A study investigated the relative importance of refereed and nonrefereed publications in faculty tenure and promotion decisions at 26 English-speaking Canadian graduate colleges, faculties, and schools of education. Results show publication in refereed journals as significantly more important than in nonrefereed serials. (MSE)

Presents several common misperceptions about student evaluation of college faculty members. Asserts that it is essential to examine the operational processes used to measure effective teaching. Discusses the role of research, the importance of sociology, and the utility of standardized assessments of student learning in faculty evaluation. (CFR)

A survey of 109 faculty in a private university investigated attitudes about merit pay. Results suggest need for changes in the design, implementation, and evaluation of merit pay systems. Recommendations are made for faculty input, accommodation of departmental preferences, group incentives, performance standards, professional development,…

A teaching portfolio is to document, over an extended period of time, the full range of one's abilities as a college teacher. Seven dimensions can be documented: what is taught; how it is taught; changes in teaching and course activities; academic rigor; student attitudes; skill development efforts; peer assessment. (MSE)

A study examined differences in the clinical teaching of 21 medical residents and 19 attending physicians in 2 settings: inpatient care and lectures. Results indicated that ratings were generally similar for the two groups, but setting was a significant source of variance. Self-assessments were similar. Implications for instruction are discussed.…

Asserts that the presumption that student evaluation of teacher performance will eliminate poor or below-average teachers is dubious. Maintains that student evaluation is less harmful than peer evaluation. Argues that student evaluation is one of several factors that contribute to the decline of U.S. universities. (CFR)

A discussion of the new scrutiny of faculty tenure by legislators and governing boards presents the views of four critics of traditional tenure. Topics addressed include problems associated with tenure, financial and educational perspectives on faculty productivity, possible alternatives to tenure, and implications for academic freedom.…

A training need analysis of the position of university lecturer, undertaken at Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand), identified 10 key roles encompassing the range of expected teaching activities and a faculty development program to address them. Findings have also been integrated into the university's quality management system. Uses of…

Research indicates that colleagues, administrators, students, and alumni have all identified similar general characteristics of effective college teachers and teaching and can make valid evaluations of individual teachers. A proposed process for identifying teaching award winners has two stages: (1) nomination using a rating and description form;…

Applies the theory of planned behavior to understanding faculty attitudes regarding the provision of academic adjustments to students with disabilities. Examines the behavioral, normative, and control beliefs that underlie the components of the theory to provide information about appropriate methods of intervention to positively influence faculty…

This paper examines how institutions of higher education might operationalize faculty performance evaluation in terms of research, teaching, and university and community service. An analytic hierarchy process model is developed and presented, allowing decision makers to couple performance evaluation and academic reward/awards and recognitions…

The media has recently exposed that grade inflation is a concern for higher education in North America. Grade inflation may be due to consumerism by universities that now compete for students. Keeping students happy (and paying) may have been emphasized more than learning. We review the literature on faculty evaluation and present a model that…

As a consequence of the suspension of a system of yearly evaluations of individual courses with student questionnaires, the University of Leuven organised a broad consultation of the academic community focussing on what they expect from a system based on student feedback. The study revealed that this community attaches great importance to a clear…

As part of the annual program review reporting process, colleges in the Illinois Community College System are asked to respond to specific questions regarding current programs provided in an addendum to the state Program Review Guide. This report provides the additional questions for the 1995-96 program review in three sections. The first section…

This is a summary of the 120 bills and resolutions related to higher education and passed by the 1996 session of the Virginia General Assembly. Bills address issues affecting all of Virginia higher education as well as those specifically affecting the Council of Higher Education. Brief summaries of each bill follow a listing of all the higher…