Teachers' participation in research programs improves their students' achievement in science.
Research experience programs engage teachers in the hands-on practice of science. Program advocates assert that program participation enhances teachers' skills in communicating science to students. We measured the impact of New York City public high-school science teachers' participation in Columbia University's Summer Research Program on their students' academic performance in science. In the year before program entry, students of participating and nonparticipating teachers passed a New York State Regents science examination at the same rate. In years three and four after program entry, participating teachers' students passed Regents science exams at a rate that was 10.1% higher (P = 0.049) than that of nonparticipating teachers' students. Other program benefits include decreased teacher attrition from classroom teaching and school cost savings of U.S. $1.14 per $1 invested in the program.
Silverstein
Samuel C
SC
Department of Physiology, Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA. scs3@columbia.edu
Dubner
Jay
J
Miller
Jon
J
Glied
Sherry
S
Loike
John D
JD
D000124:Achievement; D003479:Curriculum; D004496:Education, Continuing; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005178:Faculty; D006801:Humans; D009518:New York; D009519:New York City; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012106:Research; D012586:Science / Q000193:education*; D014495:Universities