Teaching and course evaluations are distributed at the end of each school term.
Beginning Spring 2006, paper and scantron forms were replaced with online electronic submissions. Evaluations submitted electronically are stored separately from any identifiable information, and are presented in a completely anonymous manner to professors and administrative staff. Authentication is required for submitting evaluations only to ensure that only one evaluation is submitted per student per class. Professors and administrative staff have access to the anonymous evaluations including the comments, but have no way to associate an evaluation with a specific student other than the text submitted by the student.
Students are asked to evaluate both the teacher and the class on a scale of 1-5 for most questions and 1-7 on the "Overall Teaching Effectiveness of This Instructor" question. Comments submitted in addition are encouraged.
Copies are sent to the lecturers and professors after their grades have been turned in.
Before the beginning of the next semester, those instructors who have given their permission have their evaluation scores posted on the web. The scores are password protected and only the students have access to them. Student comments are not posted, and will be available only to professors and administrative staff.
The information gathered from the students is used to improve the quality of teaching at Boalt hall. They are a valuable tool and an important resource.
