Making the Grade: A Cross-National Analysis of Teacher Training on Student Achievement Across 52 Nations

Abstract

There has been an increasing number of school systems which are being held accountable for student performance, however there has not been a corresponding emphasis on school and teacher preparation with which to achieve these standards. Previous studies have shown the variation in teacher preparation both within and between countries. Many studies have shown that teachers are a major factor in predicting student achievement and academic success (Hattie 2008). And yet, to date there has been a lack of cross-national focus on the preparatory programs of educators and available data is sparse. I would like to help bring new attention to the importance of quality teacher training. My paper provides a broad comparison of national education systems, including teacher preparation requirements. I explore this topic by analyzing the performance of students in over 50 countries who participated in the 2006 and 2009 PISA (Program for International Student Assessment). I will demonstrate that high-quality teacher training is related to student achievement and learning and suggests that improving teacher training might contribute to local and national growth and development.