The federal Department of Education just released a study of 63 schools in seven states which looked at student testing results from teachers who graduated from traditional certification channels versus those who qualified through alternative or lateral entry programs.

The study found “no statistical difference” in student performance when taught by an alternative-certified teacher instead of a traditionally-certified teacher; no difference whether the alternative certification program required more or less hours of coursework; and no difference linked to the content of the teacher’s coursework — including whether the teacher had majored in education or some other field.

The one significant difference was that math students scored 4.9% lower on tests if their alternatively-certified teacher was loaded up with continuing coursework at the time. In other words, if the teacher had too much homework, their students suffered. The study did not ask if the same effect was observed for traditionally-certified teachers pursuing graduate degrees while teaching.