Global Development and Research Initiative

Project Background

Rural Bangladesh parents (often first-generation learners) lack school info/home support knowledge. This RCT tested monthly one-to-one parent-teacher meetings (13 rounds over 2 years) sharing individualized report cards on progress/attendance/homework + home support tips.
76 Khulna/Satkhira govt primary schools (40 treatment/36 control); tracked 4,000+ Grades 3-5 students via project tests + PSC exams, parent/student/teacher surveys. Results: +0.26 SD Year 1, +0.38 SD Year 2 (reading/writing/math/science/general knowledge); better attitudes/behavior, parental help/monitoring, less absenteeism—low-cost scalability via existing mandates.

Roles of GDRI

Capacity Development and Intervention Design: Adapted model for rural/low-literacy context (face-to-face); developed guidelines for monthly 15-min meetings, simple report cards (scores/attendance), DPE/schedule alignment.
Field Implementation and Community Engagement: Organized intro meetings/sensitization; coordinated head teachers for scheduling/invitations/reminders/logistics; supported 13 rounds of individual meetings on progress/homework/attendance.
Data Management, Cleaning, and Analysis: Administered baseline/mid/endline tests (math/English/Bengali/science/reading/writing/GK/IQ) with enumerators/external graders; surveys on involvement/time/attitudes/behavior/absenteeism; unannounced visits for monitoring/fidelity; data entry/cleaning/analysis datasets for European Economic Review; policy dissemination on no-cost implementation.

Our expertise lies in designing and implementing rigorous, large-scale empirical research—especially RCTs, mixed-methods studies, and impact evaluations—across education, gender, health, agriculture, crisis response, and climate adaptation in real-world Bangladeshi settings. We specialize in translating complex research questions into actionable study designs, ensuring methodological rigor while remaining sensitive to local contexts and constraints.

Our team has extensive experience in survey design, instrument development, and high-frequency data collection using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. We are proficient in managing large datasets, applying advanced econometric techniques, and ensuring data quality through robust monitoring and validation systems. From baseline to endline, we maintain strict adherence to ethical standards and research protocols.

We also excel in working closely with government agencies, NGOs, and local communities to co-design interventions and ensure policy relevance. Our work emphasizes generating evidence that is not only academically sound but also practically useful for decision-makers. We have a strong track record in producing policy briefs, academic papers, and dissemination materials tailored to diverse audiences.

In addition, we bring expertise in capacity building, training enumerators and field supervisors, and strengthening local research ecosystems. By combining technical excellence with deep contextual understanding, we aim to contribute meaningful insights that inform policy, improve program effectiveness, and drive sustainable development outcomes in Bangladesh.

Parent-Teacher Meetings to Improve Rural School Learning

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