The impact of teacher certification on student success on high school assessments

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine what, if any, impact teachers with highly qualified status who teach courses related to high stakes tests such as the high school assessments have upon student learning compared to teachers assigned to teach similar courses who only have provisional status. The measurement tools were the Maryland English 10 and Algebra High School Assessments. This study involved the English 10 and Algebra data from the May 2008 test administration. A higher percentage of students taught by certified teachers passed both assessments compared to students taught by conditionally certified teachers, although there were certain factors that could have had an impact on the results. Research in the area of teacher certifications impact on student achievement needs to continue as the focus on high stakes assessments grows. To see the complete paper, please contact Goucher College Archives & Special Collections at archives@goucher.edu.