Value-Added Modeling (VAM)

Value-Added Modeling (VAM) is a statistical method used in education to measure a teacher's impact on student learning. Instead of looking solely at students' test scores, VAM takes into account various factors, like prior performance and socio-economic background, to evaluate how much progress students make over a school year. This helps identify which teachers are effectively contributing to student growth, allowing for better support and resources. VAM aims to provide a clearer picture of educational effectiveness, moving beyond simple comparisons of test scores to highlight the actual value a teacher adds to their students’ learning experience.