Early Grade Teacher Effectiveness and Pre-K Effect Persistence

In recent years, states have significantly expanded access to prekindergarten (pre-K), and federal policy makers have proposed funding near-universal access across the country. However, researchers know relatively little about the role of subsequent experiences in prolonging or truncating the persis...

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Main Authors: Walker A. Swain, Matthew G. Springer, Kerry G. Hofer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2015-11-01
Series:AERA Open
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/2332858415612751
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author Walker A. Swain
Matthew G. Springer
Kerry G. Hofer
author_facet Walker A. Swain
Matthew G. Springer
Kerry G. Hofer
author_sort Walker A. Swain
collection DOAJ
description In recent years, states have significantly expanded access to prekindergarten (pre-K), and federal policy makers have proposed funding near-universal access across the country. However, researchers know relatively little about the role of subsequent experiences in prolonging or truncating the persistence of benefits for participants. This study examines the interaction between pre-K participation and one of our most important educational interventions—teaching quality. We pair student-level data from a statewide pre-K experiment with records of teacher observation scores from Tennessee’s new formal evaluation program to assess whether a student’s access to high-quality early grade teachers moderates the persistence of pre-K effects. Our analyses indicate a small positive interaction between teaching quality and state pre-K exposure on some but not all early elementary cognitive measures, such that better teaching quality in years subsequent to pre-K is associated with more persistent positive pre-K effects.
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spelling doaj.art-1071aa961327468f84aa98ac04eb0bdd2022-12-21T19:51:16ZengSAGE PublishingAERA Open2332-85842015-11-01110.1177/233285841561275110.1177_2332858415612751Early Grade Teacher Effectiveness and Pre-K Effect PersistenceWalker A. SwainMatthew G. SpringerKerry G. HoferIn recent years, states have significantly expanded access to prekindergarten (pre-K), and federal policy makers have proposed funding near-universal access across the country. However, researchers know relatively little about the role of subsequent experiences in prolonging or truncating the persistence of benefits for participants. This study examines the interaction between pre-K participation and one of our most important educational interventions—teaching quality. We pair student-level data from a statewide pre-K experiment with records of teacher observation scores from Tennessee’s new formal evaluation program to assess whether a student’s access to high-quality early grade teachers moderates the persistence of pre-K effects. Our analyses indicate a small positive interaction between teaching quality and state pre-K exposure on some but not all early elementary cognitive measures, such that better teaching quality in years subsequent to pre-K is associated with more persistent positive pre-K effects.https://doi.org/10.1177/2332858415612751
spellingShingle Walker A. Swain
Matthew G. Springer
Kerry G. Hofer
Early Grade Teacher Effectiveness and Pre-K Effect Persistence
AERA Open
title Early Grade Teacher Effectiveness and Pre-K Effect Persistence
title_full Early Grade Teacher Effectiveness and Pre-K Effect Persistence
title_fullStr Early Grade Teacher Effectiveness and Pre-K Effect Persistence
title_full_unstemmed Early Grade Teacher Effectiveness and Pre-K Effect Persistence
title_short Early Grade Teacher Effectiveness and Pre-K Effect Persistence
title_sort early grade teacher effectiveness and pre k effect persistence
url https://doi.org/10.1177/2332858415612751
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