Doubt raised over impact of primary specialists on pupil results

New research conducted by Harvard University has suggested that having primary specialists in schools could have a ‘negative impact’ on pupil’s results.

The study found that specialist primary teachers are six per cent less effective than their non-specialist colleagues, with data showing pupils who were taught by subject specialists saw a drop in their grades.

The research involved conducting an experiment with 50 elementary schools in Houstan, Texas. The schools adjusted their timetables to allow for specialist teachers to instruct pupils in maths, science, social studies and reading. However, the findings suggested that specialist teaching actually had a negative impact on pupils’ grades in maths and reading.

Furthermore, Professor Roland Fryer, faculty director of Harvard, said: “Teacher specialisation… decreases student achievement, decreases student attendance and increases student behavioural problems.”

Commenting on the research, Becky Allen, director of Education Datalab, highlighted that the findings revealed the importance of the teacher-pupil relationship.