You should look into the details of MET Project that is mentioned as the source of Gates' claim. As is often the case the reporter mangled or left out many of the details.
In addition to student surveys and teacher evaluations teacher performance measured as "value added" in students test scores. These three components were combined into an overall "teacher effectiveness" measure. This was all done using what look like very good experimental practices (random assignment of students to teachers, multiple schools across the US...).
Although not perfect the "teacher effectiveness" measure was quite predictive of future "value added". So perhaps we are closer to a solution. Of course this study was in elementary and middle schools and it may be more difficult in colleges (students walking out on surveys).
The project's methodology and results are well documented in a number of reports[1] including a detailed research report for those literate in statistics[2].
Comments
You should look into the details of MET Project that is mentioned as the source of Gates' claim. As is often the case the reporter mangled or left out many of the details.
In addition to student surveys and teacher evaluations teacher performance measured as "value added" in students test scores. These three components were combined into an overall "teacher effectiveness" measure. This was all done using what look like very good experimental practices (random assignment of students to teachers, multiple schools across the US...).
Although not perfect the "teacher effectiveness" measure was quite predictive of future "value added". So perhaps we are closer to a solution. Of course this study was in elementary and middle schools and it may be more difficult in colleges (students walking out on surveys).
The project's methodology and results are well documented in a number of reports[1] including a detailed research report for those literate in statistics[2].
[1] http://www.metproject.org/reports.php
[2] http://www.metproject.org/downloads/MET_Validating_Using_Ran...