Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will receive $1.4 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to participate in a two-year research project.
CMS was chosen for the study by national researchers who work with several districts nationwide.
The project is designed to measure effective teaching, CMS officials said. About 3,700 teachers nationwide will participate in the study.
CMS Superintendent Peter Gorman said the project could “dramatically improve public education over the long term.”
“We know that the most important school factor in student learning is the classroom teacher,” he said. “This research will help us to identify what makes a teacher great and that will help us find and keep great teachers.”
The research, beginning this academic year, will examine four kinds of data: classroom observation, student feedback, supplemental student assessments and how well teachers recognize and diagnose student misperception, district officials said.
The study will also focus on several areas of education from fourth to ninth grade, including math, English, algebra and biology.
Teacher and student participation is voluntary, though teachers who participate will receive a $1,500 stipend.
