Learning Job Skills from Colleagues at Work: Evidence from a Field Experiment Using Teacher Performance Data
- (pp. 359-88)
Abstract
We study a program designed to encourage learning from coworkers among school teachers. In an experiment, we document gains in job performance when high- and low-skilled teachers are paired and asked to work together on improving their skills. Pairs are matched on specific skills measured in prior evaluations. Each pair includes a target teacher who scores low in one or more of 19 skills and a partner who scores high in (many of) the target's deficient skills. Student achievement improved 0.12 standard deviations in low-skilled teachers' classrooms. Improvements are likely the result of target teachers learning skills from their partner.Citation
Papay, John P., Eric S. Taylor, John H. Tyler, and Mary E. Laski. 2020. "Learning Job Skills from Colleagues at Work: Evidence from a Field Experiment Using Teacher Performance Data." American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 12 (1): 359-88. DOI: 10.1257/pol.20170709Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- I21 Analysis of Education
- J24 Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
- J45 Public Sector Labor Markets
- M53 Personnel Economics: Training
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