Great teachers make a profound difference in the lives of children. Student learning is enhanced by the efforts of teachers who are knowledgeable in their field and are skillful at teaching it. Many studies show that teacher quality variables can be more strongly related to student achievement than infrastructure factors (class sizes, overall spending levels, teacher salaries) or student background factors (poverty, language background, minority status).
However, questions remain regarding the most effective measurement of teacher quality. In general, good teaching rests on expertise in the field, the ability to connect with students, a well-developed curriculum and materials, class size, and a supportive environment.
This indicator measures the share of public K-12 teachers in Walla Walla County who possess an advanced degree, among all K-12 teachers in the county. Washington State is offered as a benchmark. Additional information, including a breakdown by school district, can be found in the "Download Data" section.