Defining the Link between Teacher Engagement and Student Achievement
Our newest research brief analyzes data from three large districts - Jefferson County Public Schools (Louisville, KY), Austin Independent School District (Austin, TX) and Greenville County Schools (Greenville, SC) - and finds a consistent, positive correlation between teacher engagement and student math achievement — a relationship that persists even after accounting for prior performance. Not causal; findings reflect associations observed across districts.
The findings reveal:
- Schools with higher teacher engagement scores tended to see higher math proficiency.
- Engagement scores were positively associated with overall school achievement in math.
- This connection persisted even after controlling for prior achievement and school context.
Higher Teacher Engagement, Higher Student Achievement
Fostering positive working conditions for teachers is not just about staff morale and retention. It’s linked to measurable student outcomes.
Using a validated engagement survey provides leaders with actionable data to identify where improving working conditions could have the most impact on achievement and help tailor interventions to specific schools.
Read the press release here.
