The Impact of Educators in Learning Environments

Using unique nationally representative school and system survey data from 13 education systems in low and middle-income countries collected through the World Bank’s Global Education Policy Dashboard (GEPD), we examine how the pedagogical practices, including practices to foster student engagement and subject content knowledge of primary-school teachers, correlate with their students’ learning outcomes. My colleagues below find that student performance on literacy (and, to a lesser extent, math) assessments are correlated with receiving instruction from teachers with better-measured pedagogical skills. Learning strategies that support greater student engagement appears to be highly predictive of student learning outcomes in literacy. The findings confirm the important role of interventions that provide direct pedagogical support and feedback to teachers through training, instructional leadership, and evaluation. https://lnkd.in/efZ6WZrf Brian Stacy Sergio Venegas Marin Halsey Rogers Maryam Akmal Hersheena Rajaram Viyaleta (Violeta) Farysheuskaya

Culturally responsive teaching (CRT) positively impacts the brain by creating an inclusive and engaging learning environment that enhances cognitive development and academic achievement. Here are some ways it influences the brain: Increased Engagement and Motivation: When students see their culture and experiences reflected in the curriculum, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated to learn. This engagement can lead to the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and motivation, which enhances learning and memory. Enhanced Cognitive Skills: CRT encourages diverse teaching strategies that cater to different learning styles and strengths. This approach can stimulate various areas of the brain, promoting the development of cognitive skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Reduction of Stereotype Threat: When students from marginalized groups feel their culture is valued and respected, they experience less stress and anxiety associated with stereotype threat—the fear of confirming negative stereotypes about their group. Lower stress levels can improve cognitive function and academic performance. Improved Emotional Regulation: Culturally responsive teaching fosters a sense of belonging and validation, which can positively impact students' emotional well-being. A supportive learning environment can lead to better emotional regulation, crucial for effective learning and memory. Strengthened Neural Connections: By integrating students' cultural backgrounds into the learning process, CRT helps make learning more relevant and meaningful. This relevance can strengthen neural connections as the brain connects new information and existing knowledge more readily. Promotion of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL): CRT often includes elements of SEL, which helps students develop empathy, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills. These skills are associated with increased activity in the brain's prefrontal cortex, which is involved in decision-making and social behavior. Overall, culturally responsive teaching can lead to a more inclusive and effective learning environment by engaging students' brains in ways that honor their cultural identities and experiences.

We know that many children go to school but are not learning, but the reason is not obvious. A new study and blog from The World Bank Education colleagues Brian Stacy, Maryam Akmal, Halsey Rogers, Sergio Venegas Marin, Hersheena Rajaram, and Viyaleta (Violeta) Farysheuskaya called "What’s at Play? Unpacking the Relationship between Teaching and Learning" looks at three main questions: 👩🏫 What teaching practices make a difference? 🧠 How does teachers' knowledge impact student learning? 🏫 How can education systems better support their teachers? The authors build on the World Bank Global Education Policy Dashboard (GEPD) and use data from classroom observations, learnings assessments, content knowledge tests of teachers, and interviews with teachers, principals, and education officials. Their key findings are that 👩🏫Better pedagogy 🧠 Higher levels of teacher content knowledge 👩🎓 Engaging teaching are predictors of student learning. 🏫 They draw three conclusions for how the education system can better support teachers: 1️⃣ Practical pedagogical support 2️⃣ Strong instructional leadership at the school level 3️⃣ Regular evaluation with consequences, combined with support Check out the 📔 Full study: https://lnkd.in/gYzHjZGR 📑 Blog summary: https://lnkd.in/g8gEJPAY 📊 Global Education Policy Dashboard: https://lnkd.in/gTBNJJVe

"Research shows that strong teacher-student relationships significantly enhance engagement, motivation, and academic performance, with an effect size of 0.52 according to John Hattie’s meta-analysis (Visible Learning Limited Partnership & Cognition Education Group, 2017). Positive teacher-student relationships—characterized by low conflict, high support, and minimal dependency—are essential for effective learning and meeting students’ academic, social, and developmental needs (Improving Students’ Relationships With Teachers, n.d.). When students feel secure, they are more likely to explore, take risks, and tackle challenging tasks, supporting their growth and resilience." By Kelly Williams Learner-Centered Collaborative #LearnerCentered #EvolvingEducation