중남미

The purpose of this paper is to estimate the impact of teacher education on student performance on standardized tests in Brazil. Using nationally representative information on student performance in mathematics and Portuguese language, differences in educational achievement across subjects for the same students are associated with differences in the qualifications of their teachers in each one of these subjects. Estimates show that a highly qualified teacher raises student achievement by 12% of a standard deviation. Thus, there is evidence that promoting teacher qualification appears to be an effective tool for improving the quality of education in Brazil.