Should Students Be Able to Grade Their Teachers?

The author of the article

The author of the article

Natalie Suarez, Contributer

Teachers are constantly grading students on their achievements and performance. Why shouldn’t students be allowed to do the same? These teachers are implementing a service to students on a daily basis, so without any feedback from their students, how can we possibly evaluate the quality of teachers’ work? As humans, we tend to dislike any sort of criticism even if it’s helpful. However, this type of positive and constructive feedback is necessary when trying to help teachers enhance the way they teach. 

Having students grade their teachers would allow teachers to measure their own performance. Have you noticed how at school, teachers are evaluated only by administrators? Since teachers are aware that they are being watched during these evaluations, they are trying their hardest to leave a good impression. This may not accurately depict the teacher’s everyday lessons. As a result, students, the ones actually experiencing these lessons daily, have the best insight into how their instruction can be improved. If students are given the opportunity to contribute with feedback, their professors will be able to understand what is and what isn’t working for the class.

This proposed system can also improve the student and teacher relationship. Since it is centered around constructive feedback, this system would establish a comfortable environment where can students state their opinions and teachers can better understand how to help their students.

Lastly, this grading scale gives teachers accountability. Teachers should have a right to handle their education environment with proper knowledge, perspective, and judgment. However, the only way to determine how they should do this is through student feedback. One cannot simply state a letter grade such as A or F, and then expect great improvement. When considering whether to give students the power to grade their teachers, we should place an emphasis on actual commentary feedback, instead of a simple letter grade. 

Nevertheless, there could be some voluntary response bias. Imagine a scenario where a student does not like their teacher. The student can give a bad score, instead of actually providing constructive feedback. When dealing with some students, especially middle schoolers and underclassmen, there is a lack of maturity. Some may be too immature to actually give correct feedback about their teachers’ performance.

Teachers should be aware of how their students feel regarding their teaching methods. Student feedback would allow teachers to assess their own progress.  Although some may lack maturity when evaluating teachers, students’ feedback is the most helpful because it comes from the perspective of someone who actually observes their teaching style daily. Installing this system will improve the school system, as teachers’ adaptations will allow students to better receive the material being taught.