This study investigated student points of view in their ratings of specific courses and instructors by analyzing student responses within each of three classes separately, and then sought to generalize the results further by additional analyses, with 300 students randomly selected from 402 classes in five colleges. Different points of view were…

Investigated whether mean expected grades and the level of difficulty/workload in courses, as related by students, unduly influence student ratings of instruction. Data for more than 50,000 courses were analyzed. Courses rated at the "just right" level received the highest evaluations. (SLD)

Although college faculty may hesitate to evaluate each others' teaching, it is a sensible alternative to evaluation by students or by administrators. Peer evaluations are not only useful for improving teaching, but also affect promotion and tenure decisions. When faculty are rated by observation, repeated visits and rater training are required in…

A national survey was made of faculty development and teacher improvement programs, considering: how effective they tend to be, the types of faculty most involved, and how programs are funded and organized. Results are presented, and the need for objective evaluation of such programs is noted. (LBH)

When student ratings of instruction are used by instructors as a source of feedback on their teaching, some changes are made by the instructor; better interpretation of the results would probably improve this; thus a well-designed student ratings program can benefit more than harm the academic community. (Author/JM)

The purpose of this study was to further investigate college teachers' self-ratings and ratings given by students by comparing these two sets of ratings over a wide range of specific student-oriented instructional practices. (Author)

Methods and reasons for evaluating teaching are discussed, and an experimental study of the effectiveness of students' ratings of teachers is described. The two main reasons for evaluating teaching as given in this paper are (1) to help make decisions about whom to promote, and (2) to improve instruction. In the experimental study, five diverse…

Identified are four groups of faculty development practices based on their use among 756 colleges and universities: traditional practices; instructional assistance practices; those that emphasized the assessment of faculty; and those involving many faculty in improvement activities. Practices judged effective, and the organization and funding are…

Faculty development programs vary considerably, as the results of a recent survey of 756 colleges and universities indicate. Activities related to instruction improvement and personal development are being handled by (1) workshops and seminars, (2) analysis or assessment by students, colleagues, or videotape, (3) activities using technology or…

The relationship between research productivity and teaching effectiveness was studied in 1979 and 1980 by considering faculty members at different career stages and in different academic fields. Two samples of faculty members were evaluated: 2,973 from 61 four-year institutions and 1,623 at 10 four-year colleges and universities that emphasized…

College teachers' self-ratings were investigated in this study by comparing them to ratings given by students. The sample consisted of 343 teaching faculty from five colleges; these teachers, as well as the students in one of their classes, responded to 21-item instructional report questionnaire. Correlating teacher responses to each item with the…

This book addresses the legal implications of reappointment, promotion and tenure decisions bearing on college faculty with an emphasis on how understanding the relevant legal principles can inform practice. It uses scenarios and cases to illustrate the conflict between institutional and individual rights and the potential legal problems…

This digest of a full report with the same title reviews the literature on the legal implications of college faculty reappointment, promotion, and tenure decisions, with an emphasis on how an understanding of the relevant legal principles can inform practice. It briefly summarizes issues in the following areas: the role of the courts in…