The Effects of Teacher Certification on Freshman High School Students' Algebra I Achievement

The purpose of this study was to determine whether students taught by certified teachers and those taught by uncertified teachers had significantly different achievement on a state Algebra I End of Course examination. The specific research questions were: (1) Does type of teacher certification impact Algebra I End of Course (EOC) Exam scores for high school freshman when controlling for students' past mathematics success as measured by 8th grade TAAS mathematics test scores and teachers' years of experience? (2) Does type of teacher certification impact Algebra I End of Course (EOC) Exam passage rates for high school freshman when controlling for students' past mathematics success as measured by 8th grade TAAS mathematics test scores, socio-economic status, ethnicity, gender, and teachers' years of experience? This research was conducted in a large north Texas suburban school district. The entire population (N=1,433) of freshman students enrolled in year-long Algebra I was included for this study. Three statistical tests were used in data analysis for the first question. Analysis of covariance using student as well as teacher as the unit of analysis and hierarchical multiple regression were used to analyze students' specific scores. Logistic regression was used for the second research question. This study found that students in classes with non-certified teachers scored eight points lower on the Algebra I EOC Exam than those in classes with certified teachers. However, when controlling for students' prior mathematics achievement and other variables, the difference was of no practical significance. There was no practical significance in a student's odds of passing the examination between students in certified teachers' classrooms and those in uncertified teachers' classrooms. The results of this study offer further understanding of the debate over type of certification.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

2004

Author dc:creator

• Ringrose, Laura Chamberlin

Contributors dc:contributor

• Adkison, Judith A.
• Wilhelm, Ronald W.
• Huffman, Jane B.

• Algebra -- Study and teaching (Secondary)
• Academic achievement.
• Teachers -- Certification.
• student achievement
• mathematics
• teacher certification
• statistical analysis
• Algebra I

Statement dc:rights

• Public
• Copyright
• Ringrose, Laura Chamberlin
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 55944494
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc4490/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc4490

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc4490