Teacher turnover and experience factors in lower reading test score

The high numbers of less-experienced teachers at disadvantaged schools are a factor in their pupils’ lower reading and maths ability, research has found.

There is already extensive evidence that children at primary schools that get most supports through Band 1 of the Department of Education’s DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) scheme fare lower than all others in tests. However, the study by the Economic and Social Research Institute shows that other factors besides pupils’ social background have an influence.

The findings in the Irish Educational Studies journal are based on a study of 8,500 children at 900 primary schools, during the Government’s long-running Growing Up in Ireland project.