Professional Learning For Math Teachers Is A Plus For Students
By Learning Forward
Categories: ResearchJune 2015
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At a Glance
An international comparison study based on TIMSS data over multiple years demonstrates that professional learning for teachers of 4th- and 8th-grade mathematics is associated with increased student achievement.
The study
Liang, G., Zhang, Y., Huang, H., Shi, S., & Qiao, Z. (2015). Professional development and student achievement: International evidence from the TIMSS data. Journal of Postdoctoral Research, 3(2), 17-31. Available at www.postdocjournal.com/file_journal/767_55399091.pdf.
What this Means For Practitioners
This multinational, comparative, empirical study examining data across eight years provides evidence of the positive association between teacher professional development in six areas related to mathematics and students’ mathematics achievement on an international assessment.
The research study affirms what is outlined in the Outcomes standard of Learning Forward’s Standards for Professional Learning — content-focused professional learning is a powerful vehicle for promoting student learning. These findings, when coupled with other research studies, emphasize the importance of linking the content of professional learning to specific outcomes for students, ensuring depth of teacher content knowledge and content-specific pedagogy, knowledge of curriculum, assessment practices, and technology integration into the content.
Further, it suggests that professional learning leaders, practitioners, decision makers, and policymakers have a responsibility for monitoring alignment between the content of professional learning and discipline-specific knowledge and pedagogy. The study, as researchers note, supports the implementation of policies, advocacy, and practices for professional learning as a vehicle for improving student achievement and supporting educational reform.
Learning Forward is the only professional association devoted exclusively to those who work in educator professional development. We help our members plan, implement, and measure high-quality professional learning so they can achieve success with their systems, schools, and students.
Categories: Research
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