Skip to the content

Kansas State University

Preserving the integrity of student ratings of teaching

 

"University policy requires that results of student ratings not be returned to faculty members until after the semester deadline for submitting grades." (University Handbook, Section C34.4)

This means that:

  • Faculty members should not be present while students complete the survey forms.
  • Faculty members should not collect the survey forms.
  • Faculty members should not review the survey forms nor receive processed reports before the deadline for submitting grades.
Regardless of the form or system used, a faculty member who conducts an early evaluation to develop mid-semester strategies for improvement must inform the students that he/she will see the results before grades have been submitted.

"Regardless of the form or system used, the results or reports shall be returned only to the faculty member unless that individual has provided signed authorization to release the results to others." (University Handbook, Section C34.4)

This policy applies to whatever unit processes the reports (e.g., the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, a department) and whatever unit receives the results (e.g., a department). Written comments from students are considered to be part of the "results."

In normal circumstances, the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning returns to the faculty member both copies of TEVAL and IDEA reports and the student survey forms in a sealed envelope that is stamped "Confidential" on the front and the back. Unless the faculty member has given signed authorization to do so, no one else should open that envelope.

There are times when a faculty member provides the Center with specific, signed authorization to release the results to others prior to submitting grades for the course. In those instances, the Center sends one copy to whomever the faculty member designates. The second copy is later sent to the faculty member in a sealed envelope stamped "Confidential" on the front and the back.

"Student ratings of classroom instruction are an important source information in the evaluation of teaching effectiveness, provided that the format includes controls for student motivation and other possible bias." (University Handbook, Section C34.1)

Both the TEVAL System and the IDEA System, which are available at K-State through the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, provide the required controls for student motivation and other possible bias. Meeting this requirement requires that a report be processed by the Center. Tallying the results is not sufficient.

"Student ratings should never be the only source of information about classroom teaching." (University Handbook, Section C34.2)

Suggestions of ways to develop a more comprehensive approach to the evaluation of teaching effectiveness are noted in the University Handbook, Section C34.2. Effective Faculty Evaluation: Annual Salary Adjustment, Tenure and Promotion (the 'blue book') provides a list of data sources that could be used to evaluate teaching effectiveness. This guide was developed as a resource for faculty and administrators and distributed to all departments in 1992.

You can find the policy and procedures for the use of student ratings (TEVAL, IDEA, or other systems) in the University Handbook, Section C34.1-34.5.

You are encouraged to download and distribute this page and the relevant section of the University Handbook to your faculty.