How Do Teachers Matter? The Association of Teacher Characteristics and Student Achievement Gap

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: Belonging Supports, Resources, and Learning Outcomes

Abstract

It is widely acknowledged that teachers matter more to student achievement than other aspects of schooling. But the mechanisms of how are measurable teacher characteristics associated with students’ academic achievement have not been fully revealed. The present study investigates the moderation effects of selected teacher characteristics on the achievement gap related to race/ethnicity. Moderated multiple regression analysis of nationally representative data indicates considerable variations of the detected moderation effects of teachers’ experience, education, certification status, and certification route across different race/ethnicity and SES groups. Notably, evidence suggests that alternative certification programs might be a promising approach to help close the achievement gap.

Author

• Shuai Li, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill