Stepping Stones is proud to release our 2024 Impact Report, which presents a comprehensive overview of the tangible changes we have made in the past year for children in need through our online and offline programs.
Through rigorous pre- and post-program surveys, we evaluated students’ growth in competence, cognition, skills, and interests, assessing the impact of our work in English learning, digital literacy, and social-emotional learning.
English Program: Inspiring Motivation & Building Strong Foundations
For over 18 years, Stepping Stones has been dedicated to improving students’ motivation and confidence in learning English, helping them prepare for future academic and career success.
- Noticeable Improvement in Learning Attitudes
Our evaluation results show that students’ attitudes toward English improved more than toward any other core subject. Among 337 surveyed students, the percentage of those who said they “really liked” English rose from 45.77% to 50.74%, and those who found English “easy” increased from 57.75% to 63.50%. This demonstrates the positive influence of our interventions.
- Growing Confidence in Speaking English
Students’ confidence in using English has significantly increased across different contexts. For instance, the percentage of students who felt confident speaking English in class rose by 17.05%, and those who felt confident understanding some English increased by 13.70%. Building this confidence marks an important step toward effective communication.
- Measurable Progress in Speaking Skills
To further evaluate our teaching outcomes, we conducted pre- and post-program oral tests with 147 primary students in Shanghai. Results showed clear progress across all grades, with Grade 2 and Grade 5 students improving by 32.52 and 27.81 percentage points, respectively. This highlights how a supportive and interactive learning environment can effectively enhance students’ oral communication skills.
Digital Literacy Program: Building Core Skills & Sparking Creativity
Our Digital Literacy Program helps students understand essential digital concepts and develop the creativity and critical thinking needed for the digital age.
- Strengthening Core Digital Skills
Based on data from 530 students, our courses significantly improved students’ confidence in digital skills. The proportion of students confident in finding information online increased by 12.52%, and those confident in using visual programming tools rose by 12.75%. These practical skills lay a solid foundation for future innovation and learning.
- Enhancing Interest and Value Recognition
Beyond skills, students’ attitudes toward technology have become more positive. The number of students who enjoy using computers increased by 12.40%, and those who believe computer science is useful for their future rose by 13.19%. Students are beginning to see digital skills as powerful tools for personal growth and opportunity.
Social-emotional Learning (SEL): Fostering Emotional Awareness & Inner Resilience
Our SEL Program supports students in developing emotional awareness, self-management, and social understanding.
- Enhanced Emotional Awareness
By creating a safe and respectful classroom environment, we encourage students to recognize and express their emotions. After completing the program, the percentage of students who rated their self-awareness as “high” or “very high” increased from 72.34% to 78.72%, an 8.82% rise – showing that students are becoming more in tune with their inner world.
- Positive Shifts in Emotional Regulation
Students have shown healthier emotional management and interpersonal behaviors. They are expressing emotions through language more often, showing respect for differing opinions, and recovering from negative emotions more effectively. This demonstrates that they are applying what they’ve learned to real-life situations, developing stronger emotional resilience.
The results of 2024 are highly encouraging. Across all three focus areas – English learning, digital literacy, and social-emotional development – Stepping Stones has made measurable progress in improving students’ skills, confidence, and overall well-being.
These outcomes reaffirm the lasting value of our programs and our unwavering commitment to our mission – to improve the education and general welfare of disadvantaged children in China.
Looking ahead, we will continue to refine our programs and respond to students’ evolving needs – ensuring that every child has the skills, support, and opportunities they need to thrive in the future.
Click here to read the full version of our impact report.