The Government of Mali’s investments in education over the past two decades have made inroads into the persistent problem of student achievement. Partnerships with U.S. Government donors: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture McGovern Dole Food for Education Program (USDA) to support a national reading framework and an evidence-based literacy approach and bilingual curriculum have notably increased the proportion of children who can read at grade level by Grade 2. Mali is poised to capitalize on this investment in early grade literacy through the $36 Million USAID Doniya Taabalo (the paths to knowledge) activity which expands bilingual curriculum to Grade 3 and 4, includes mathematics for Grades 2, 3, and 4, and includes social-emotional learning providing a solid foundation for primary school learners.