For decades one of the largest debates in Psychology has centered around Nature vs. Nurture and the effect each plays in development. Recently, a study conducted by Florida State University took this debate into the classroom to see the effects of Nature vs. Nurture in terms of literacy development.
Research Design
By assigning 280 pairs of identical twins and 526 pairs of fraternal twins to separate classrooms, the researchers were able to discover the impact the classroom environment played in students reading progress. Using identical twins, who would develop very similarly left entirely to Nature, allows researchers to see the impact Nurture (the teacher and classroom environment) plays on literacy development. To test these differences the researchers assigned the identical twins to classrooms with teachers who had received significantly different quality scores.
Study Results
Of the 280 identical twin pairs studied, 42 pairs revealed significant differences in reading development at the completion of the one year study. Twins with teachers that had similar quality scores had similar reading scores at the end of the year. The students that showed the largest reading improvement over the year were the students of the teachers that were rated with the highest quality scores at the beginning of the study.
Study Conclusions
Researchers were careful to clarify that teachers are not the sole purpose for reading differences between the twins in different classrooms. Tim Shanahan, Professor at the University of Illinois explained: “The word teacher or teacher quality is being used here as a shorthand for the kids’ entire experience in the classroom.”
There are several factors that could impact the difference in the performance of the identical twins in separate classrooms: disruptive students, teacher materials, the number of struggling students in the class, ect…
Shanahan also said: “Good classrooms are all alike; they maximize kids’ potential. Poor classrooms are not only poor in one way; they are poor in multiple ways.” Shanahan also asserted that teacher and classroom disparities can change with the right resources and training.
Resources:
“Better Teachers Make for Stronger Young Readers”
“Study: Better teachers help children read faster”
“Study: After genes, teachers help kids read faster”
Reading Horizons works to help teachers erase these disparities by providing Professional Development and materials to promote student reading. For more information visit: www.ReadingHorizons.com