In answer to why faculty and administrators rely on quantification of faculty performance (i.e., productivity measures), two reasons are given: (1) it is the only evaluation that is persuasive to a democratic audience (the public); and (2) it is better than none at all. (MSE)

Describes seven principles for developing a workable system for evaluation of college teaching, and provides both process and decision matrixes for groups interested in building such a system for their own evaluation. Argues that the system must be safe, explicit, manageable, formative, and satisfy environmental demands for accountability and…

Suggests ways of improving the effectiveness of the Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA) in raising the quality of university teaching, including: (1) the wide reporting of more accurate teaching performance indicators; and (2) a revised university funding model in which university income is based on teaching performance indicators. (EV)

Asserts that veterinary medicine needs greater participation by minority groups to incorporate their worldview into the field. Discusses how this community-oriented view is at odds with the manner in which the academy typically assesses performance, and why teaching and service should therefore be more readily and effectively evaluated and…

Although publishing has been the sole form of faculty scholarship rewarded, alternative forms should be encouraged and used in evaluating faculty. Scholarly work, the best way for college teachers to keep vitalized, can be assessed as effectively as traditional research activities. (Author/MSE)

A discussion of reward programs to recognize effective teaching looks first at the nature of existing award systems, and outlines key considerations in development of the awards, including aspects of teaching to be honored, evidence on which selections are based, and selection processes. Suggestions made by several award recipients on how to…

Between August 1973 and September 1976, a study was conducted of the process of assessing faculty in Oregon's colleges and universities. The two major objectives were to describe and analyze the factors influencing tenure and promotion decisions, and to develop incentive models to positively influence the quality of instruction. A faculty…

A model that integrates the systematic observation of student and teacher behaviors with an analysis of student achievement is presented. It assesses student learning and time use for a particular lesson and provides the instructor with immediate feedback that documents teaching effectiveness. (MLW)

Critiques a 1982 research report which related college students' emotions, course grades, and faculty teaching evaluations. Maintains that the design contained several limitations which impugn the validity of the conclusions drawn. (JDH)

Suggestions for improving the design and use of student evaluation forms include tailoring the forms to the class needs and format, wording statements carefully, training students to evaluate performance, allowing ample time for completion, handling the evaluation procedure without involvement of the professor, and eliminating student anonymity.…

How valid are subjective student evaluations of college instructions? An examination of my own experience and the experiences and controlled studies of other professionals suggest that subjective student evaluations demand a critical ability generally lacking in most college students, but particularly first- and second-year students. (Author)

This study examined whether the perceptions of faculty members at a southeastern university concerning the present evaluation system varies across academic colleges. The Survey of Faculty Evaluation was distributed to all full time faculty (N=530) and the 129 usable responses were analyzed using discriminant function classification. Respondents…

The Course Evaluation Scheme involved staff members from a variety of departments in the evaluation of one another's courses. Peer evaluation, as opposed to evaluation by senior colleagues, students or educational consultants, makes this scheme potentially most acceptable to staff for assessing university teaching. (CE)

A survey of 31 instructional leaders in higher education investigated their perceptions of the importance of 26 teaching competencies in effective college instruction. Results confirmed that, for the most part, these competencies were considered essential and were found comparable to competencies identified for teaching assistants in previous…

Research with 96 undergraduates investigated interpretations of a global-evaluation item common to student evaluation forms. Through narratives and semistructured interviews, students described classroom experiences, beliefs about good teaching, and aspects of the evaluation process that influencing their ratings. The item produced multiple…