An Impact Evaluation of Bridge International Academies

This RCT will evaluate a new approach to education in developing countries pioneered by Bridge International Academies that uses e-reader technology to deliver highly-scripted lessons to teachers, radically increase teacher monitoring and accountability, and track student learning. The evaluation takes advantage of a two-year scholarship program that randomly provided scholarships to 2,000 grade 6-7 pupils allowing them to attend Bridge schools in Kenya. The project will focus on broad measures of student learning and development outcomes including both “hard skills” (e.g. math and literacy) and “soft skills” (e.g. creativity and executive function). In conjunction with a separate analysis of students in lower grades, we will also explore heterogeneous effects by student characteristics (e.g. gender), school characteristics, and local education market characteristics to shed light on mechanisms. Ultimately, we hope to trace impacts through secondary education completion and later observe labor market, fertility, and other long-run outcomes.