Faculty professional public service is undervalued at most institutions. Among the problems are definition of service, methods of and criteria for evaluation of the quality or value of service, and faculty exposure or visibility. Steps to be taken to raise the value and the rewards of faculty public service efforts are suggested. (MSE)

The extension of Title VII to college faculty provided a mechanism for relief in cases where faculty were denied reappointment, promotion, or tenure for reasons unrelated to their job performance. The standards of review in Title VII cases and the court's role in academic Title VII cases are discussed. (MLW)

Sweeney is the first higher education case in which a court overruled unanimous peer recommendation against promotion and tenure. The possible implications for the peer review or collegial model of making faculty promotion and tenure decisions are examined, and more thorough and objective decision methods are recommended. (MSE)

The role of faculty colleagues in the evaluation of college teaching is not defined adequately. A distinction needs to be made between summative evaluation conducted for administrative decisions such as pay increases, promotion, and tenure, and formative evaluations designed to improve teaching. (MLW)

As colleges and universities seek to raise attention to teaching, peer review offers distinct advantages, especially for faculty eager to reduce classroom isolation and collaborate in improvement. It also presents political and methodological challenges and presumes significantly different roles for faculty in improving quality of student…

If faculty peer review of teaching is to overcome institutional marginalization, its formative and summative components must use rules, criteria, and standards for effective teaching that are agreed upon by faculty in the academic unit. This conversation clarifies expectations for curriculum, teaching, and student learning. Only such a process can…

Significant changes that have occurred in the evaluation of overall faculty performance and classroom teaching performance between 1983 and 1988 are discussed from the viewpoint of a 1988 study that surveyed all accredited, four-year undergraduate, liberal arts colleges listed in the "Higher Education Directory". For years, faculty evaluation has…

Faculty in a medium-sized (20 to 30 member) college department were rated as teachers by their students, departmental colleagues, and departmental chairperson. Departmental faculty were also rated as researchers by their departmental colleagues. Several ratings and ranking techniques were employed over a three-year period. Colleague ratings of…

The use of peer evaluation in assessing teaching effectiveness is discussed and two techniques that utilize peer evaluation are explained in this paper. Peer evaluation is viewed as a comprehensive measure of teaching effectiveness and a necessary supplement to student evaluation of teacher performance. It is suggested that this method be carried…

A national survey of the faculty evaluation methods and criteria used in colleges of pharmacy in the United States looks at student evaluation of teaching, peer evaluation, administrative ratings, alumni ratings, and review by teaching experts. The resulting guidelines for teaching evaluation, based on teaching activities and measures, are…

Student interviews provide valuable input into peer evaluation of teaching. The University of Georgia and Stanford University (California) have explored ways of using student interviews to gain student perspectives. The two approaches are compared here, with similarities and differences examined. Aspects of teaching that are best reflected upon by…

Designed for faculty members at Beaufort Technical College (BTC) in South Carolina, this handbook describes the college's faculty evaluation process and procedures. The first sections of the handbook explain the rationale and method for the faculty evaluation process, state the purposes and objectives of the system, and offer a model which breaks…

The objectives and techniques of faculty evaluation are examined. It is suggested that the reasons for the evaluation process play a significant role in how such evaluations are perceived by all involved and how successful the process will be in reaching the objectives of the evaluation process. Four specific competencies that can be evaluated…

A system of faculty evaluation is described that is based on a hierarchy of assessment stages: foundation (reviewing work goals, standards, and results), peer evaluation, self-assessment, administrator appraisal, and arbitration committee. Checks and balances ensure accuracy of evaluation. (MSE)

Describes the peer observation program developed by faculty at California State University, Dominguez Hills, its structure and adaptations, outcomes, and recommendations for development of formative peer observation programs. The program helps reduce faculty professional isolation by providing an informal structure for discussion of teaching and…