Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
Paul and Nancy O'Neill Classroom
Abstract We examine the theoretical and practical implications of ranking teachers according to a one dimensional value-added metric when teacher effectiveness is multi-dimensional. In particular, we consider the cases in which teachers teach multiple subjects or multiple student types. We outline the assumptions under which a standard value-added estimator correctly ranks teachers according to their social value. We demonstrate that these assumptions fail to hold empirically.
Matthew Springer discusses the impact of the POINT intervention on student achievement as well as teacher behavior and organizational dynamics. September, 2010.