Student Ratings and Teacher Effectiveness: A Reappraisal

Abstract

A new conceptualization of the student rating method, incorporating the degree of discrepancy between the students' ratings of the characteristics of their ideal (desired) as well as of their real (actual) course instructor, was developed for the purpose of exploring the validity of using student ratings in assessing teacher effectiveness. Movement scores derived from a pre and post testing of course-related content were used to operationalize teaching effectiveness. The study found that the ideal or desired teacher characteristics reflected in the students' ratings were largely consistent with previous research findings. No significant correlations, however, were found between discrepancy scores and movement scores. Additionally, all correlations were positive. Both findings suggest caution in how student ratings are used.