Improving School Hiring Decisions

In this research brief, we describe a low-cost tool for assessing job candidates that can help inform and potentially improve teacher hiring decisions. The tool is a short, supplemental assessment completed by professional references. It was developed during a decade-long partnership between CALDER and Spokane Public Schools (SPS). Several CALDER studies suggest that the tool, through just a few questions, can provide useful clues about an applicant’s potential to succeed and stay in the classroom. These studies also suggest that, despite its promise, implementing the tool presents practical challenges for schools and districts. 

Key Findings: 

• Streamlined professional reference ratings provide low-cost, predictive information about teacher performance and retention.
• The ratings’ predictive power is influenced by differences among raters and candidates.

• School districts who want hiring managers to use the tool likely need to provide them with either extra support or incentives to reinforce its use.