Project description
Mixed-Methods Investigation into Learning, Assessment, Progression and Support MILAPS is a collaborative research programme between RESEP (Stellenbosch University), the University of Cape Town, and the Optima Trust. The project combines quantitative and qualitative approaches to investigate how South African learners progress through the school system, how assessment and remediation function in practice, and how socio-emotional skills influence learning outcomes.
Key themes:
- Learning loss and remediation
- Repetition and learner progression
- Assessment and teacher practice
- Socio-emotional skills and gender differences
- Classroom observation and pedagogy
- Capacity building for education researchers
Funders and Partners
Research on Socio-Economic Policy (RESEP), Researchers at the University of Cape Town, Optima Trust
Our researchers were drawn from a range of South African universities, research organisations, private consultancies and the Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate of the DBE.
Project outputs
Working papers & reports
Clayton, Ros. Linguistic interdependence? Foundation Phase mastery in home language as a predictor of grade 4 repetition and EFAL marks. Research on Socio-Economic Policy (RESEP), 2025
Euston-Brown, Angela. An Exploratory Analysis of Schoolbased Assessment before, during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic in Gauteng Research on Socio-Economic Policy (RESEP), 2025.
Calyton, Ros.The impact of early grade repetition on test scores: Evidence from a regression discontinuity design in South Africa Research on Socio-Economic Policy (RESEP), 2022b.
Hoadley, Ursula. Wills, Gabrielle. Bertram, Carol & van der Berg, Servaas, Schooling and learning? How South African students get through high school despite low academic outcomes in the early grades University of Cape Town, Research on Socio-Economic Policy (RESEP), University of KwaZulu Natal, 2025.
Policy Briefs
Goldmann, Julian. Addressing spatial inequalities in early grade literacyResearch on Socio-Economic Policy (RESEP), 2025
Swelindawo, Lunga. School Infrastructure Trends in South Africa based on three versions of the School Monitoring Survey Research on Socio-Economic Policy (RESEP), 2025
Clayton, Ros, How home language mastery predicts early learning outcomesResearch on Socio-Economic Policy (RESEP), 2025
Clayton, Ros, The impact of early grade repetition on learner marks Research on Socio-Economic Policy (RESEP), 2025
Deghaye, Nicola. Leach, Grace,Avoiding inaccuracy: How should learner disability status be identified in EMIS? Research on Socio-Economic Policy (RESEP), 2025
Wills, Gabrielle. Hofmeyr, Heleen. Heterogeneity in South African classrooms Research on Socio-Economic Policy (RESEP), 2025
Media coverage
To view media coverage related to the MILAPS project, click here.
