IES Predoctoral Program Seminar: Dr. James Wyckoff

The University of Pennsylvania Predoctoral Training Program in Interdisciplinary Research Methods for Field-based Research in Education, sponsored by the Institute for Education Sciences (IES), welcomes Dr. James Wyckoff to our weekly seminar series. Dr. Wyckoff will be presenting virtually.

The Effects of Teacher Evaluation in the District of Columbia Public Schools
Presented by Dr. James Wyckoff, Professor, University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development

More than a decade ago teacher evaluation held the promise of improving the quality of teaching and student outcomes, especially in school districts that had long struggled. Today many view teacher as another failed reform that may have worsened public education for the very students it was designed to assist. Indeed, empirical assessments of teacher evaluation are at best mixed. One of the criticisms is that teacher evaluation tied to meaning stakes for teachers may increase teacher turnover, an enduring concern in education policy, which can impose substantial costs to students. Policies often address turnover broadly, yet effects turn on net differences in the effectiveness of exiting and entering teachers, in addition to the disruption dealt to classrooms. We examine teacher evaluation induced changes to the composition of exiting and entering teachers in Washington, DC; the net effect of turnover on student achievement; and the role that evaluation played in teacher turnover. We find that turnover continues to improve teaching skills and student achievement, although effects have diminished. We find little evidence that high-performing teachers’ exit is associated with the evaluation system.

More information
The IES Predoctoral Program’s weekly seminar series connects program fellows and affiliates to scholars and practitioners who engage in educational research and the development of research methods.

 Seminars are likely of interest to doctoral students and faculty. If you are interested in attending virtually, please email Melanie Bahti for Zoom information.