Andrews University's commitment to teacher improvement is evidenced by the availability of instructional materials and assistance in using them, and in its faculty development program that includes a new teacher seminar and a Committee on Instruction and Research. Faculty evaluation is the logical outcome of the program. (JMD)

Research on the validity of student rating scales of teacher performance is inconsistent, and the issue of why the scales are used needs examination. Until their criterion validity is raised to correlations of .7 to .8 or construct validity can be established, results should not be used in making tenure decisions. (MSE)

Suggestions for improving the design and use of student evaluation forms include tailoring the forms to the class needs and format, wording statements carefully, training students to evaluate performance, allowing ample time for completion, handling the evaluation procedure without involvement of the professor, and eliminating student anonymity.…

Combining period objectives and base evaluations creates an environment of continuing education in a well-functioning college. Specific and measurable attainment can be documented under the heading of "Period Objectives" including: preparation and publication of articles, performance of research projects, and presentation of scholarly papers. (MLW)

Student evaluations, often ignored, are a valuable evaluative method for teachers. (PG)

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)

A study is discussed that examined: the instructional weaknesses and strengths of a teacher education curriculum course, the specific teaching behaviors that students liked and disliked, and specific recommendations which students felt would promote greater teacher effectiveness and improve learning. (Author/MLW)

The correlation between teaching excellence and research efforts is investigated in a study done at the University of Maryland. Data suggest that productive faculty--as evidenced by their writings, addresses, and external funding--are among those identified by both their students and their professional colleagues as proficient instructors. (MLW)