value-added models

Value-added models (VAMs) are statistical tools used to evaluate a teacher’s impact on student learning by measuring how much students improve academically over time, beyond what is expected given their starting point and background. They account for factors like prior achievement and student demographics to isolate the teacher’s contribution. In essence, VAMs aim to provide a fair assessment of teacher effectiveness based on student progress, helping educators and policymakers identify areas for improvement and support while reducing reliance on single test scores.