Teacher degree levels: The impact on student achievement in mathematics on high -stakes tests

This study investigated the effect master's and bachelor's degree teachers had on student achievement in mathematics as measured by the criterion-referenced section of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT), a high-stakes test. Further analysis revealed the effect graduates of the Lockheed Martin/UCF Academy for Mathematics and Science (LMA) had on student achievement in mathematics. LMA is a mathematics/science teacher enhancement master's degree program funded in part by the National Science Foundation.;Subjects were comprised of third- through eighth-grade students in 12 schools in a central Florida school district. Data analysis included results of descriptive statistics and a general linear model. Results revealed: (1) that third- and fifth-grade students of master's degree teachers, including LMA graduates, achieved significantly higher results when compared to students of bachelor's degree teachers; (2) fourth-grade students of bachelor's and master's degree teachers revealed no significant differences; (3) third- and fifth-grade students of LMA graduates outperformed students of general master's and bachelor's degree teachers to statistically significant level; (4) middle school students of master's degree teachers outperformed students of bachelor's degree teachers; (5) middle school students of LMA graduates performed as well or better than students of bachelor's degree teachers and (6) middle school students of general master's degree teacher's performed as well or better than students of LMA graduates. Future research should take a closer look at the various degree fields of teachers teaching mathematics and investigate the impact of alternative certifications as well as out-of-field mathematics teachers on student performance in mathematics.