The Association of American Law Schools' statement on faculty tenure reviews tenure-related issues and results of a national study of tenure policies and practices. Issues discussed include the end of mandatory retirement, alternatives to tenure, faculty evaluation criteria, probationary period, and confidentiality. (MSE)

This study investigated the relationship between specific teacher evaluation items and course rating by students (n=1,064) at the University of Yaounde (Cameroon). Results suggest variables (such as student increase in interest during the course, overall course organization, and student perceptions of what they are gaining) are most predictive of…

A study identified the characteristics of effective teachers in a problem-based medical course. Students (n=44) saw significant differences in faculty's skills, methods, and classroom management, rating them highest on classroom participation, enthusiasm, and comfort outside their expertise and lowest on providing feedback and addressing…

At Illinois College of Optometry a peer-review committee evaluates the exams of both basic science and clinical courses to provide an objective means of evaluating a faculty member's teaching ability. Five aspects of the exam (content, construction, statistical analysis, adjusted questions, instructor's rationale) are evaluated to determine the…

Reviews the literature on faculty evaluation to define how different purposes and competing values have produced two approaches. A procedural approach relies upon both self-evaluation and appraisals by peers, administrators, and students. The developmental approach rests upon teaching portfolios, dossiers, and self-evaluations. Contains 23…

Explores new forms of publication that are gaining wider use in scholarly communities, including on-line journals, listservs and other on-line discussion groups, and self-publishing. Discusses how these are influencing the kinds of scholarship taking place in on-line contexts and how they raise new questions about criteria used for academic…

Discussion of the qualities that characterize effective teachers looks at research on exemplary instructors, including studies of students' memories of good teachers, observational studies, nominations for teaching awards, and comparison with average and poor instructors. The common factor is the ability to offer presentations in clearly organized…

Research on use of student evaluations of faculty as a source of information on good teaching is reviewed, and the differential importance of criteria expressed in the rating forms is discussed. It is concluded that while the data in the evaluations can have varied interpretations, they can also be an important source of information for…

Argues that judicial deference to a university's denial of tenure based on an allegedly unclear accent may be unjust. Discusses: (1) the usual tenure process; (2) Title VII action and academic deference; (3) evidence that inherent bias against accents in the classroom hurts non-white instructors; and (4) proposed action for courts and…

In 1996-97 the New England College of Optometry revised the faculty promotion and tenure process by recognizing the diverse and unique contributions of all faculty. The redefined process is structured to accommodate ongoing changes within the academic community. The institution's governance structure, guiding principles for tenure and promotion,…

Analyzes the role informal student-faculty interaction plays in the success of science and math students in community colleges. Categorizes direct, indirect, and total causal effects of job, family, timework, gender, informal student-faculty interaction, and quality of effort. States that the findings support the theory that informal interaction…

Reports on a study of 380 students and 18 instructors that examined the effects of gender and expected course grades on faculty evaluation. Finds that (1) female instructors were rated better than males; (2) expected course grades significantly affected the ratings students gave; and (3) female students gave better ratings than males did.…

This study of full-time teachers in the further education (FE) sector in England was carried out in 1998. Initially the author interviewed the Personnel Manager of a large FE college about the recent implementation of a job evaluation scheme. A preliminary study interviewed seven teachers about what they had done for work the previous day, and…

In many schools and districts, teacher evaluation is poorly conducted, or even disparaged or ignored altogether. This handbook advocates a new approach to teacher evaluation--a cooperative effort undertaken by a group of professionals. Evaluation can reassure teachers that they are doing good and valued jobs, give security and status to…

For the past 13 years, the Verde Valley Campus of Yavapai College, in Arizona, has used the same system to evaluate part-time faculty in an effort to both maintain quality control and provide feedback to part-time faculty and address their concerns. The system utilizes two instruments to gather evaluative data. The first is used to determine…