The evolution and design of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln's departmental system of teaching awards are outlined. Ways of rewarding outstanding teaching are suggested, including promotion, tenure, merit pay, increasing nominations for teaching awards, faculty development leaves for teaching, provision of special resources beyond the usual…

Means of honoring teaching at the United States Military Academy (New York) are discussed. The internal debate over teaching awards within this specific academic culture, in which faculty are mostly military officers, is examined and alternatives for honoring teaching are explored. Currently, a teaching academy provides faculty development in…

To make merit-pay plans work, a district's teacher-evaluation system must be both summative and formative--evaluating both for teacher outcomes and for progressive improvement. Only peer-mediated self-appraisal systems seem able to meet such a challenge. Fairly rewarded merit-pay plans depend on accurate teacher evaluations. However, teacher…

This article examines first discusses the three components of clinical supervision: (1) the planning conference; (2) the six steps of observation; and (3) the meeting with the teacher to analyze and interpret data as well as to reach decisions about alternatives, changes, and resolutions for future efforts by the teacher. Four approaches involving…

A consultation method for analyzing and improving college instruction is described, along with views about the program by 10 faculty participants. The method employs two consultants and is based solely on individual consultation, teaching observations, and detailed critique. An initial meeting with the instructor addresses the individual's…

Increasinq emphasis in higher education on teaching and learning as well as on research and development has occurred. Several publications are cited concerning faculty development projects that help to identify change strategies. The success of a particular strategy for improving teaching and learning is dependent on the acceptance and enthusiasm…

In order to determine whether student evaluation of faculty performance is related to the grade received by the student, a study was conducted in a large lecture class at William Rainey Harper College (Illinois). Of 300 students, 75 were systematically selected for the sample. The students were asked to list all courses for which they were…

This report deals with an evaluation experiment which attempted to discover the relationship between specific types of teacher behavior and success in teaching as shown by student progress in relation to defined objectives. In 708 undergraduate classes at Kansas State University, students rated their progress in gaining factual knowledge, learning…

The study was carried out to assess the extent of agreement as to the validity of the Faculty Evaluative Criteria used in the College of Education at Florida Technological University. The assessment was carried out among students, faculty, and administrators. The implementation of collective bargaining and declining state revenue for higher…

This paper discusses variables associated with student evaluation of teaching scores and comments on the use of multiple regression analysis as a tool for adjusting raw scores for factors essentially beyond the control of the instructor when ratings are used to reward teaching performance. (Author/RM)

Two types of research, general theoretical and specific practical, are involved in the evaluation and improvement of university teaching. Not all faculty members can or will carry out general theoretical research, although they can benefit from its findings. However, all can and should carry out specific practical research on their own teaching.…

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…

Four competencies of superior teachers are seen as a basis for the ideal environment to nurture excellence. They are: a student-centered orientation, value for the learning process, a need to influence individual behavior, and a belief that they possess the power to produce a desired effect in the learner. (MLW)

Shows how a mastery teaching program was applied to one Iowa school district to improve and evaluate teacher performance. Emphasizes the principal's role in such a program. (JW)

This document presents the results of a forum on faculty evaluation that took place at the 1999 conference of the American Association of Community Colleges. Thirty-four persons participated in the dialogue, including 31 Deans, Vice-Presidents of Instruction or Students, and Presidents; and 3 faculty members. Participants were asked to respond to…