Using Student Growth Percentiles to Measure Teacher Effectiveness: Accountability Concerns

• In Event: Effectiveness and Accountability: Measuring School and Teacher Performance

Abstract

Student Growth Percentiles (SGPs) are increasingly being used in evaluations of teacher effectiveness. This study investigates two properties of SGPs: 1) SGP sensitivity to reference group characteristics such as free and reduced lunch (FRL) status and English language learner (ELL) status; and 2) variation in growth across student scores within an SGP level. Math and reading score growth from grade 4 to grade 5 was considered. Results indicate that SGPs are sensitive to FRL and ELL status. Similarly, results indicate significant variation in average growth for students with the same calculated SGP. The implications these findings have on teacher accountability are discussed.

Authors

• Adam Reeger, University of Iowa

• Owen Gaasedelen, The University of Iowa

• Stephen B. Dunbar, University of Iowa

• Catherine Welch, University of Iowa