VAM in Education Policy

Value-Added Modeling (VAM) in education policy is a statistical method used to measure a teacher's impact on student learning, typically by analyzing standardized test scores over time. It attempts to isolate a teacher's contribution to a student's academic progress, accounting for factors like prior achievement and demographics. Policymakers use VAM to evaluate teacher effectiveness, inform hiring decisions, and shape educational reforms. However, VAM has sparked debate regarding its accuracy and fairness, as it can be influenced by external factors beyond a teacher's control.