McGovern-Dole Togo STARS Evaluation
From 2020 to 2025, the $22 million STARS (Santé, Transformation et Apprentissage pour une Réussite) project, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and led by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) sought to enhance literacy and primary education in 138 schools in Togo’s Savanes and Kara regions. The project reduced student hunger, increased and sustained enrollment, improved instructional quality, fostered parental involvement, and ensured safe learning environments.
School-to-School International (STS) served as the independent external evaluator for STARS, supporting learning, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the life of the project. STS evaluated the impact of the school meal program on literacy outcomes and classroom attentiveness and the systems in place to sustain the interventions beyond the life of the project. STS used qualitative and quantitative methods to assess the progress of key program outcomes over the life of the project in 80 sampled schools. These methods assessed if the project was on track to meet its objectives and provided recommendations for improvements. Tools included an Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA); surveys for students, head teachers, and parents; and tools for classroom observation, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews.
Baseline Evaluation (2021): STS conducted the first large-scale assessment across 77 project schools, working with a regional research partner to gather data from students, school leaders, and parents.
- Assessed 1,157 Grade 3 students (girls and boys equally represented)
- Surveyed 77 head teachers and 228 parents
- Established a clear starting point for literacy, learning conditions, and family engagement
Midterm Evaluation (2023): STS led the midterm evaluation across 80 schools, measuring progress and identifying opportunities to strengthen implementation and sustainability. This evaluation focused on what was working, what needed adjustment, and how results could be sustained—helping CRS and partners sharpen impact during the second half of the project.
- Assessed 1,572 students
- Surveyed 80 head teachers and 240 parents
- Delivered actionable findings and recommendations to guide mid-course improvements
Final Evaluation (2025): STS led the final evaluation across 80 schools to assess whether STARS achieved its intended results and document key lessons, good practices, and opportunities for scale and replication. Findings were shared with CRS, the Government of Togo, USDA, and other stakeholders—and contributed to broader learning on effective literacy and nutrition programming.
- Assessed 1,571 students
- Surveyed 80 head teachers and 239 parents
- Documented results and key lessons, and delivered recommendations for future scaling
In partnership with Catholic Relief Services & USDA
Related Resources
- Executive Summary for STARS (2025)
- Togo McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program – STARS: Final Evaluation (2025)
- STARS Midterm Evaluation Executive Summary (2023)
- Togo McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program – STARS: Midterm Evaluation (2023)
- Togo McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Project: Baseline Evaluation (2021)
Dates: 2021 – 2025