Teacher and Teaching Effects on Students' Academic Behaviors and Mindsets

Teacher and Teaching Effects on Students' Academic Behaviors and Mindsets

Working Paper 41
Published: Dec 04, 2015
Publisher: Cambridge, MA: Mathematica Policy Research

Download

Authors

David Blazar

Matthew A. Kraft

A growing body of evidence has identified a range of academic behaviors and mindsets other than test scores as important contributors to children’s long-term success. We extend a complementary line of research focusing on the role that teachers play in developing these outcomes. We find that upper-elementary teachers have large effects on students’ self-reported behavior in class, self-efficacy in math, and happiness in class that are similar in magnitude to effects on math test scores. However, teachers who are effective at improving these outcomes often are not the same as those who raise math test scores. We also find that these non-tested outcomes are predicted by teaching practices most proximal to these measures, including teachers’ emotional support and classroom organization. Findings can inform policy around teacher development and evaluation.

Efficiency Meets Impact.
That's Progress Together.

To solve their most pressing challenges, organizations turn to Mathematica for deeply integrated expertise. We bring together subject matter and policy experts, data scientists, methodologists, and technologists who work across topics and sectors to help our partners design, improve, and scale evidence-based solutions.

Work With Us