From the 2018-19 Research Brief on MTR
by Shelby County Schools
District-level Effectiveness
“Dependably achieving its primary mission:
… effective teachers.”
“The analyses presented here show that in 2018–19, MTR teachers in their first three years of SCS teaching outperformed their non-MTR counterparts by significant margins on four very different measures of teaching effectiveness: student growth on achievement tests, observation of practice, professionalism, and student perceptions. These findings are consistent with those of the previous seven MTR evaluations. Taken as a whole, the empirical record on MTR’s program effectiveness indicates that MTR has been dependably achieving its primary mission since its establishment a decade ago: that is, to provide Memphis high-need schools with effective teachers.“
Student Growth
In First 3 Years of Teaching
Evaluation Scores
In First 3 Years of Teaching
While there is significant variation in student growth among MTR-trained new teachers and similar variation among other new teachers, the student growth (TVAAS) average across all new MTR-trained teachers has consistently been about 1/2 standard deviations higher than the average for other SCS new hires. This difference is not only statistically significant but also meaningful in terms of students’ lifetime outcomes. This year’s results are consistent with the higher student growth shown in prior SCS reports on MTR.
Statewide Effectiveness
From the 2019, 2020 and 2021 Tennessee Teacher Preparation Report Cards
Published by the TN State Board of Education
Overall †
Exceeds Expectations
Earning 87% of Points Possible
Assessments
Exceeds Expectations
Licensure & Exam Passage Rates
Impact †
Exceeds Expectations
Observation Scores & Student Growth
Employment
Exceeds Expectations
Placement & Retention Rates
Teachers
Meets Expectations
Demographics & High-Need Subject Areas
† Overall and Impact Ratings were not calculated in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-related test cancellations and TVAAS hold-harmless decisions. These are the 2019 ratings.
Consistent Results
Out of 39 teacher preparation programs in the state with complete results, Memphis Teacher Residency has been among the top two programs on the report card for each of the last four years, and the top program by points each of the last three years.
Satisfied, Well-Prepared Graduates
This report also includes survey data from graduates around the central question of preparedness for the classroom after graduation. In each of the last two reports, MTR graduates were the most likely to strongly agree that their teacher preparation program prepared them well overall: 83% felt well prepared vs. a state average of 38%.
Prior Year Reports
Consistently Preparing Teachers for Partner Schools
Our recent Shelby County Schools evaluation went into detail summarizing past reports and showing consistent results in providing partner schools with effective new teachers. These results are shown here alongside results from the TN Teacher Preparation Report Card over the same time period. The report card has changed its metrics and methodology multiple times over these years, yet our program is consistently identified as being among the most effective programs in the state.
Student Growth During Residency Year
From a 2019 Research Study on Ancillary Benefits of Residency Programs
Research funded by Overdeck Family Foundation
(MTR results published under pseudonym)
Resident Impact on Mentor Classrooms
This 2019 research study analyzes three residency programs looking for residency-year effects on student growth. The study shows that MTR residents have residency-year impacts on student growth even before they graduate and have their own classroom.
In this study, the average MTR mentor TVAAS index showed significant and sizable improvements during the year they host a resident when compared to a baseline of their own prior-year TVAAS. As is illustrated in the graphic, MTR recruits mentors with a baseline of higher than average student growth (1.0 units higher than average) and this student growth typically improves significantly during the year they have a resident in their classroom (0.65 to 0.83 units).
As demonstrated here, a student in a classroom served by an MTR mentor and resident typically grows more than they would have in the same mentor teacher’s classroom if no resident had been present. Rather than being slowed down by the training happening in their classroom, they are propelled forward by the addition of a second teacher in their classroom!
Retention
89
Residents Graduating & Completing Residency Year
Classes of 2010-2022
92
Graduates Completing 3-Year Teaching Commitment
Classes of 2010-2019, as of May 2022
5 yrs.
Median Graduate Career in Memphis High-Need Education
Serving in a teacher, school leader or other K-12 role.
This compares favorably to published retention rates of new teachers in Shelby County Schools. While 92% of MTR graduates complete their 3-year commitment, less than 60% of district hires teach in the district for a full three years. Ultimately, principals who hire MTR graduates are significantly less likely to need to rehire that same position over the next several years. With a median career in Memphis education of 5 years, over 50% of MTR graduates are still working in Memphis high-need classrooms and leadership positions in their 5th year after graduation.
Impact
10,000
Students taught this year
We estimate that approximately 10,000 students will have at least one MTR teacher this year, just under 9% of the public school students in Memphis.
312
Educators
There are 312 MTR residents and graduates working in high-need Memphis education this year, 47 in leadership or administrative positions.
Futures & Careers
Millions in additional future income invested into students this year
Our return on investment estimates suggest that the above-average growth seen by the 10,000 students served this year will translate into over $100 million in additional future income for the students served.
Earning Licensure
Consistent Performance on edTPA
edTPA is a performance-based, subject-specific assessment used by teacher preparation programs throughout the United States to emphasize, measure and support the skills and knowledge that all teachers need from Day 1 in the classroom. Tennessee requires a passing edTPA score in order to earn initial teacher licensure, and MTR residents had a significantly higher edTPA average than the national average. 100% of residents taking edTPA so far have passed on their first submission.
Chart by Visualizer
50.0
Average edTPA Score, 2018-2021 Cohorts
The TN passing score is 40, and the national average is 44.
(15-rubric handbook)
Graduate Preparedness
From the 2020 Teach901 Partner School Survey
Conducted by Teach901
Highly Rated By Graduates
In a survey conducted by Teach901, over 2,000 teachers in Memphis priority schools were asked about perceived effectiveness of their teacher preparation programs. Of the MTR graduates who responded, 98% agreed with the statement, “My teacher preparation program prepared me for my current teaching position.” This compares positively to the 83% of respondents overall who agreed with the statement. This is the 8th year in a row that MTR has had the highest percent of graduates agreeing they were adequately prepared by their teacher preparation program compared to other preparation routes on the survey.
98%
MTR Graduates Agreeing They
Were Prepared for Current Position
Compared to 83% Overall
Resident Demographics and Placement (2010 - Present)
Ethnicity
Asian
Hispanic/Latino
Multiracial
African American
White
Other
Gender
Male
Female
Undergrad GPA Average
3.51
Graduate Placement Rate
100
Impact Report
