What’s the value of a great teacher?

An article in the New York Times quotes from an amazing study done by economists from Harvard and Columbia about the long term impact of a great teacher. The study focused on grades 4-8 and found that teachers have an impact on all of the grades.

The study measured the earning power of students as one of the long term effects of great teachers. While this is never the only reason why we need great, influential teachers – their contribution to the economy is also an important part of the value they create.

How much value? $25,000 more over a lifetime — or about $700,000 in gains for an average size class according to the The Value of Teachers article.

The detailed study is also available online here: The Long Term Impacts of Great Teachers.