Washington Center for Teaching & Learning
University of Washington
Box 351413
3945 15th Ave. NE
Seattle, WA 98195

Phone: 206-221-4116
Fax: 206-897-1469
wactl@u.washington.edu

Teachers for a New Era: Research & Study

Overview | Evidence of Learning | Findings & Reports

Evidence of Pupil Learning

Goal

To provide evidence that content and quality of teacher training has direct impact on pupil learning in the classroom. To develop a program of timely and systemic feedback to teacher training programs and induction teachers to facilitate improvement in teacher training and use of evidence based content. The goal is in direct response to TNE goals outlined by the Carnegie Foundation.

Objectives

  1. Develop a means of providing evidence (e.g. tests, assessments) that capture change in students’ abilities; a longitudinal model of learning gains.
  2. Link these gains to elements of teacher preparation and training.
  3. Create a systematic feedback loop to College of Education regarding training content/quality and gains in pupil learning.

Participants

  • Jerald R. Herting, Research Associate Professor, UW College of Arts and Sciences
  • College of Education (Professor Bill McDiarmid, among other College of Education and Arts and Science consultants)
  • Seattle Public Schools, potentially other districts
  • Peter Graham, Research Assistant
  • Past UW Teacher/Students, other current public school teachers

Research Questions

  1. Can a longitudinal model of pupil gains across a variety of key learning outcomes (e.g. reading, mathematics, science) and grades (e.g. 3 through12) be designed that is timely, efficient, valid and reliable?
  2. Can pupil gains be successfully linked to individual teachers and their training content/implementation?
  3. Can a feedback process to College of Education and schools be successfully developed.

Timeline

Winter 2005 – Spring 2006

  • Feb-July: With collaboration of participants develop general design for initial pilot study.
  • July – Oct: Finalize selected instruments, sampling procedure, IRB process.
  • Nov – Jun: Phase I: Pilot implementation and review

Progress

  • Review of past empirical research and general review of designs for possible models.
  • Finalized ideal research design.
  • Preliminary identification and evaluation of potential tools for assessing/testing.
  • Initial collaboration with participants in defining model feasibility and implementation.