Linking Teacher Learning to Student Success
2009 Research Findings
Thank you for your interest in the latest research findings associated with Walden University’s M.S. in Education program with a specialization in Elementary Reading and Literacy.
In a unique collaboration with Tacoma Public Schools in Tacoma, Washington, Walden sponsored a study conducted by Arroyo Research Services that compared the reading fluency of students taught by Walden-master’s-educated teachers with those students taught by non-Walden-master’s educated teachers. The study, building from a study conducted in 2003, evaluated three years of data involving 35 teachers and 712 students.
Results of the study revealed a greater impact by Walden teachers on their students’ reading success. Key highlights revealed
- Students of teachers who graduated from Walden’s M.S. in Education program with a specialization in Elementary Reading and Literacy had gains in reading fluency that were on average 4.8 words per minute, or 14 percent, greater than students of non-Walden-master’s educated teachers.
- Gains were largest in first grade, where students of Walden teachers averaged 5.4 more words per minute than students of the non-Walden-master’s educated teachers.
- The positive impact Walden teachers had on student reading fluency translated into more efficient use of instructional time. The findings suggest that the cumulative effect of having a Walden teacher in grades 1 to 5 would show a combined gain in reading fluency of 11.6 words per minute. When translated into weeks of instruction, this gain is equivalent to a total of 10.6 weeks, or one-third of an entire school year.
Linking Teacher Learning to Student Success Frequently Asked Questions
To learn more, contact an enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.
M.S. in Education Graduates Excel
Study reveals students taught by Walden teachers outperform peers in reading.
Learn more.
