Education Topics

• Research Methods and Reviews
• Teacher Quality and Compensation
• Value-Added Methods
• Curricula and Computers in the Classroom
• Charter Schools and School Choice
• College Access
• Career-Focused Education
• At-Risk Youth
• School Leadership
• After-School Initiatives
• Academic and Nonacademic Competencies
• Clients

Evaluating How Teacher Quality and Distribution Impacts Students

Mathematica is taking a two-pronged approach to understanding how teacher quality impacts student achievement, one of the most important topics in education policy circles. In the first study, Mathematica researchers are working with the Urban Institute to examine issues surrounding the distribution of teacher quality across a large number of districts nationally. Using value-added analysis, researchers are measuring the teacher quality distribution within 30 districts around the country. The team is also collecting information on district policies directly and indirectly related to the distribution of teachers and exploring the relationship of these policies to teacher quality distribution.

In the second study, Mathematica and partners Instructional Research Group (IRG) may pilot test and refine an observation measure for judging the quality of mathematics instruction among fourth- and fifth-grade teachers developed by IRG.