Longer teacher evaluations, more problems

The problem with the new teacher evaluation forms is timing. It doesn't matter if the current forms are short and uninformative and the Faculty Personnel Policies Council wants them to be long and detailed. It's not how long that counts, it's what time they are distributed for completion. 

For students to take valuable time to truthfully answer 47 questions that include assessment of the students' progress and an evaluation of their attitude and behavior, is asking too much. 

The usual 15 minutes at the end of the class is not enough time to complete the eight questions on the current questionnaire, so it's unreasonable to expect a student to complete an additional 39 questions in that time frame. 

Questions on the form should be limited to the performance of the teacher, the books chosen for the class and the materials assigned to students. The shorter form is all that is needed to collect this information. 

If the longer form that includes questions about behavior patterns and attitudes must be used, it should be given out during a regular class period with an impartial instructor present to guide students. 

What student is going to say "I am to blame for my failing grades because my attitude is bad?" Is the student being evaluated for tenure, promotion or a raise? 

A better form and plan are needed if students are expected to evaluate the teacher, the materials and do a psychological test on themselves. 

The longer form will cost three times as much money as the shorter form, and the answers will be less reflective of the student voice. Before spending that much money, an evaluation should be done of the whole process. 

E-mail questionnaires would be cheaper and can be done at the student's leisure, away from the pressure of getting to the next class. Set aside a few computers in the library so anomynity can be retained, assign time slots according to last names or give out numbers. 

The next best solution is to save time for everybody and not burden students with evaluations. Let faculty evaluate themselves.