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Learning Job Skills from Colleagues at Work: Evidence from a Field Experiment Using Teacher Performance Data

Author

Listed:
  • John P. Papay
  • Eric S. Taylor
  • John H. Tyler
  • Mary E. Laski

Abstract

We study a program designed to encourage learning from coworkers among school teachers. In an experiment, we document gains in job performance when high- and low-skilled teachers are paired and asked to work together on improving their skills. Pairs are matched on specific skills measured in prior evaluations. Each pair includes a target teacher who scores low in one or more of 19 skills and a partner who scores high in (many of) the target's deficient skills. Student achievement improved 0.12 standard deviations in low-skilled teachers' classrooms. Improvements are likely the result of target teachers learning skills from their partner.

Suggested Citation

  • John P. Papay & Eric S. Taylor & John H. Tyler & Mary E. Laski, 2020. "Learning Job Skills from Colleagues at Work: Evidence from a Field Experiment Using Teacher Performance Data," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 12(1), pages 359-388, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejpol:v:12:y:2020:i:1:p:359-88
    DOI: 10.1257/pol.20170709
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Anna Popova & David K Evans & Mary E Breeding & Violeta Arancibia, 2022. "Teacher Professional Development around the World: The Gap between Evidence and Practice [Training to Teach Science: Experimental Evidence from Argentina]," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank, vol. 37(1), pages 107-136.
    2. Christine Mulhern & Isaac M. Opper, 2021. "Measuring and Summarizing the Multiple Dimensions of Teacher Effectiveness," CESifo Working Paper Series 9263, CESifo.
    3. Abi Adams-Prassl & Kristiina Huttunen & Emily Nix & Ning Zhang, 2022. "Violence Against Women at Work," Opportunity and Inclusive Growth Institute Working Papers 064, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.
    4. Liebowitz, David D., 2021. "Teacher evaluation for accountability and growth: Should policy treat them as complements or substitutes?," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    5. Nix, Emily, 2020. "A researcher’s guide to the Swedish compulsory school reform," Working Paper Series 2020:14, IFAU - Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy.
    6. Melissa Clark & Jeffrey Max & Susanne James-Burdumy & Silvia Robles & Moira McCullough & Paul Burkander & Steven Malick, "undated". "Study of Teacher Coaching Based on Classroom Videos: Impacts on Student Achievement and Teachers’ Practices," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 5b522b849ff54506a7fdd69a9, Mathematica Policy Research.
    7. Enzo Brox & Michael Lechner, 2024. "Teamwork and Spillover Effects in Performance Evaluations," Papers 2403.15200, arXiv.org.
    8. Menzel, Andreas, 2021. "Knowledge exchange and productivity spill-overs in Bangladeshi garment factories," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 721-746.
    9. Gershenson, Seth & Lindsay, Constance A. & Papageorge, Nicholas W. & Campbell, Romaine & Rendon, Jessica H., 2023. "Spillover Effects of Black Teachers on White Teachers' Racial Competency: Mixed Methods Evidence from North Carolina," IZA Discussion Papers 16258, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    10. Cardim, Joana & Molina-Millán, Teresa & Vicente, Pedro C., 2023. "Can technology improve the classroom experience in primary education? An African experiment on a worldwide program," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J45 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Public Sector Labor Markets
    • M53 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Training

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