Abstract:
The shocking mathematics results of South Africa's Grade 9 learners in TIMSS
2011 were received as a warning that all is not well with the country's educational
system. Since good quality teaching is often associated with high performing
learners, the influence of the teacher's level of education and years of teaching
experience on the mathematics performance of Grade 9 learners is the focus of
this study. The data originates from the South African participation in TIMSS 2011.
The relative effects of these aspects on learners' performance were investigated
by employing regression analysis with effect coding using the IDB Analyzer. The
results suggest a positive relation between teacher education level and learner
performance. The influence of years of experience on learner performance
confirmed theories regarding teacher development stages and can be beneficial
for professional development courses specifically aimed at teachers.
