Mercedes sits thoughtfully at the back of her classroom at El Camino Feliz, the soft glow of morning light catching the hopeful faces of her students. In their hands, a single tablet passes from child to child — not for play, but for a purpose. They’re taking turns with a new digital literacy assessment, one by one, each listening, reading, and answering through an app designed to measure their reading levels. Each turn is a small miracle, each smile a testament to how learning is changing.
A Family Legacy
For Mercedes and her husband, Carlos, every moment like this feels like a gift. “We are part of the first cohort of Edify’s Core Schools¹,” she says, her voice full of calm gratitude. “We graduated in 2022. Edify has always taken us into account in their new programs. We are very grateful for the reading assessment tool they introduced to us, and how accessible it is. My students were excited to take a test that felt more like a game. It was quick, easy, and gave us meaningful insights to help them grow.”
Third-grader Lydia remembers it well. “I always thought exams were difficult and not very fun. But when I took the reading test with the tablet, it was easy to put on the headphones, listen to the instructions, and complete the questions. It was fun to use a tablet to read and listen. I really liked it!”
The tool, part of Edify’s innovative literacy project built around the One-Test app, now helps teachers across Latin America and Africa accurately assess reading levels and gather the data they need to support each student.
An Echo of Change
The story of El Camino Feliz is echoed in classrooms across Latin America and Africa, where technology is opening doors that were once thought to be closed. According to the World Bank, ‘Students who use technology-supported learning tools can experience up to a 30% improvement in reading and math outcomes.’² When intentionally woven into the fabric of learning, technology makes lessons more interactive, more engaging, and most importantly, more effective.
Research affirms what teachers like Mercedes witness daily: when technology is integrated, students are more motivated and confident. As education expert Andreas Schleicher reminds us, “Technology can amplify great teaching, but great technology cannot replace poor teaching. When used well, it can make learning more fun, more collaborative, and more creative.”³
Yet even the best digital tools cannot replace the warmth of a caring teacher. At El Camino Feliz, technology is not the star, but a supporting partner, strengthening the dedication and creativity of teachers who know how to guide, inspire, and nurture each child. Here, learning is tailored to every student. With tools that turn assessments into moments of discovery, classrooms like this one are preparing students not just to pass tests, but to thrive.
