Name: Teachers need real feedback
Uploaded: 2013-05-08T15:01:20Z
Duration: 10 min 7 s
Description: Until recently, many teachers only got one word of feedback a year: "satisfactory." And with no feedback, no coaching, there's just no way to improve. Bill Gates suggests that even great teachers can get better with smart feedback -- and lays out a program from his foundation to bring it to every classroom.

Bill Gates: Teachers need real feedback

Teachers need real feedback

Until recently, many teachers only got one word of feedback a year: "satisfactory." And with no feedback, no coaching, there's just no way to improve. Bill Gates suggests that even great teachers can get better with smart feedback -- and lays out a program from his foundation to bring it to every classroom.

Most teachers receive almost no meaningful feedback, with over 98 percent once getting only the word 'satisfactory' each year. Without coaching, even dedicated educators struggle to improve or identify best practices. In top-performing countries, teachers regularly observe each other, discuss strategies, and get actionable advice. Building a system that supports teacher growth could transform classrooms, boost student outcomes, and strengthen society.