Peer Evaluation of Resident Instruction

Peer evaluation of classroom instruction is important for faculty with teaching responsibilities who anticipate promotion to the rank of Associate or Full Professor. Teaching evaluation is done by a committee of three faculty with significant experience in resident instruction. Committee membership is to include faculty from departments other than the instructor's academic home. Committee membership by adjunct or non regular academic faculty is appropriate. The Committee is to be assigned by the Chair of the instructor's academic home. The instructor to be evaluated is to provide the Committee with copies of the course syllabus and any lecture handouts or notes used. The purpose of this evaluation is to determine the effectiveness of the instructor and the appropriateness of the educational materials used in the class. The Committee's written evaluation will be submitted as part of the dossier submitted by the instructor for promotion to the Associate or Full Professor rank.

Each committee member is encouraged to attend several sessions when the instructor under evaluation is making classroom presentations. The Committee will then meet to compare notes and discuss impressions and recommendations for improvement. In addition, the Committee is encouraged to meet with three students (chosen by the Committee with input by the Instructor) who are familiar with the instructor's abilities in the classroom. A prepared question-and-answer session with these students is to be followed by a free exchange of information. The Committee will then integrate all available information into a report in the following format, which is archived in the faculty member's departmental file.