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Teacher-to-Classroom Assignment and Student Achievement

Author

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  • Bryan S. Graham
  • Geert Ridder
  • Petra M. Thiemann
  • Gema Zamarro

Abstract

We study the effects of counterfactual teacher-to-classroom assignments on average student achievement in elementary and middle schools in the US. We use the Measures of Effective Teaching (MET) experiment to semiparametrically identify the average reallocation effects (AREs) of such assignments. Our findings suggest that changes in within-district teacher assignments could have appreciable effects on student achievement. Unlike policies which require hiring additional teachers (e.g., class-size reduction measures), or those aimed at changing the stock of teachers (e.g., VAM-guided teacher tenure policies), alternative teacher-to-classroom assignments are resource neutral; they raise student achievement through a more efficient deployment of existing teachers.

Suggested Citation

  • Bryan S. Graham & Geert Ridder & Petra M. Thiemann & Gema Zamarro, 2020. "Teacher-to-Classroom Assignment and Student Achievement," NBER Working Papers 27543, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:27543
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    Cited by:

    1. Johnsen, Julian V. & Khoury, Laura, 2024. "Peer Effects in Prison," IZA Discussion Papers 17114, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Tom Ahn & Esteban Aucejo & Jonathan James, 2021. "The Importance of Matching Effects for Labor Productivity: Evidence from Teacher-Student Interactions," Working Papers 2106, California Polytechnic State University, Department of Economics.
    3. Aurélien Sallin & Simone Balestra, 2022. "The Earth is Not Flat: A New World of High-Dimensional Peer Effects," Economics of Education Working Paper Series 0189, University of Zurich, Department of Business Administration (IBW).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • C36 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Instrumental Variables (IV) Estimation
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality

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