This report describes the development of value-added models for estimating the contributions of Pennsylvania teachers and principals toward the achievement growth of their students. Estimates were obtained during the first phase of a multiyear pilot to develop new evaluation systems for teachers...

Looks at a privately funded voucher program, finding minimal differences in math scores and modest differences in reading scores between voucher students and their public school counterparts, while also noting that the voucher program seems to be serving the working poor.

A heated debate exists over the effectiveness of a teacher preparation approach called “alternative certification.†Alternative certification programs offer a means for bachelor’s degree holders to become a teacher of record, with far less training than required by traditional...

This report describes the group of children who first entered Head Start in fall 2006 either as a 3- or 4- year old, completed one or two years in the program, and attended kindergarten the year after completing Head Start. Head Start children make progress in important school readiness skills...

In recent years, researchers have argued that the shortage of highly qualified teachers in poor school districts may have less to do with attracting new teachers than with retaining them. To provide the scientific evidence that will support sound decisions about teacher induction, Mathematica is...