruction, while Fridays are reserved for assessments, storytelling, and Family Literacy Hours. Optional Saturday sessions provide library time, reading clubs, and catch-up tutoring.
Family and community engagement is a defining feature of the program. Parents are invited to monthly Family Literacy Nights, where they learn simple strategies to support their children at home. Children borrow take-home book bags with reading logs for parents to sign, and community storytelling events bring in elders, churches, and local leaders to reinforce a culture of literacy. In addition, the program makes use of radio broadcasts and WhatsApp messages to send families weekly reading tips, ensuring that even those who cannot attend in person are engaged.
Monitoring and evaluation are central to tracking learner outcomes. Entry assessments measure children’s phonics skills, oral fluency, and comprehension. Progress is tracked through bi-weekly probes and quarterly benchmarks, with results feeding into each child’s Individual Learning Plan (ILP). This data-driven approach ensures that instruction remains responsive and effective. Key expected outcomes include significant improvements in oral reading fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary, as well as high levels of parental involvement in children’s literacy journeys.
Materials used in the program are both purchased and locally created. Decodable books, flashcards, sand trays, and magnetic letters form part of the instructional kit, while locally made tools such as bottle-cap letters, handmade flashcards, and chalkboards help reduce costs. Books are provided in English. A lending library system allows children to borrow books and encourages families to read together.
Safeguarding and inclusion are prioritized throughout the program. A child protection policy governs safe sign-in and sign-out, consent for photographs, and clear referral pathways in case of concerns. Inclusive teaching practices, such as large-print texts and multisensory learning methods, ensure that children with disabilities or learning difficulties are not left behind. The program also promotes learner wellbeing through structured routines, praise, and predictable classroom environments that support emotional safety.
Financial sustainability is achieved through a combination of donor support, volunteer engagement, and community-driven initiatives. Annual budgets cover staff stipends, training, materials, books, and monitoring systems. Cost-efficiency is enhanced by partnerships with schools, universities, NGOs, and private sponsors. Local fundraising, including book drives and branded merchandise, also supports ongoing needs.
The first-year implementation timeline begins with staff and volunteer recruitment, training, and baseline assessments in the first two months. Instruction and community engagement activities run throughout the academic year, with a midline assessment at six months to adjust strategies. The program concludes with end-line assessments, learner celebrations, and reports for stakeholders. This cycle not only improves literacy outcomes but also builds long-term community commitment to children’s education.
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