Thompson: Teaching Takes a Team Effort

Would it make sense to fire a wide receiver because the team lost its quarterback and the replacement could not get him the ball? Teaching also is a team effort, and research has shown that a quarter of teacher value-added can be explained by the quality of the teachers' peers in the past. That is why "reformers" should consider the NBER paper "Match Quality" by C. Kirabo Jackson. (hat tip to Matt Dicarlo) It also shows that the peer effects, of having fellow teachers who are a good match for each other, can explain 25% of a teachers' value-added to student performance.  There is no evidence that an effective teacher in a high-performing school would be equally effective in the very different world of low-income neighborhood schools.  Common sense indicates that it takes different personalities to succeed in different types of educational environments.  Jackson shows that it would make more sense to create environments in poor schools so that they can retain teaching talent. - JT (@drjohnthompson) 

Comments

[Gaby]

I found this very interesting considering what is going on within my school's English department. We feel that it is important for teachers to get out of their classrooms to observe others. Our thinking is that this will help those who need help begin their reflection process.