Teacher Professional Development Impacts Middle School Student Achievement

School district leaders must think about every dollar they spend so they can be good stewards of the limited resources they have available to meet unlimited needs amid plunging academic achievement. In addition to anecdotal evidence, numerous data sources show that students have not closed the learning gap that was caused by education disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
According to a report from NWEA Research, reading gaps among a cohort of students in grades 3 through 8 increased by 36% during 2023–24 and math gaps increased by 18%. This varied by grade level as shown in the table below from the July 2024 report, “Recovery still elusive: 2023–24 student achievement highlights persistent achievement gaps and a long road ahead.” (Karyn Lewis and Megan Kuhfeld.)



In the same NWEA brief, the number of months of schooling required to return to each group’s pre-COVID achievement levels were calculated. As demonstrated in the graphs below, you’ll notice that more schooling will be required to catch up to pre-pandemic achievement levels for middle schoolers compared to elementary students.
 
It’s important to note that the estimates in the graph only show the months of schooling required to return students to the significantly inequitable pre-pandemic status quo (Lewis & Kuhfeld, 2023).
 

Connecting the Dots: Teacher PD and Student Achievement

High-quality professional development helps educators develop and enhance their skills, while also increasing their confidence in their abilities. But how do you know if the PD you’re choosing is effective? Ultimately, it comes down to training that equips teachers to improve student outcomes. NMSI set out to evaluate the effect of our Professional Development Services in middle school classrooms by partnering with West Coast Analytics, a third-party research firm.
 
This study collected data from over 11,000 middle school students taught by 152 NMSI-trained teachers across three one-year cohorts over the 2021-2024 academic years. The approach utilized assessments developed in partnership with the Berkeley Educational Assessment Research Center, focusing on mathematical problem solving and reasoning with data.
 
The research utilized DDM (Data-based Decision Making) and PSM (Problem Solving using Math) assessment measures to evaluate students’ skills in statistical and algebraic reasoning, respectively. Both measures are essential for assessing the effectiveness of a PD program in enhancing students’ readiness for college-level coursework and careers in STEM by measuring their growth in these key areas over time.
 
The research team assessed the impact of NMSI’s professional development program on middle school students, centering on two main questions:

• How do NMSI’s Professional Development Services affect student mindsets about STEM courses and career aspirations?
• How does a NMSI professional development program influence student achievement in algebraic and statistical thinking, and how do these effects vary among different subgroups?

 
Reporting in the Middle School Longitudinal Report July 2024 showed significant gains in crucial metrics, demonstrating the impact that NMSI’s well-structured, sustained professional development can have on both teachers and students. Investing in teacher professional development has a notable impact on students’ achievement and their perception of STEM belonging — especially among underserved students.
 

Gains in STEM Confidence, Achievement, and Career Interest

In addition to improved student confidence in STEM, the study found that interest in STEM careers increased significantly for Black students in Cohort 2, although Hispanic students showed less of an increase in interest compared to non-Hispanic students. One of the more significant findings showed that gains in student achievement were consistent across gender and ethnic boundaries, indicating that the program effectively supports diverse student populations.
 
The results of this research underscore the effectiveness of NMSI’s enhanced program in positively influencing both student mindsets and academic achievement in STEM subjects. By providing middle school teachers with a comprehensive, practice-based professional development experience, the program equipped educators with the tools and strategies necessary to improve student outcomes significantly.
 

Developing and Supporting Leaders at All Levels

The program’s emphasis on content-rich training, instructional scaffolding, and intentional course progression contributed to notable improvements in students’ confidence in their ability to succeed in STEM courses, as well as their actual performance in algebraic and statistical thinking. In addition to providing tailored professional development to classroom teachers, we also support leaders at the school, district, and state levels.
 
For Teachers

• Professional development: Experience training that leaves teachers feeling excited through a culturally responsive education lens
• Year-round support: Go beyond training and explore our robust set of ongoing support services.
• Mentorship: Get dedicated help throughout the year with a NMSI coach who’s an expert in your subject and classroom management.
• Classroom resources: Save time on lesson planning with NMSI’s adaptable classroom-ready resources. 

School Leaders

• Leadership workshop: Gain insights into making sustainable changes at your school to achieve STEM success.
• Mentorship: Get dedicated help throughout the year with a NMSI coach who can support your STEM initiatives.

• School success planning: Create a path to success with a customized program designed to achieve your school's goals.

District Leaders

• District success planning: Create STEM success in your district with a customized success plan.
• Program assessment: Assess your students’ growth over the course of a school year to provide more accurate learning pathways.
• Programming guidance: Receive dedicated support from NMSI to ensure you stay on track with your goals.

State Education Leaders

• State education success planning: Create a path to success with a customized plan designed specifically to achieve your district’s goals.
• Program assessment: Assess your goal progression at the state, district, school, and classroom levels to provide more accurate learning pathways.
• Programming guidance: Get dedicated support from NMSI to keep your districts and schools on track to achieving STEM success.

Empowering Educators to Reduce the Learning Gap

Results of the research conducted by West Coast Analytics re-affirmed that NMSI has developed programs that help close STEM learning gaps among middle-school age students, especially for those who are furthest away from opportunity. Because our world is becoming increasingly dependent on a STEM workforce, we can’t underestimate the impact of teacher professional development on student achievement.
 
“As educational institutions and policymakers continue to seek ways to improve STEM education and close achievement gaps, the findings from this project offer valuable insights into the role of professional development in achieving these goals…[NMSI] serves as a model for other initiatives aimed at enhancing teacher effectiveness and improving student outcomes in critical academic areas,” the report determined. Download the white paper, review the complete research results, or contact the NMSI team today.