The same day I began preparing the results of my faculty evaluation for publication on my web site, I read Scott Jaschik’s “Could RateMyProfessors.com Be Right?” in which he reported on Theodore Coladarci and Irv Kornfield’s study, “RateMyProfessors.com versus Formal In-Class Student Evaluations of Teaching,” which was published in Practical Assessment, Research and Evaluation.¹

One of the recommendations which Drs. Coladarci and Kornfield make is that colleges publish the formal evaluations of their faculty members. They acknowledge that “Although students doubtless would applaud this move, many faculty would oppose it because of genuine concerns about privacy and the negative consequences.”

As someone who has already published the portfolio he submitted for his evaluation and who is almost ready to publish the results of his evaluation, I have concerns about mandating publication of evaluations.

First, scores often need a context. For example, when I list the scores I received, I also list the statistical validity. Because of a variety in response rate, the scores for various sections range from fairly reliable, marginally reliable, and unreliable.

Second, even if the college were to provide this information for students, it is unlikely that they would not be able to provide a context for the written comments; something I was able to do on my web site. I did not respond to most student comments, but I was able to correct some factual information such as when a student incorrectly claimed I had required a novel in my history class.

Furthermore, because of my blog, I was able to deal with issues raised in the evauations. For students to really appreciate the impact of the evaluations, they need to be able to see my reflections on them.

Third, evalautions do not show current professional development. A faculty member who had a problem which was idenfied in his/her evalution might have the problem corrected before the next semester. Although it was not mentioned on my formal evaluation, two student postings to RateMyProfessors.com can serve as an example. These two students rightly criticized the course schedule that was part of my syllabus. At the time these students posted their comments, I had already devised a solution to the problem. In fact, I had even discussed the solution with my students in that class.

Finally, there is the issue of currency. At Schoolcraft College, after their probation has ended, faculty are only evaluated every five years. Evaluations that could be two or three or four or five years old would not be very helpful to students. Because of this problem, I have requested that student evaluations be taken during Spring 2007 and I plan to make a similar request for my 2007-2008 classes.²

In arguing against mandatory publication of faculty evaluations, my concern is that colleges would be temped to simply publish a list of scores. Instead, I think that faculty members should be provided with the resources to make their evaluations—as well as their course materials—available on-line.

The combination of evaluations, faculty reflection, and course materials helps eliminate the void which RateMyProfessor.com fills for many students. The combination of these resources also provides substantive information students can use to make an informed decision about a course they plan to take.

–Steven L. Berg, PhD

---

---

---

¹I cite Mr. Jaschik’s secondary source because I think that it is worth taking time to read the reactions that faculty and students have published in response to the issues raised in Dr. Coladarci and Dr. Kornfield’s article.

¹Because I just made this request yesterday afternooon, I do not yet have a response to my request.