The Distribution of Mathematics and Science Teachers Across and Within Secondary Schools

Abstract

Using data from the Longitudinal Study of American Youth, this study examines the allocation of mathematics and science teachers' subject area preparation levels across as well as within a national sample of American secondary schools. At the school level, the study assesses relationships between average teacher preparation levels and socioeconomic status of the clientele, size of the school, and measures of internal collegiality. The study also examines within-school allocations and estimates the degree to which individual student shares of teacher resources are related to pupil attributes, such as previous test scores, school work ethic, socioeconomic status, and level of previous course work in the subject area. Results suggest that teachers with differing levels of content preparation are systematically allocated across as well as within secondary schools, particularly in the mathematics area of the curriculum. Implications for policy are discussed.