In the September 3 edition of Kappan, researchers summarized their recent analysis of the evaluations of 8,000 Massachusetts middle and high school teachers and the subsequent college attendance patterns of their students. They use Value-Added Measures (VAMs) to capture the extent to which a teacher contributes to their students’ performance beyond what would be expected. This research is uniquely focused on teachers’ long term impact on their students’ success in enrolling in college and attending high quality post-secondary institutions. The study also includes measures like attendance, grades, and behavior that reflect students’ attitude toward school.

The researchers conclude that there were two groups of teachers who had a significant impact on students’ success in enrolling in college and in attending high quality institutions. The first group of teachers were good at improving their students' attendance, grades, and behavior and had a significant impact on their students' enrollment in two- and four-year colleges. The second group of teachers, on the other hand, were good at raising student test scores and had a greater impact on the quality of the colleges that their students attended. 

Perhaps most importantly, the researchers show that those teachers who were good at improving test scores did not typically have a significant impact on attendance, grades, and behavior, and vice versa.  

This research suggests that in the face of the extraordinarily complex set of tasks required to significantly impact their students’ future, most teachers focus on teaching certain skills at the expense of others. 

This research reinforces what we already know—that teachers are key to student growth. And, in order to be successful in addressing all of the skills students need, teachers need more support.

At Riveting Results, we provide a comprehensive 9th and 10th grade ELA program that gives teachers the time and the brain space required to meet all of their students' needs. We empower teachers to provide both the structure that all students need to be productive and also the instructional activities and feedback that push students to higher levels of reading and writing performance. With the right program behind them, teachers can be both rigorous and nurturing. 

Let's talk about how we can support your efforts to make all of your teachers and students successful.

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