The Impact of a Teacher Staying with the Same Students for Multiple Years – “Looping.”

Looping is the pedagogical practice of a teacher moving to the next grade level with their students. This study investigated academic growth of looped students compared with matched non-looped students in reading and math: grades kindergarten/first, reading data from the TERRA NOVA; grades five/six, reading and math data from the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA). Perceptions of looping were gained from surveys of students (22), parents (22), and teachers (4). Findings reveal 95% of participants reported positive perceptions. Academic growth was shown as non-significant in reading. Math growth in looped fifth/sixth graders was significant. The discovered themes are discussed and also connection of looping to compliance of the No Child Left Behind Act