Is it right to pay a Teacher based on student evaluations?

Question

In utah there is a act that is being considered that says that teachers pay will be based on student evaluations of the teacher. It it on target?

Answer 1

No! Take my hubby for example...last semester, he had a teacher that he absolutely hated. If given the right to he would've evaluated this teacher horribly. Then, the teacher "retained him". He couldn't go ahead with the program until he re-took this teachers class and passed it (he only missed passing by about 2 pts). Hubby hated this teacher.

Now, he's re-taking the class. He's doing great and has come to realize that this is an awesome teacher that only wants his students to know and study the material. This teacher has become a great mentor.

All I'm saying is that if you pay based on student evaluations, where's the checks & balances system in that? Shouldn't it be based on our work and not potentially open to personal opinions? It seems to me that something of the sort could happen. There's plenty of awesome teachers that are just "hard" but sometimes the teachers some students can't get along with are the best.

Answer 2

Idealistically, yes it would be a good idea. The students sit in a teacher's class day in and day out. They know what the score is. They've been in school for a few years and at least know how to compare the teachers they've encountered. They know who's on the ball and who isn't. They also know the teachers with the easy grading curves too, or the ones that can be persuaded. A one class evaluation by an administrator cannot and should not be a determination of much of anything except maybe that the teacher showed up that day.
Practically speaking though, no, the students should not have any input by way of a real evaluation. They are too immature and could be subject to the whim of their mood that day or begrudge the teacher their grade from their last test or report card.
The best "student" evaluation would probably be from a former student who has had time to gain perspective and maturity. They can appreciate better what their former teachers did for them and how it impacted their lives.

Answer 3

I don't think its fair to pay a teacher based on student evaulations, because if a student earned a low grade, then he or she is more than likely to bash the teacher and give htem a terrible evaulation. I do think that college officials should look at evaluations more and if there is the same problem cropping up then they need to sit that professor down and ask him or her whats going on.

Answer 4

Personally, being a college student myself, i think that is a very stupid idea. Having doen these evaluations myself, and knowing what others put on them, most everyone treats them as a joke, if your class is hard, youll probably get a crappy review, if you give everyone easy tests and As and joke around and dont really teach youll get perfect reviews. Its absurd to base pay on those reviews because honestly theyre not accurate at all, and a great teacher wont get what they deserve.

Answer 5

Interesting.. I am wondering how old these students are?? Many younger students (up to highschool age) probably could be biased or have unfair evaluations.. (high praise for easy teachers.. or alot of complaints about ones that actually make you work) i dont' think its such a good idea..

Answer 6

Just ask yourself this-
Would the person who liked you the least be fair?
Would the person who liked you the most be fair?
Could they, especially when they have VERY LITTLE idea of what it takes to be a teacher or even to teach?
That would be like you sitting in an operating room rating a doctor on how well he did his operation, even though you probably have little clue as to what is really going on...
NO WAY would that work.

Answer 7

What type of schooling? I don't think this is a good thing. What happens if the students don't like the course or don't like you as a teacher and they are the ones judging you?!??! That sounds a little crazy!

Answer 8

No....I'll just pass everyone and give them inflated grades to get a better pay. SHould doctor be paid according to how many of their patients die? If so they wouldn't accept any life threatening cases.....ipso facto teacher would refuse to teach slower learners or kids with behavioural issues or a general apathy towards education.

Answer 9

Absolutely not. I hated my 5th grade teacher and would have slammed him in a review. He was TOUGH. Now I realize that I learned more from him than most.

Answer 10

I hope the Union grieves that and strikes. I can see an incentive program, but sometimes a class is just crap, and there is nothing you can do about it.