Using student ratings and external observations to detect the effects of quality of teaching on student learning outcomes: a longitudinal study in the Maldives

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates the impact of the teacher factors included in the dynamic model of educational effectiveness on student achievement in English as a second language. It also examines the extent to which student ratings and/or external observations can be used to measure the teacher factors and detect their effects on student achievement gains. The participants were 31 teachers and all their grade 4 students (n = 350) from 8 schools in the urban capital city of Male’ in the Maldives. Achievement of students in English was measured at the beginning and end of school year and quality of teaching was measured through external observations and student questionnaire. Empirical support to the construct validity of student questionnaires and observation instruments was generated. Multilevel regression analysis revealed that through the student questionnaire, the effects of three factors (i.e., orientation, application and dealing with student misbehaviour) on student achievement were identified. However, observation data helped us to detect effects from all eight teacher factors of the dynamic model on student achievement but management of time. Implications for research, policy and practice are drawn.

KEYWORDS:

• Educational effectiveness research
• teacher evaluation
• quality of teaching
• classroom observation
• student ratings
• multilevel modelling

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Notes on contributors

Hawwa Shiuna Musthafa

Hawwa Shiuna Musthafa holds a Doctoral degree (PhD) in curriculum studies, teaching and comparative education from the University of Cyprus. She has worked as an Assistant Professor in the Maldives National University and presently works as an Adjunct Professor in the University Canada West. She is a gold medallist, presidential award winner for academic scholarship and has achieved the university first rank in her Master’s degree. She is also the recipient of the merit-based PhD scholarship from the University of Cyprus. She has published papers, written books, published reports in both education and social sciences genres.

Leonidas Kyriakides

Leonidas Kyriakides is Professor of Educational Research and Evaluation at the Department of Education, University of Cyprus. His main research interests are in the area of educational effectiveness and improvement and especially in modelling the dynamic nature of educational effectiveness and in using research to promote quality and equity in education. He acted as chair of the AERA SIG on School Effectiveness and Improvement and the EARLI SIG on Educational Effectiveness. He is the Editor-in-Chief of “Studies in Educational Evaluation” and member of the editorial board of various international journals with referee system. He has published 8 books and more than 130 papers in international journals with referee system.