Many school systems use standardized test scores and observations by administrators to assess how teachers are performing in classrooms. Some schools in New Jersey have implemented another way to assess teachers by asking students in their classroom.
One of the options available to New Jersey school districts as they build teacher evaluation systems is including student surveys. Several districts have been part of the pilot program testing evaluation model that includes or plans to include student surveys, although not necessarily as part of a teacher’s grade.
If this program is introduced at Athens Drive High School it will significantly change productivity of students.
“I am intrigued by recent research indicating that they may be valid as one element of an approach that incorporates multiple indicator, at the same time, I share the concerns of some educators about student surveys, so would not want to take any steps in that direction without soliciting their views and perspective,” said Chris Cerf, State Education Commission.
If the system of grading teachers by the school students is introduced, the teachers and the administration of the school will come to know about the performance of the teachers. It will not only measure the satisfaction level of the students but also encourage the good teachers to continue their efforts and motivate themselves. It will also expose the teachers who are not doing enough, possibly to help correct the way they teach as well as their attitude towards students. Thus the quality of teaching will improve.
Teachers are accountable to students for creating a safe learning environment. They do this with their attitude, knowledge, maturity, sensitivity, respect, judgment, enthusiasm and connection.
Students have the first-hand experience with their educators and should be able to provide a grade on how they are performing. They are the best people who can give feedback and ratings. This will give schools input on which teachers should stay and who should go.
They could be used as suggestions so that something can be done if needed about educators who are making high school education an uncomfortable, inappropriate, or overly difficult experience. At the end of each school term, it should be required that students fill out evaluations of staff members.
Students evaluating teachers will give them an insight into the minds of the students and show whether the teachers are successful in getting their lessons understood by the students. It will evaluate whether the class atmosphere is conducive to aid their learning.
If Athens Drive High School were to evaluate teachers based on student evaluations this could improve standardized test scores by administration finding new ways to implement programs.
People argue that some students will give poor evaluations simply because their grade in the class is low, even if it is of their own doing. Students can be immature and may rank their educator on their own opinions. This can cause students to abuse the privilege for their own purposes, such as less homework. However, if the teacher is effective, that bad evaluation will simply be an outlier and can be one consideration among many when evaluating teachers.
Grading to measure performance is very common in all fields. So why not evaluate the performance of teachers in part by requiring the students to grade? Many times students have problems with a teacher’s attitude and complain about it but what they say do not carry any significance. The grading systems will make positive changes to the school.
