Principal Investigator
Ben Backes & Michael Hansen – Center for Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research (CALDER)
Project Description
This study evaluates the relationship between Opportunity Culture (OC) staffing models and student achievement using administrative data from three school districts, including 44 schools implementing OC. The analysis focuses primarily on the “multiclassroom leadership” model, in which highly effective teachers lead and coach teams of teachers while remaining accountable for student outcomes. Researchers compare achievement outcomes in math and reading between students exposed to OC models and similar students in non-OC settings, using multiple model specifications to account for school- and student-level differences.
Research Questions
- What is the impact of Opportunity Culture (OC) staffing models on students’ math and reading achievement?
- To what extent do different OC roles (e.g., multiclassroom leaders, team teachers, blended learning teachers) differentially affect student outcomes?
- How are effective teachers selected into OC roles, and to what extent do these roles extend the reach of high-quality teaching to more students?
Key Findings
- Students in Opportunity Culture schools consistently showed higher math achievement across all model specifications.
- The strongest and most consistent impacts were observed in the multiclassroom leadership model, where effective teachers lead instructional teams.
- Results for reading achievement were mixed, with some models showing positive effects but the most rigorous specification finding no significant impact.
- Findings suggest that restructuring staffing to leverage highly effective teachers can improve math outcomes, though effects may depend on implementation and context.
Study Citation
Backes, B., & Hansen, M. (2018). Reaching further and learning more? Evaluating Public Impact’s Opportunity Culture initiative (CALDER Working Paper No. 181).
The Key Findings above were reproduced from the published report and do not necessarily reflect interpretation of Overdeck Family Foundation staff.
