Participation by Wilkes College in the Pennsylvania Regional Instructional System for Education (PRISE) Regional Cooperative Computing Activities program for the period July 1971 through June 1974 is summarized, and problems and successes identified. Loss of faculty members trained in the program and loss of interest of some of the others because…

Effects of course characteristics on student ratings in a variety of instructional situations were examined. Data were collected from 1,777 classes in five departments at all levels of instruction over three years. Overall results confirmed generally accepted trends, but in some departments at particular levels of instruction, relationships varied…

Highlights research which analyzes administrative response to unsatisfactory faculty performance at 158 western public community colleges. Results showed a narrow range of strategies used by administrators to respond to hypothetical personnel situations, with dismissal and counseling most used. (AYC)

To determine differences in assessment, preservice teachers and school administrators were asked to evaluate a teacher's lesson plans and videotaped teaching session. Findings indicated rating differences for teacher communication and organization, feedback, content selection, and student evaluation and rating similarities for teacher ability to…

A meta-analysis of studies examining the criterion validity of student course evaluation data is discussed. Results indicate that the overall size of effect is not only highly significant, but also very meaningful when analyzed in relation to enhancing the likelihood of making more accurate tenure decisions. (Author/MLW)

This document summarizes a national study of how U.S. community colleges evaluate tenured professors. The report begins with an introduction to the current status of post-tenure evaluation and outlines the common arguments that frame the debate on the purpose and necessity of evaluating tenured faculty. The authors describe current assessment…

A study measured teaching effectiveness by level of agreement between student and faculty perceptions of the teachers' instructional behavior attributes and use of them. Results show little agreement between faculty and students on five attributes. Implications for instructional evaluation and for improving teaching are drawn. (MSE)

Factors that influence student evaluation of teaching are analyzed. Evaluations carried out at Wilfrid Laurier University show that grades granted by instructors do not relate significantly to the evaluations of that instructor by students. Factors that do relate include early morning classes, small classes, optional subjects, and senior classes.…

Examines perspectives of faculty leaders regarding current evaluation practices for tenured faculty in the nation's community colleges. Notes that results closely resemble findings from research in the early nineties, wherein faculty reported that policies existed in all of the 930 institutions surveyed, but that their effectiveness was suspect.…

The objective of this study was to develop a scale to assess college-level teaching effectiveness in order to provide effective feedback for faculty in a nonthreatening atmosphere. (JOW)

A broad description and critique of assessment activities in colleges and universities is presented. The ideals of assessment are discussed along with organizational realities that temper and restrain them. Suggested strategies for practicing assessment that reduces perils and enhances contributions are provided. (MLW)

Part of a national project on college faculty peer review in 12 institutions, this study drew on faculty's self-reflective commentaries, artifacts of instruction, and observation of discipline-specific (history and chemistry) group discussions to investigate what peers value most in teaching. Results and their implications for peer reviewers,…

Reports on a study of 78 letters of recommendation for a higher education teaching position comparing letters written by women and men. Finds that the letters are written differently and vary by the applicant's gender. Also finds that women are much more likely than men to describe collegiality than intellect. (CFR)

Reports on a survey investigating instructional technology knowledge and experience in the faculty of a midwestern university. Results showed that faculty had the highest levels of knowledge and experience with word processing and video and used these most frequently. The importance of technology and the influences of educational environment,…

Reports on a study of the impact of student evaluations of higher education economics instructors on faculty behavior and grades. Finds that initially grades increased but then declined over a nine-year period. Recommends further research on this issue. (CFR)