Miqyas Al Dhad completes Arab World's largest field survey ahead of launching first comprehensive scientific framework to assess Arabic literacy
Abu Dhabi: In a significant milestone towards enhancing Arabic reading proficiency among native students, Arabic Scale - known as 'Miqyas Al Dhad' has successfully concluded the final phase of its comprehensive field survey. This achievement paves the way for the official launch of the Arabic reading scale in the third quarter of this year, following an intensive research effort grounded in advanced scientific methodologies. The field survey was carried out in collaboration with Ministries of Education and school chains across the Arab world and involved the active participation of hundreds of educators and language experts.
The field survey encompassed over 110,000 students from 204 schools across 70 rural and urban areas in nine Arab countries, namely the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Sultanate of Oman, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Kingdom of Morocco, the State of Libya, the Lebanese Republic, and the Republic of Iraq, reflecting the initiative's scope and scale. The field survey was administered digitally using tablets, desktops, and computer labs. Rigorous proctoring was followed to ensure security of survey administration.
In developing the field survey items, several reading frameworks and standards were reviewed and the socio-cognitive framework for reading (Khalifa & Weir, 2009) was utilized. It should be noted that the sociocognitive framework for reading has been used by reputable examination boards such as Cambridge. The key components of the sociocognitive framework for reading comprehension are linguistic knowledge, cognitive processing, background knowledge, and metacognitive strategies. In building the reading items for the survey, a rigorous methodology was followed in terms of recruiting, inducting, training, monitoring and evaluating item writers to ensure the highest standards of item quality.
The Arabic Scale is developed using triangulation scientific research methodology that integrates both quantitative and qualitative analyses of multiple data sources. In addition to data gathered from the field survey on students' reading proficiency, the second data source involved the creation of a large Arabic corpus featuring over 70 million structures and words, derived from more than 8,000 carefully curated Arabic texts from various subject areas, fields and topics reflecting the language's richness, culture, heritage and diversity.
The third data source was via conducting a pairwise comparative study with participation from over 450 Arabic language experts and educators from 18 Arab countries. In this study, participants were given two passages and had to identify which one was more difficult. The data collected from this study was used to create rankings of difficulty for 2,000 passages. These were the basis for the machine learning algorithms of Miqyas Al Dhad readability formulae. Pairwise study is a known methodology in the machine learning field.
Smart and Comprehensive Services / Innovative and Large-scale Solutions
Miqyas Al Dhad offers a comprehensive suite of smart tools and services designed to elevate Arabic reading proficiency and enable accurate assessment of reading ability and text readability. At the Centre of it all is the Reading Scale, an innovative tool that evaluates reading comprehension, empowering educators to assess student reading ability and pinpoint learning needs accurately.
Additional tools include: a validated item bank of reading items suitable for each school grade; a Smart Text Analyzer, an AI-powered tool for evaluating text complexity; and high frequency keyword lists offering a rich academic vocabulary database for every school grade. It also includes 'Find-a-Book', a smart digital hub that provides students, educators, and parents with measured texts and books suitable for their reading levels and interests. Miqyas Al Dhad further supports educators through its innovative Reading Growth Plan, a predictive system that monitors student reading development over time and delivers actionable insights to guide educational planning based on individual needs.
A Scientific Reference for Arabic Educational Development
Miqyas Al Dhad marks a significant milestone in advancing Arabic literacy. By providing standardised, research-based tools, it enables the creation of more effective and responsive educational curricula tailored to the needs of educators. Additionally, it provides educational decision-makers and researchers with accurate data to understand linguistic challenges and devise sustainable solutions. The initiative aims to empower students to use Arabic confidently and efficiently across various academic and professional contexts, establishing new criteria for excellence in Arabic language learning.
About Arabic Scale
Arabic Scale, also known as Miqyas Al Dhad, is a leading company specialising in advanced educational assessment solutions for the Arabic language. Miqyas Al Dhad is the first standardised framework of its kind designed to assess Arabic comprehension ability from Grade 1 to Grade 12, based on scientific and technological foundations that are specifically tailored to cater for the demands of the educational and cultural environment in the Arab world.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
8 hours ago
- The National
How owners can protect their pets during an emergency
An emergency can strike at any time, as in the case of the recent Dubai Marina fire. Luckily, in this instance, all 3,820 residents of the apartment building were evacuated safely. There were also heart-warming stories of animal rescue, but this isn't always the case. One of the best ways to ensure the safety for all family members – including furry friends – is to be proactive and prepared. Here are some expert tips. Evacuate safely first Although it's tempting to stay behind to help a pet, it is advisable to get yourself out first. 'Your safety comes first. Once outside, immediately alert firefighters and emergency workers to the presence and likely location of any pets still inside,' Dr Rachel Shaw, a vet and chief executive of Animal Welfare Abu Dhabi, tells The National. 'Only attempt to rescue pets yourself if it's safe to do so. If circumstances allow, use a leash or carrier to prevent them from a panic-induced escape.' Dr Martin Wyness, founder and chief executive of British Veterinary Centre, agrees. He says if owners can't find their pets, they shouldn't spend precious time trying. 'Getting yourself out has to be the priority,' he says. 'If it is safe to do do, maybe leave doors open so animals can escape on their own. They're adept at using their instincts when in trouble.' Keep a pet kit ready Prepare an emergency bag with pet items such as a leash, pet carrier, food, water and any medication, all stored in an easily accessible location near an exit. 'Your aim is to get out of the space as quickly as you can. With pets, it means having crates handy, so keep proper cat carriers, dog carriers for small dogs and a leash for bigger dogs within reach,' says Wyness. Make an escape plan 'Practise evacuation routes regularly with your pets, and ensure all family members know what to do with pets in tow,' says Shaw. Wyness adds most people are not prepared in the sense of being mindful of their surroundings, which can be a big help. 'I don't think humans think about it enough. How many people actually do what they're meant to when going somewhere new? You know you're supposed to scout out the range, check where the emergency exits are, know where the nearest doctor is and what the emergency phone numbers are, but most people don't know these basics.' Ensure pets have ID and registration This is sometimes overlooked by pet parents, but it is crucial when it comes to ensuring an animal's safety. In Abu Dhabi, pet owners must legally register cats and dogs and have them microchipped under the Animal Ownership System initiative that launched in February. 'Ensure your pet wears a collar with an ID tag and is microchipped. Register them on the Abu Dhabi Municipality's Companion Animal Registration System via Tamm. This allows for faster reunification if you are separated during evacuation,' says Shaw. An effective way to reunite pets with their owner is through microchipping, as anyone who finds a lost pet can use websites such as or call a vet to track down the owner quickly. Plan for when you're away Emergencies don't always happen when you're at home, so it's important to have a plan in place for when you're not around. Give a spare key to a trustworthy neighbour, friend or sitter who is familiar with your home and whom your pets are familiar with. Share clear instructions on where your pets are likely to be found, where their carriers and supplies are kept, and whom to call in an emergency. It's also worth keeping contact information for a vet or pet boarding facility somewhere visible, and letting close friends or family know travel plans, so someone can step in quickly if needed. Finally, consider using pet alert stickers on windows or doors – these notify emergency responders that animals are inside. Some stickers include the number and type of pets in the home, which can help civil defence teams prioritise their rescue efforts.
Zawya
9 hours ago
- Zawya
UNESCO appoints Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation to high-level committee overseeing global teacher study
Dubai, UAE: The International Task Force on Teachers has formally appointed Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences as a member of the High-Level Steering Committee responsible for guiding a comprehensive global study by UNESCO on the status of teachers worldwide. The decision was announced during the most recent meeting of the Teacher Task Force Steering Committee, held within the framework of Education 2030 goals. The session was attended by Ms Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, and Dr. Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of Hamdan Foundation, alongside international experts and task force members from various countries. Dr. Khalifa Al Suwaidi stated that the Foundation's inclusion in the High-Level Committee reflects its longstanding regional and international leadership in supporting teachers and promoting educational initiatives, under the direction of Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Supreme President of the Foundation. His Excellency emphasized the Foundation's commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for teachers through improved policies, development opportunities, and societal recognition—factors that directly influence the sustainability and quality of education systems. The UNESCO-led study is a landmark initiative designed to establish a robust and evidence-based understanding of the challenges facing teachers and the teaching profession globally. It comes at a time of increasing teacher shortages and declining interest in the profession among younger generations. The study also aims to inform international policy and strategy development to enhance teacher support, improve working conditions, and elevate the professional status of teachers. Hamdan Foundation's participation in the committee underscores its role as a strategic partner in global efforts to advance education—particularly in reforming and innovating teacher preparation and training systems. Through its membership, the Foundation will provide technical and knowledge-based support to help ensure the success of this global initiative, in line with its mission to enhance education quality and promote educational excellence. Ms Stefania Giannini expressed her appreciation to participating institutions, commending the Teacher Task Force for keeping the issue of teachers at the forefront of the global education agenda. She also stressed the importance of joint efforts to build education systems that can meet the demands of today's world—with teachers at the core of the learning process. The High-Level Steering Committee includes leading education experts, representatives of international organizations, and academic institutions. It is tasked with overseeing the implementation of the study, validating its findings, and contributing to the development of an expanded global report. The final report will be presented to UNESCO member states and will include policy recommendations to strengthen the teaching profession and ensure the availability of qualified, motivated teachers worldwide.
Zawya
9 hours ago
- Zawya
Miqyas Al Dhad completes Arab World's largest field survey ahead of launching first comprehensive scientific framework to assess Arabic literacy
Abu Dhabi: In a significant milestone towards enhancing Arabic reading proficiency among native students, Arabic Scale - known as 'Miqyas Al Dhad' has successfully concluded the final phase of its comprehensive field survey. This achievement paves the way for the official launch of the Arabic reading scale in the third quarter of this year, following an intensive research effort grounded in advanced scientific methodologies. The field survey was carried out in collaboration with Ministries of Education and school chains across the Arab world and involved the active participation of hundreds of educators and language experts. The field survey encompassed over 110,000 students from 204 schools across 70 rural and urban areas in nine Arab countries, namely the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Sultanate of Oman, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Kingdom of Morocco, the State of Libya, the Lebanese Republic, and the Republic of Iraq, reflecting the initiative's scope and scale. The field survey was administered digitally using tablets, desktops, and computer labs. Rigorous proctoring was followed to ensure security of survey administration. In developing the field survey items, several reading frameworks and standards were reviewed and the socio-cognitive framework for reading (Khalifa & Weir, 2009) was utilized. It should be noted that the sociocognitive framework for reading has been used by reputable examination boards such as Cambridge. The key components of the sociocognitive framework for reading comprehension are linguistic knowledge, cognitive processing, background knowledge, and metacognitive strategies. In building the reading items for the survey, a rigorous methodology was followed in terms of recruiting, inducting, training, monitoring and evaluating item writers to ensure the highest standards of item quality. The Arabic Scale is developed using triangulation scientific research methodology that integrates both quantitative and qualitative analyses of multiple data sources. In addition to data gathered from the field survey on students' reading proficiency, the second data source involved the creation of a large Arabic corpus featuring over 70 million structures and words, derived from more than 8,000 carefully curated Arabic texts from various subject areas, fields and topics reflecting the language's richness, culture, heritage and diversity. The third data source was via conducting a pairwise comparative study with participation from over 450 Arabic language experts and educators from 18 Arab countries. In this study, participants were given two passages and had to identify which one was more difficult. The data collected from this study was used to create rankings of difficulty for 2,000 passages. These were the basis for the machine learning algorithms of Miqyas Al Dhad readability formulae. Pairwise study is a known methodology in the machine learning field. Smart and Comprehensive Services / Innovative and Large-scale Solutions Miqyas Al Dhad offers a comprehensive suite of smart tools and services designed to elevate Arabic reading proficiency and enable accurate assessment of reading ability and text readability. At the Centre of it all is the Reading Scale, an innovative tool that evaluates reading comprehension, empowering educators to assess student reading ability and pinpoint learning needs accurately. Additional tools include: a validated item bank of reading items suitable for each school grade; a Smart Text Analyzer, an AI-powered tool for evaluating text complexity; and high frequency keyword lists offering a rich academic vocabulary database for every school grade. It also includes 'Find-a-Book', a smart digital hub that provides students, educators, and parents with measured texts and books suitable for their reading levels and interests. Miqyas Al Dhad further supports educators through its innovative Reading Growth Plan, a predictive system that monitors student reading development over time and delivers actionable insights to guide educational planning based on individual needs. A Scientific Reference for Arabic Educational Development Miqyas Al Dhad marks a significant milestone in advancing Arabic literacy. By providing standardised, research-based tools, it enables the creation of more effective and responsive educational curricula tailored to the needs of educators. Additionally, it provides educational decision-makers and researchers with accurate data to understand linguistic challenges and devise sustainable solutions. The initiative aims to empower students to use Arabic confidently and efficiently across various academic and professional contexts, establishing new criteria for excellence in Arabic language learning. About Arabic Scale Arabic Scale, also known as Miqyas Al Dhad, is a leading company specialising in advanced educational assessment solutions for the Arabic language. Miqyas Al Dhad is the first standardised framework of its kind designed to assess Arabic comprehension ability from Grade 1 to Grade 12, based on scientific and technological foundations that are specifically tailored to cater for the demands of the educational and cultural environment in the Arab world.
