Influence of Teacher Performance on Learning Achievement in Public Secondary Schools in Kisii County, Kenya

Abstract

Extant literature suggests that regular appraisal of teachers lead to progress in student learning achievement. However, the influence of teacher performance on achievement is not well documented hence the need for this study whose objectives were to (1) determine the relationship between teacher appraisal ratings and student learning achievement, (2) establish the relationship between student feedback ratings and learning achievement and (3) determine the influence of teacher performance on student learning achievement. Based on Locke’s goal-setting and Vrooms’ expectancy theories this study adopted explanatory sequential mixed methods design with population of 50,379 comprising 333 principals, 3,426 teachers and 46,620 students and a stratified sample of 397. Questionnaire reliability was .779 and .783 for teachers and students respectively. Quantitative research findings for the first and second objectives yielded Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient r (27) = -.008, p=.484 (performance appraisal ratings) and r (27) = -.085, p=.331 (student feedback ratings) showing that appraisal ratings and student feedback ratings were not significantly related to learning achievement since p-values obtained were more than the critical alpha (α) set at .05 level of significance. For the third objective, the regression analysis model constructed to test the influence of teacher performance on learning achievement yielded Persons’ R=.085 indicating a weak positive relationship between the two variables. The R-Squared (R²) computed yielded a value of .007, suggesting that teacher performance explained .7% of student learning achievement. Qualitative findings confirmed that performance appraisal contributed minimally to student achievement due to weaknesses of the appraisal policy, low teacher motivation, student characteristics, principal’s characteristics and home background factors. It is thus recommended that Teachers Service Commission should consider expanding performance appraisal for teachers in secondary schools. In addition, all stakeholders should participate in capacity building programmes to strengthen the performance management process. Finally, further research to develop a performance management model for schools is essential.