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Who teaches the teachers? A RCT of peer-to-peer observation and feedback in 181 schools

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  • Murphy, Richard
  • Weinhardt, Felix
  • Wyness, Gill

Abstract

This paper evaluates a widely used, low stakes, teacher peer-to-peer observation and feedback program under Randomized Control Trial (RCT) conditions. Half of 181 volunteer primary schools in England were randomly selected to participate in a two-year program in which three fourth and fifth grade teachers observed each other. We find that two cohorts of students taught by treated teachers perform no better on externally graded national tests compared to business as usual. However this masks large heterogeneity; in small schools, where there is only one class per grade, we find negative impacts of the training (0.1-0.18SD), whereas we find positive impacts in larger schools (0.06-0.17SD). We outline and explore potential mechanisms for this and conclude that centralised one-size-fits-all teacher training interventions may be harmful.

Suggested Citation

  • Murphy, Richard & Weinhardt, Felix & Wyness, Gill, 2021. "Who teaches the teachers? A RCT of peer-to-peer observation and feedback in 181 schools," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:82:y:2021:i:c:s0272775721000145
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2021.102091
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    Cited by:

    1. Liebowitz, David D., 2021. "Teacher evaluation for accountability and growth: Should policy treat them as complements or substitutes?," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    2. Díaz, Juan & Sánchez, Rafael & Villarroel, Gabriel & Villena, Mauricio G., 2021. "Effects of Measures of Teachers' Quality on Tertiary Education Attendance: Evaluation Tests versus Value Added," IZA Discussion Papers 14277, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Briole, Simon & Maurin, Eric, 2019. "Does Evaluating Teachers Make a Difference?," IZA Discussion Papers 12307, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Education; Teachers; RCT; Peer mentoring;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • M53 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Training

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