Study Finds Phila. 9th Graders Taught by Least-Experienced Teachers

A newly published study of Philadelphia high schools suggests that in 9th grade—the make-or-break year for many students on the path to dropping out of school—students are more likely than their upper-grade peers to be taught by inexperienced, uncertified teachers.

While it’s hard to say what impact such teacher-assignment patterns have on students’ academic growth, the researchers found that, in Philadelphia at least, having a less-qualified teacher may have a detrimental effect on students’ attendance. All things being equal, the study showed, students taking at least two classes taught by novice, uncredentialed teachers miss an average of two more school days a year than peers with more-qualified teachers.

“The differences are not big,” said Ruth Curran Neild, the lead author of the study, which was published this month in the American Journal of Education . “But what is concerning is that 9th grade is such a vulnerable year. When you have people teaching 9th grade who are so inexperienced and who know so little about teaching 9th grade,...