Articles

Teachers’ Participation in Research Programs Improves Their Students’ Achievement in Science

Columbia University's Summer Research Program for Teachers has been tracking teacher and student data for many years. The program's impact is described in the October 16, 2009 issue of 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. This study 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.

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