Short answer
Design and implement teacher certification and professional development programs that are rigorously evaluated for their impact on student outcomes.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- Education Policy Analysis Archives (2004)
- Method
- Quantitative comparative analysis
- Sample
- 35 National Board Certified teachers and their students, compared against a cohort of non-certified teachers.
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Teachers achieving National Board Certification demonstrate a statistically significant positive impact on their students' academic performance in core subjects. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2004 study published in Education Policy Analysis Archives. Using Quantitative comparative analysis with 35 National Board Certified teachers and their students, compared against a cohort of non-certified teachers., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Design and implement teacher certification and professional development programs that are rigorously evaluated for their impact on student outcomes.
National Board Certification Correlates with Measurable Student Academic Gains
Teachers achieving National Board Certification demonstrate a statistically significant positive impact on their students' academic performance in core subjects.
Education Policy Analysis Archives · 2004
Key Findings
- 01Students in classrooms of National Board Certified Teachers surpassed their peers in non-certified teachers' classrooms in nearly three-quarters of the academic performance comparisons.
- 02Approximately one-third of these observed differences in student achievement were statistically significant.
- 03No statistically significant differences were found when students of non-Board certified teachers showed greater gains.
Application
Design takeaway
Design and implement teacher certification and professional development programs that are rigorously evaluated for their impact on student outcomes.
How to apply
When designing educational interventions or professional development, incorporate clear metrics for student achievement and consider the impact of teacher qualifications and certifications.
Project actions
- 01When researching educational tools or strategies, look for evidence of their impact on student achievement.
- 02Consider how teacher training and qualifications might influence the effectiveness of a design.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Longitudinal data collection (four years).
- +Use of standardized achievement tests for objective measurement.
- +Control for students' entering ability.
Limitations
The findings might not apply to all subjects or all types of schools. The study doesn't explain *why* certified teachers' students performed better, just that they did.
Reliability & validity
The use of standardized tests and a comparative design with statistical analysis enhances the reliability and validity of the findings regarding student achievement. However, the generalizability might be limited by the specific context.
Think critically
To what extent does teacher certification alone account for student achievement gains, versus other potential confounding factors such as school resources, parental involvement, or student demographics?
Design Principles
"Invest in and validate professional development pathways that demonstrably enhance practitioner effectiveness and lead to measurable improvements in user (student) outcomes."
This research provides empirical backing for professional development and certification programs aimed at elevating teaching quality. It suggests that investing in such standards can lead to tangible improvements in educational outcomes, influencing curriculum design, teacher training, and educational policy.
What This Means for Your Design
Teachers who get a special certification (National Board Certified) tend to have students who do better in school subjects like reading and math.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of teacher expertise or the impact of professional development on educational outcomes in your design project.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
Research indicates that teacher certification can be a significant factor in student academic achievement. A study by Vandevoort, Amrein-Beardsley, and Berliner (2004) found that students of National Board Certified Teachers showed statistically significant gains in reading, mathematics, and language arts compared to students of non-certified teachers, suggesting that investing in rigorous teacher qualification standards can yield measurable educational benefits.
Source
Education Policy Analysis Archives
National Board Certified Teachers andTheir Students' Achievement
journal · 2004
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about national board certification correlates with measurable student academic gains?
- Design and implement teacher certification and professional development programs that are rigorously evaluated for their impact on student outcomes. Evidence: Education Policy Analysis Archives (2004).
- Why does "National Board Certification Correlates with Measurable Student Academic Gains" matter for design?
- This research provides empirical backing for professional development and certification programs aimed at elevating teaching quality. It suggests that investing in such standards can lead to tangible improvements in educational outcomes, influencing curriculum design, teacher training, and educational policy.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Design and implement teacher certification and professional development programs that are rigorously evaluated for their impact on student outcomes.
- What were the main findings?
- Students in classrooms of National Board Certified Teachers surpassed their peers in non-certified teachers' classrooms in nearly three-quarters of the academic performance comparisons.. Approximately one-third of these observed differences in student achievement were statistically significant.. No statistically significant differences were found when students of non-Board certified teachers showed greater gains.
- What research method was used?
- Quantitative comparative analysis with 35 National Board Certified teachers and their students, compared against a cohort of non-certified teachers..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2004 journal from Education Policy Analysis Archives.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing educational interventions or professional development, incorporate clear metrics for student achievement and consider the impact of teacher qualifications and certifications.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focused on a specific geographic region (Arizona) and a particular set of achievement tests, potentially limiting generalizability. The analysis did not delve into the specific pedagogical practices of the certified vs. non-certified teachers.